IRRI’s newest project, Bio-Escuela is a technology and knowledge transfer center located in the town of Santa Cruz de Juarez in the Sierra Mazateca in the state of Oaxaca, Mexico. Bio-Escuela is a hands-on educational program in water, energy, nutrition, sanitation and hygiene that is based on a series of integrated technology and infrastructure interventions that are appropriately selected for the unique circumstances of each community. The technology and infrastructure selection process is done through in-depth household energy, water and waste diagnostics. These diagnostics are done for both the individual school and surrounding community, resulting in an integrated series of demonstration installations that are specifically designed to solve common gaps in basic services within marginalized rural schools and villages. Bio-Escuela provides direct and immediate energy, food and water security within a technology and knowledge transfer model. Community members are able to visit Bio-Escuela and participate in workshops that allow them to have firsthand experience with these technologies. Bio-Escuela utilizes innovative community participation strategies that are designed to guarantee maximum adoption rates for all installations that are selected by beneficiaries. IRRI Mexico is looking for a highly qualified and passionate intern to launch an elementary school curriculum that can be integrated into the Bio-Escuela model. Potential modules include: art, nature appreciation, sustainability principles, ecology, music and dancing. IRRI will provide the intern with sufficient support and training order to be able to participate in the maintenance of the installed technologies (Biodigester, rainwater catchment, composting, improved cookstoves, water potabilization, organic vegetable gardening etc). This position requires a high level of Spanish ability and the intern should be able to work independently and with high level of self awareness that is demanded by a foreigner working in an indigenous mountain village. Priority will be given to interns applying from programs in education and those who have had previous work experience working/teaching children. The intern will be based in the neighboring town of Huautla, a 15-minute drive (30-minute walk) to the Bio-Escuela, along mountain roads in La Sierra Mazateca of Oaxaca.
Desired Skills:
- Fluency in Spanish, speaking and writing.
- Education majors will be given preference.
- Previous experience working with children.
- Previous work developing curricula
- Environmental education majors/concentrations
Main Responsibilities:
- Planning daily activities and classes.
- Being able to handle classes of around 30 students.
- Supervising and maintaining the installed systems at the Bio-Escuela