Bridging the Americas

Using Neotropical migratory birds as educational tools
to enhance environmental and cultural awareness



What is "Bridging the Americas"?
Bridging the Americas (formerly known as Partners in Art) is a cross-cultural environmental education program that links elementary school classes in Maryland with classes in Latin America and the Caribbean through an exchange of art work and letters that focus on Neotropical migratory birds. This group of birds consists of over 200 species that breed in the United States and Canada and spend the winter months in Latin America and the Caribbean, thus symbolizing the connections that exist between countries in the Western Hemisphere.

Who coordinates this program and what are its goals?
Bridging the Americas is coordinated by the Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center (SMBC) and the Education Committee of Maryland Partners in Flight. The goals are to increase environmental awareness, to instill an appreciation for birds and the phenomenon of migration, and to stimulate an interest in learning about other countries and their cultures.

How does the program work?
All participating teachers receive a packet of teaching aids and information on migratory birds, including posters, a bilingual vocabulary list, suggested activities, and more. Each class in Maryland is matched with a class in Latin America or the Caribbean. After learning about migratory birds as something special shared in common with their partner class, the children exchange drawings and letters which reflect not only what they have learned about birds but also information about themselves.


Letters sent to the partner class in Latin America or the Caribbean may need to be in Spanish. Teachers are encouraged to work with a volunteer from the school or community or with a high school Spanish class to translate letters written by individual students. If no such arrangement is possible, the SMBC will translate a letter from the class as a whole to send along with the students' drawings.

What is the history behind Bridging the Americas?
Bridging the Americas is a new name for a program that has been in effect since 1993 and has involved over 60 classrooms representing approximately 1800 students in the following nine locations: the United States, Mexico, Guatemala, Belize, El Salvador, Costa Rica, Panama, the British Virgin Islands, and Ecuador.


The program concept was originally developed in a pilot project conducted from 1993 to 1995 called the Migrant Exchange Program. The success of this project spawned Partners in Art, a program initiated by the SMBC and Maryland Partners in Flight in 1995. In preparation for the 1997-98 school year, the coordinators of Partners in Art have changed the name of the program to Bridging the Americas because it more vividly conveys the central theme of the program the interconnections which link the lives of people across the Americas, as colorfully symbolized by Neotropical migratory birds.

As a teacher, how can I integrate this program into my current curricula?
This is a flexible program in that teachers are free to adapt it to fit their particular situation. The only requirements are that you engage your students in learning about migratory birds and that you complete one exchange with your partner class.


In addition to raising awareness of migratory birds and the need to protect their habitats, this program offers a fresh approach to teaching geography, social studies, science, art, writing skills, and a foreign language. The birds provide a theme around which you can explore a number of related topics. Teachers are encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity to have their students learn about their partner's country and its culture, as well as to discuss the importance of preserving a healthy environment for all.

How do I sign up?
If you are an elementary school teacher in Maryland, Latin America, or the Caribbean, participation in Bridging the Americas is available free of charge. The only "fee" is your commitment to exploring the world of migratory birds with your students and completing one exchange with your partner class. If you are interested in participating, please complete the following application form and send it by mail or email to: Mary Deinlein, Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center, National Zoo, Washington, DC 20008. For more information, contact Mary Deinlein (SMBC) at 202-673- 4908; fax: 202-673-4916.

Bridging the Americas gratefully acknowledges the financial support provided by the Maryland Ornithological Society and the Maryland Environmental Trust.

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You may send the following information in an email message to Mary Deinlein.

I am interested in participating in Bridging the Americas.
Name:____________________________________________________________________
Name of school and address:__________________________________________________
__________________________________________________
__________________________________________________
Grade level:___________ Approx. number of students:___________
School phone #: (____)_________________________ School fax #:___________________
Home address and phone number (optional):______________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________
Briefly explain why you are interested in participating and what you would hope to gain.