Hello! Our December graduation celebration is right around the corner. It's been two years since we've hosted this celebration so we are over the moon for this year's festivities. It's going to be a blast! 

Happy International Education Week (IEW)! IEW is an initiative of the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Department of Education that celebrates the benefits of international education and exchange worldwide. Miami University observes IEW annually with a wide range of virtual and in-person activities. You can learn more on Global Initiatives' IEW website.

And be sure to scroll down to read about some great student and partner work, including our next Diversity Cafe this Thursday when we'll talk to Dragonfly instructor Ursula Valdez about her conservation work and the birds of the Amazon. You can register here.

On behalf of the Dragonfly Team,

Jamie

A reflection from the field, Thailand

Global Field Program (GFP) student Mindy Ussrey of Buffalo, New York, reflects on her field experience in Thailand and on the Dragonfly program as part of her EE coursework. "The program so far has really brought out my true self, and made me a stronger and more experienced person. It has solidified what direction I want to go in my life, and is giving me a much richer tool box for my future." Read more.

GFP student leads meaningful educator workshop

Project Dragonfly student Cindy Wilems, Director of Education at the Galveston Bay Foundation, wrote that the Meaningful Watershed Education Experience, an educator workshop she recently implemented, was "a magical experience for everyone involved." Wilems lives in Kemah, Texas. Read more.

AIP student authors book about urban insects

Current Miami student Karyn Light-Gibson of Denver, Colorado, created a zine, or small book, about urban insects. The book, published by Microcosm Publishing, catalogs a variety of bugs that you can expect to find in the city and uses storytelling to talk about science with the community -- the focus of her master's mission. As an AIP student, Light-Gibson engages in field studies at locations in Colorado and at Denver Zoo. Read more.

GFP graduate engages a conservation takeover at local library

Running Wild Media's (RWM) month-long takeover of the Toledo Lucas County Public Library (TLCPL) took place last month. Throughout October, RWM co-founder/director and Dragonfly grad Justin Grubb put his GFP master's goals to work at TLCPL, engaging the public in conservation through a photo exhibit, film screening, and workshops. Grubb lives in St. Louis, Missouri. Read more.

Dragonfly photo contest winners!

Every year we invite Project Dragonfly students, instructors, and staff to submit photos for the annual Dragonfly photo contest. Congratulations to the winners, and thanks to everyone who submitted photo! Read more.

EE Amazon partner to join next Diversity Cafe

Dr. Ursula Valdez will join our November Diversity Cafe. Dr. Valdez is the founder and director of Centro de Educacion, Ciencia y Conservacion Tambopata (CECCOT); faculty at the Interdisciplinary Sciences and Arts program at the University of Washington Bothell; and Earth Expeditions instructor for Amazon: Avian and Tropical Ecology. Read more.

Belize Zoo's Sharon Matola honored

Sharon Matola's vision and legacy was honored posthumously by the Belize Tourism Board, with Jamal Andrewin Bohn (left), Conservation Program Manager at Belize Zoo, receiving the award on her behalf. As founder of "the best little zoo in the world," Sharon was a pioneer in wildlife conservation and tourism in Belize. We are so grateful for the years partnering with the Belize Zoo and Tropical Education Center. Read more.

Spotlight on WCS Bronx Zoo's Dave Johnston

Congratulations to Dragonfly AIP advisor Dave Johnston, who was recently published in the International Zoo Educators Association Journal. His article focuses on using teacher feedback to create zoo-school partnerships. Read more.