General information
The Smithsonian Foundation considers that the private sector plays a vital role in the country’s development, for which scientific knowledge provides increasingly valuable tools for better decision-making.
That is why, together with the private sector, the Foundation developed and supported the following projects during the year 2003:
At the Marine Exhibitions Center in Amador
- It reinforced the School Program of the Marine Exhibitions Center through sponsorship from the HSBC Bank, allowing for the number of students who participate in the program to double to 2,000 a month.
- It coordinated a donation from IPAT for the design and construction of an 8,500-gallon turtle tank.
- It modernized the Conference Room at the Marine Exhibitions Center through the donation of a 60-inch plasma screen from LG Electronics.
- It co-sponsored, along with Petrolera Nacional, the construction of an interpretive trail through the dry forest.
- It coordinated several exhibits, presentations and family activities together with ANCON, Arquitect Julio Chi, Smithsonian scientists and sponsors of the Smithsonian Foundation.
It helped disseminate Project Jason XV in Panama
- It sponsored the training of 200 teachers in the Jason XV curriculum, together with STRI, Cable and Wireless, MEDUC and SENACYT.
- It coordinated along with STRI and its sponsors the dissemination of Project Jason in local media, for example Channel 5, canal1.net, En Exclusiva magazine and through press conferences.
- It coordinated the availability of computers with different Internet Access Centers so that students could watch live webcasts of Jason through canal1.net.
- With the sponsorship of Petroleos Delta, the Gamboa Rainforest Resort, Stratego Communications and the Panama Canal Authority, it organized a Gala Dinner featuring Dr. Robert Ballard to raise funds to support its educational programs.