This project aims to deepen students' understanding of ecotourism by exploring its economic and cultural impacts within Puerto Rico and Southeastern Connecticut. By engaging in hands-on experiences and collaborating with community partners, students will critically analyze sustainable practices, develop innovative ecotourism models, and communicate their findings through digital exhibits and interactive presentations. Through reflection and exchange, students will gain insights into balancing tourism growth with environmental and cultural preservation, fostering skills in critical thinking, effective communication, and problem-solving.

Students will understand the role of ecotourism in promoting economic and environmental sustainability through firsthand research and multimedia presentations. They will develop critical thinking and communication skills by designing sustainable ecotourism models for a local Connecticut site, incorporating cultural insights from community partners like the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation. Through virtual exchanges and exhibitions, students will also hone their ability to articulate and refine their ideas, demonstrating an understanding of ecotourism's impact on cultural preservation in Puerto Rico and its application to Connecticut. The project aims to foster deeper connections between communities while students learn to balance tourism with conservation efforts.

Students will produce an interactive digital exhibit that highlights sustainable ecotourism models from Puerto Rico and Connecticut. This exhibit will feature virtual tours, interviews with ecotourism experts, and multimedia presentations that integrate primary research findings and cultural narratives. Collaborative group projects will result in detailed sustainable ecotourism plans for local Connecticut sites, incorporating feedback from community partners and expert panels. The final exhibit will be shared with the Hispanic Alliance of Southeastern Connecticut and the Connecticut Blue Economy Coalition, showcasing students' innovation and depth of understanding.

Begin the project with a virtual exchange between students in Connecticut and their peers in Puerto Rico, where they delve into ecotourism practices in both regions. Use interactive discussion platforms to facilitate shared stories and experiences about the Bioluminescent Bay tours, offering cultural insights and perspectives on sustainability. This exchange will set the foundation for understanding the balance of economic growth, environmental conservation, and cultural preservation in eco-friendly tourism.

Students will host an interactive digital exhibition open to community members, including the Hispanic Alliance of Southeastern Connecticut and the Connecticut Blue Economy Coalition. The exhibition will feature virtual tours, interviews, and multimedia presentations showcasing ecotourism models from Puerto Rico and Connecticut. Participants will have the opportunity to engage with students' sustainable ecotourism plans, as well as view reflections and insights gained through partnerships and real-world interactions. The event will conclude with a panel discussion involving community partners, fostering dialogue on cultural conservation and economic balance.