AEC students showcase their creativity and innovation

Alternative Education Center students showcased their creativity and innovation on April 19, 2024, as they joined the World Creativity and Innovation Day, celebrated every 21st of April 21. While there may be no universal understanding of creativity, the celebration promotes the concept's open interpretation from artistic expression to problem-solving in the context of economic, social, and sustainable development. It raises awareness of the role of creativity and innovation in all aspects of human development.

AEC students used drawing to express their creativity and innovation on how their future careers help improve Odessa's economic, social, and sustainable development. Students discussed their drawings and jobs they hope to pursue when they are of age. They also integrated the discussions of crisis prevention and personal health and safety to navigate their current K-12 life successfully and reach their future dreams.

AEC observes World Water Day

Alternative Education Center observed World Water Day on March 22, 2024, with the theme "Water for peace." This year's celebration reminds us that, first, water can create peace or spark conflict. People meet their water needs and are healthy when water is abundant, but tensions can rise when water is scarce and people compete for it for survival. Second, prosperity and peace rely on water. International water cooperation is necessary for nations to successfully manage climate change, mass migration, and political unrest. Third, water can lead us out of crisis. An equitably managed water cycle will result in sustainable food and energy production. 

Using a coloring activity, AEC students identified the many uses of water and ways to save it. They shared numerous ideas in home, school, and community contexts. Many students explained how water mobilizes the oil and gas industry in the region. They mentioned that without enough water in the desert region, it would be impossible for their parents to work in the oil field as oil and gas cannot be produced. Students clarified that water is used in hydraulic fracturing, where water is pumped at high pressure into tight formations to open fractures in the rock, allowing natural gas and crude oil to flow to a well for recovery. Lastly, students discussed how the World Water Day celebration helps meet the global goal of peace, justice, and strong institutions. Their parents' work in the oil field exemplifies the importance of water to maintain the peaceful, just, and strong town of Odessa.

AEC students recognize the women in their lives

Alternative Education Center students recognized the women in their lives as they joined the observance of International Women's Day on March 8, 2024. With the theme "Invest in women: Accelerate progress," this year's celebration encourages everyone to help achieve gender equality and women’s well-being in all aspects of life, as such effort creates prosperous global economies and a healthy sustainable world. The celebration challenges us to face and hurdle the key global challenge: the alarming $360 billion annual deficit in gender-equality measures by 2030. Some countries remain to be skeptical of women's power to lead.

AEC students discussed the many contributions of their mothers or female guardians in improving their lives and making their homes the safest and most secure places to live in and thrive. They described the women they love dearly by making posters. They played a Totika game to improve mindfulness, as it relates to how they can help protect the women they care the most about. Students also discussed how this precious celebration contributes to meeting the global goal of gender equality.

AEC joins World Day of Social Justice

Alternative Education Center joined the world in celebrating the World Day of Social Justice on February 20, 2024. World Day of Social Justice reminds us each year of the need to build fairer, more equitable societies. Advancing social justice is the central aim guiding all national and international policies. Societies and economies function more cohesively when social justice is prioritized.

AEC students played a card game to discuss ways to improve social intelligence. They explained how applying social intelligence could lead people to understand social justice and commit to advancing and protecting it. They discussed what social justice could look like in school and family settings. They used a coloring activity to demonstrate their message if they were to help promote social justice. Ultimately, AEC students discussed how the World Day of Social Justice celebration helps promote the global sustainable goals of reduced inequalities and peace, justice, and strong institutions.

AEC boosts local tourism for Global Tourism Resilience Day

Alternative Education Center boosted local tourism in celebration of the Global Tourism Resilience Day on February 16, 2024, typically celebrated every February 17th. The celebration allows people to appreciate and recognize tourism as a major source of income, foreign currency earnings, tax revenue, and employment, especially for developing countries. Because tourism connects people with nature, resilient tourism uniquely encourages environmental responsibility and conservation. 

AEC students drew what they believe is the major source of tourism in Odessa, TX. They identified the oil field as the biggest tourism spot in Odessa and discussed its implications. Many students confidently explained how they are happily benefiting from oil field tourism because their families work in this industry. People from all parts of the globe come to Odessa to check out one of the world's biggest sources of oil and gas and decide to work here, which improves the city's economy. Students also discussed how resilient people in Odessa are because they have maintained the oil and gas production even during COVID-19. They further discussed ways to maintain Odessa's environmental conservation while oil and gas production continues.

Unfortunately, students acknowledged the bad effects of the oil and gas industry and tourism because these invite the proliferation of illegal drug business and abuse. During their guidance lesson, students used REBT's ABCDE approach to explain their activating event in abusing drugs, belief about it, consequence of doing it, effort to dispute their belief, and effective alternative behavior that is helpful to them to stop drug abuse. Finally, students explained how the Global Tourism Resilience Day helps meet the global goal of sustainable cities and communities.