Education
Experiences that empower the next generation of rainforest defenders
Today’s young people are tomorrow’s leaders. Delivering high-quality environmental education and meaningful training experiences is one of the most powerful ways to ensure the long-term survival of the Amazon. We work with students (and teachers) of all ages across Peru and around the world to provide the knowledge, skills, and inspiration they need to become and teach the next generation of rainforest defenders. From early childhood to professional development, our educational initiatives connect people with nature, science, and each other—transforming curiosity into action.
Our education projects
Environmental education experiences for all ages
Our annual environmental education campaigns are designed to foster strong environmental identities and encourage pro-environmental behavior among children and youth in the Madre de Dios region, with a special focus on underserved rural communities.
2025–2026 | A Day at Finca Las Piedras
Through a series of guided field visits, rural school students, university students, and faculty are introduced to the research conducted at our field station in the heart of the Amazon. By connecting with resident scientists and exploring opportunities for collaboration, students learn how field stations are relevant to their daily lives and can open doors to future opportunities. Outreach materials developed for these sessions are designed to be engaging, accessible, and culturally relevant, particularly for students in rural communities that live closest to—and very often from—the rainforest. Supported by the Organization of Biological Field Stations (OBFS)
2024 | Entre Río y Bosque (Between River and Forest)
Entre Río y Bosque is a professional development initiative for educators in the Madre de Dios region of Peru. Participating teachers took part in an all-inclusive 5-day/4-night retreat at Finca Las Piedras, where they explored innovative methodologies for teaching science through inquiry and field-based learning. Specifically, teachers learned research-based teaching methods, received support to strengthen their science curricula, and discussed challenges such as access to educational materials. Supported by the Citizen Diplomacy Action Fund, Global Ties, and the U.S. Department of State
2023–2024 | Laboratorio Amazónico (The Amazon Lab)
The Amazon Lab is an immersive, multi-level science education initiative that works with elementary, secondary, and undergraduate students through hands-on research experiences, mentorship, and collaboration with local and international scientists. Under the premise that “everyone is an explorer”, the Lab encourages participants to design and carry out their own research projects, explore diverse scientific disciplines, and build long-term relationships with mentors. Biology, ecology, chemistry, biomechanics, social sciences, and emerging technologies are all part of the learning landscape. Supported by the National Geographic Society
2022 | ¿Quién anda ahí? (Who Is There?)
This campaign focused on Amazonian mammal biology and the use of camera traps as a scientific research tool. Based on the book ¿Quién anda ahí? ("Who goes there?") by National Geographic Explorer Carmen Chávez and her colleague Daniela Cafaggi, the project introduced students to wildlife monitoring through hands-on activities. Children learned how camera traps work, how to deploy them in the rainforest, how to collect data, as well as why studying mammals is essential for Amazon conservation. By reviewing their camera footage, participants became aware of the high levels of biodiversity in the forests that surround them and learned how living in harmony with this biodiversity is possible.
2021 | Exploring Our Natural World
This initiative aimed to connect local children with their forests through immersive natural history experiences. Students and teachers from single-teacher rural schools visited Finca Las Piedras to explore Amazonian biodiversity using binoculars, butterfly nets, paper microscopes, and digital cameras. Children were encouraged to follow their curiosity, choose the species and tools that interested them most, and create a final product—many did drawings or crafts—to reflect on their experience and reinforce learning. Supported by the Papoose Foundation
2019–2018 | Art-Based Environmental Education
2019 - El Mundo de las Hormigas An interactive exhibit featuring large watercolor illustrations and photography introduced students to the diversity and biology of ants. Guided tours and hands-on activities helped participants build environmental awareness and appreciation for important yet often-overlooked species. 2018 - La Fascinante Vida de los Insectos Our inaugural campaign showcased the diversity of Amazonian insects through a photographic exhibit displayed at two locations in Puerto Maldonado, the capital city of Madre de Dios. Through guided visits and educational programming, children from kindergarten through high school were introduced to the fascinating lives of the insects that live in their backyards.
Education impact, by the numbers
An educational experience in the world’s most biodiverse rainforest can be truly transformative—yet it is not always easy to measure. Still, these numbers offer a glimpse into what we have achieved through our environmental education programs:
>4,500
YOUNG PEOPLE AND TEACHERS ENGAGED
With impactful educational experiences in southeastern Peru
>40,000
TOTAL HOURS OF LEARNING ACHIEVED
Ensuring the lasting success of our educational campaigns
>50
SCHOOLS, UNIVERSITIES, AND PARTERN INSTITUTIONS INVOLVED
The larger our learning community, the greater the reach of our work
Resources
We have produced a series of educational resources that can be used at home, in schools, or in other learning spaces. All materials are designed to be user-friendly and include audio and visual resources, as well as interactive materials, and are freely available to download by anyone. These resources have been shared with the local schools and communities we work with, and we are eager to see them used widely.
Las Aventuras de Mili (Millie’s Misadventures)
A bilingual environmental education book following the journey of Millie, an Amazonian royal flycatcher, as she learns how to hunt and survive in the rainforest. Through her story, young readers learn about Amazonian ecosystems and wildlife.
The book was originally created as part of Allison Stoiser’s capstone project at Clemson University. In 2020, in collaboration with National Geographic Explorer Carmen Chávez and the Red de Aprendizaje y Conservación, and with funding from National Geographic, the first Spanish edition was published.
¡Quién anda ahí! (Who Goes There!)
The result of a year-long wildlife research project in Madre de Dios, this book introduces readers to the use of camera traps for studying elusive rainforest animals. The project involved local elementary and high school students from across the region, who collected many of the images used in the book.
Authors: Carmen Chávez and Daniela Cafaggi (Red de Aprendizaje y Conservación).
Manuals
Methodological Manual for Teaching Science in Madre de Dios, Peru
Developed as part of the environmental education project in 2024, this manual supports educators in designing science lessons in the Amazon rainforest. It is designed with the realities on the ground here in mind, including the resources available to rural Amazonian teachers and students.
Handbook for Outreach and Education in Field Stations
Produced through the Organization of Biological Field Station's Matching Program (2022-2025), and in collaboration with other field stations in Belgium and Canada, this handbook compiles best practices for outreach and education in field stations worldwide.
Professional development opportunities
Ensuring that early career scientists and conservationists are equipped with the skills and experience they need to thrive in their professional lives is important for the future success of our collective effort to protect the Amazon and its biodiversity. With that in mind, we provide a variety of professional development opportunities to young people from Peru and around the world at our field station Finca Las Piedras in southeastern Peru.
Lepidoptera Research Residencies
A fully funded 10-week program for local undergraduate students focused on butterfly and moth field research.
Oxford Summer Internships
A fully funded 6-week program run in collaboration with the University of Oxford (UK), offering hands-on field research experience.
Research Residencies
Financial and technical support for undergraduate students completing thesis fieldwork at Finca Las Piedras.
Accessing opportunity: Our impact
Field-based opportunities in the Amazon are still out of reach for many Peruvian undergraduate students, especially for those who live far from the rainforest. And for students and young professionals from around the world, access to fully funded, immersive experiences in the tropics remains extremely limited. We are working to change that. Here is what we have accomplished so far, scroll right to see them all >>
>7,000 hours
OF PROFESSIONAL FIELD TRAINING DELIVERED AT FINCA LAS PIEDRAS
With programs lasting 2–10 weeks targeting diverse learners
>12
THESES, PUBLICATIONS, AND OTHER SCIENTIFIC DELIVERABLES
Produced by program participants, independently or in collaboration with us
>3
RECOGNITIONS AND PARTNERSHIPS
Outstanding intern experience by the U. of Oxford, and two collaboration agreements signed with Peruvian Universities
Field courses & training
There is so much to learn about the Amazon and its biodiversity by experiencing it first hand, which is why we offer and host a range of field courses and other training opportunities to aspiring scientists and conservationists. From undergraduate and graduate students to teachers from rural Amazonian schools, these opportunities aim to inspire people from all walks of life to understand and protect the rainforest.
Jungle Biomechanics
Lab
A fully funded, two-week intensive program combining field biology, biomechanics, and robotics, managed by the Bhamla Lab (Georgia Tech)
Conservation in the Peruvian Amazon
A recurring academic course for Peruvian and international students from the Pontifical Catholic University of Peru
Teacher & Undergraduate Training Programs
Organized in partnership with the National University of Madre de Dios (UNAMAD)
Service Learning Programs
Supporting community-identified needs through interdisciplinary student engagement.
Field courses & training: Our impact
Finca Las Piedras is a living classroom. The courses and training opportunities we host are as diverse as the rainforest itself—natural and applied sciences to social sciences and economics, everyone has something to gain from an immersive experience in the Amazon.
>30
FIELD COURSES AND STUDY ABROAD PROGRAMS
Directly organized, led, co-led, or supported by ASA
>40
ACADEMIC AND SCIENTIFIC DELIVERABLES
Developed by program participants
ALLIANCES
LONG-TERM COLABORATIONS TO ENHANCE OUR REACH
With institutions in Peru and around the world
Education Partners
