Emporia State University’s Prophet Aquatic Research and Outreach Center recently got an unplanned birthday present.
The Kansas Association for Conservation and Environmental Education recognized PAROC for its work with students up to age 16. Administrators and professors joined KVOE’s Newsmaker segment to discuss the honor and its significance. PAROC Director Alex Hayes says the award reflects an evolution of PAROC programming.
Assistant Professor and Jones Endowed Professor for Aquatic Sciences Rachel Bowes (BOHS) started with PAROC right after the ribbon was cut on the facility.
Bowes says PAROC’s location on the King Lake shore provides a unique educational experience.
STEM Outreach Director Daphne Mayes says PAROC staff look to use all the property near the facility.
Mayes says one of the big community events at PAROC is Vamos a Pescar, initially designed as a partnership between ESU, the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks, Hispanics of Today and Tomorrow, USD 253 Emporia and What’s In Outdoors to get local Spanish speakers out to learn about fishing but always open to the public at large.
PAROC started operations five years ago. Hayes says the facility and its activities are great for developing interest in both young students and current ESU students.
More information about PAROC is available online at Emporia State’ social media platforms and esuparoc.com.
KACEE, meanwhile, was established in 1969 as a public-private collaboration and now has more than 500 organizations and individual members. It says its mission is to “accelerate environmental literacy and conservation in Kansas through non-biased, sciences-based environmental education.” Information is available at kacee.org.
