Bilingual Environmental Science Modules for Communities Available
June 3, 2013
Developed in response to the needs of promotoras de salud or community health advocates, bilingual “Transferable Training Modules on Environmental Science” are now available online for the public to download free of charge. These unique educational modules were developed for use by promotoras de la salud, and currently encompass three themes: arsenic; pesticides; and environmental toxicology. Each module is available in both English and Spanish, which contain background information, additional resources (websites and videos), and training tools (PowerPoint presentation, training extensions, and concept activities). The modules are based on a “train-the-trainer” model and provide instructional materials that guide promotoras on the development and implementation of interactive trainings.
The transferrable training modules are the result of a partnership between the University of Arizona Superfund Research Program (UA SRP) Community Engagement Core and a network of promotoras. In 2007, the UA SRP began training local promotora groups on diverse environmental science themes. Due to a shortage of information available on these topics, the promotora groups requested that the trainings be packaged into transferable modules.
This effort is a collaborative partnership formed by a binational team of environmental science experts and promotoras, including the Sonora Environmental Research Institute, Inc., Regional Center for Border Health, Inc., Universidad de Sonora, Instituto Tecnológico de Sonora, and Consejo Nacional para la Cultura y las Artes promotoras from the Valle del Yaqui, in Sonora, Mexico. Additional groups of promotoras provided input during the pilot trainings phase. Initial funding was received from the U.S.-Mexico Border 2012 Program and the Border Environmental Cooperation Commission. The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences Superfund Research Program provided additional funding to expand pilot trainings.
“We hope these modules will reach far beyond our current partners and meet the need and lack of training opportunities in the area of environmental science,” says Denise Moreno Ramírez, UA SRP Community Engagement Core Coordinator. Now that the modules are complete and available online, the UA SRP Community Engagement team will be working to get this tool into the hands of promotoras, to multiply environmental science and public health information into the communities where they are active.
Click here to view and download modules.
For additional information, please contact: Denise Moreno Ramirez, dmoreno@pharmacy.arizona.edu