First-time effort supported by the Northrop Grumman Foundation.

EarthEcho International, a leading nonprofit organization dedicated to equipping youth with resources to act now for a sustainable future, invites middle school teachers to join Philippe Cousteau for an EarthEcho Expedition. Since 2013, EarthEcho Expeditions have leveraged the rich Cousteau legacy of exploration and discovery to bring science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education alive for today’s 21st century learners and their educators. This year, thanks to support from the Northrop Grumman Foundation, EarthEcho will, for the first time, include U.S. based middle school teachers in an exploration of water scarcity in Southern California alongside Philippe Cousteau, Jr. and the EarthEcho Expeditions team.

Philippe Cousteau Jr.’s EarthEcho International Invites Middle School Teachers to Examine Water Scarcity in Southern California
Photo credit: EarthEcho
Participating teachers will have the chance to experience a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity they can take back to their classrooms to share with their students. The program will include on-site production experience and collaborative curriculum creation to develop adventure-based STEM learning modules that introduce students to the innovative engineering and technology solutions addressing water scarcity issues. During 2018, the EarthEcho Expedition modules created by the educator team will be distributed digitally to classrooms across the world at no charge. Interested teachers can find more information on how to apply at http://earthecho.org/expeditions. The deadline for interested applicants is Monday, September 5, 2017, and applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until the deadline.

“EarthEcho Expeditions leverages the thrill of adventure to inspire a new generation of environmental champions. We are excited to partner with the Northrop Grumman Foundation on this year’s timely Expedition examining innovative solutions to quench the water demands of thirsty urban landscapes,” said Philippe Cousteau, Jr., founder of EarthEcho International.

During October 2017, this group of teachers will learn first-hand from scientists and engineers in Southern California by examining how urban communities are implementing community resilience practices to better manage water resources. This EarthEcho Expedition will explore issues of water management and scarcity as they relate to the impacts of the ongoing drought on both human health and development and natural coastal and ocean systems.

“We are excited to work with EarthEcho for this unique middle school teacher experience,” said Sandra Evers-Manly, Northrop Grumman’s vice president of global corporate responsibility, and president of the Northrop Grumman Foundation. “This program will help inspire and equip teachers to bring environmental awareness, environmental stewardship and rich STEM connections back to their students and communities all over the world.”

EARTHECHO INTERNATIONAL: EarthEcho International is a nonprofit organization founded on the belief that youth have the power to change our planet. Established by siblings Philippe and Alexandra Cousteau in honor of their father Philippe Cousteau Sr. and grandfather legendary explorer Jacques-Yves Cousteau, our mission is to inspire young people worldwide to act now for a sustainable future. EarthEcho’s programs are developed for youth and teachers by youth and teachers. All of our resources are designed to equip new generations of leaders and problem solvers to identify and tackle environmental challenges in their own communities and beyond. For more information about EarthEcho International, visit www.earthecho.org.

NORTHROP GRUMMAN AND THE NORTHROP GRUMMAN FOUNDATION: Northrop Grumman and the Northrop Grumman Foundation are committed to expanding and enhancing the pipeline of diverse, talented STEM students globally. In addition to the EarthEcho program, they provide funding to sustainable STEM programs that span from preschool to high school and through collegiate levels, with a major emphasis on middle school students and teachers. In 2016, Northrop Grumman and the Northrop Grumman Foundation continued outreach efforts by contributing $19.2 million to diverse STEM-related groups such as the Air Force Association (CyberPatriot), the REC Foundation (VEX Robotics), National Science Teachers Association, and the National Action Council for Minorities in Engineering.