Seeds of Change Tropical Research Field Experience
for High School Students - July 25 to August 4th, 2020
Do you have a high school student who loves science and inquiry? Are they yearning for hands on science and a chance to get away from lectures, text books, and workbook learning? There is a unique experience offered for students who love science (or think they hate science) through Naturally Curious Education, LLC and the Seeds of Change organization.
Students will spend 10 days in Costa Rica learning about leaf cutter ants and creating a research project with other students about these amazing insects. They will conduct an experiment of their design as a small group and present their findings to their colleagues. Many hours will be spent in the field and the lab collecting ant colonies, studying their behavior, analyzing data, and collaboratively working on their presentation.
It is not all hard work though! No! Throughout the trip students get to go on a night hike in the rainforest, hike in a national park to visit hot springs, go horseback riding up to the cloud forest, zip line through the rainforest, prepare a traditional Costa Rican meal together and more!
New for 2020: SOC has been working hard to offer a hands-on marine biology research experience for the final 2 days of our program. For the last two days of the program we will collaborate with a community-based marine conservation research team in El Jobo, Costa Rica. This team is run by a University of Costa Rica PhD candidate advised by Purdue's Frank Paladino, the president of the Leatherback Trust. We have worked with this research team for the last two years with our 2nd year Bioinformatics students and piloted the program with select 1st year programs in 2017 & 2018.
The program includes a homestay with a local family for the last 2 nights of the program. Students stay 2-3 in a group in homes that are all within shouting distance of each other and the faculty home-stay locations. It is an excellent draw for students seeking a cultural connection and for those who have some Spanish - an excellent opportunity to practice! Students will conduct turtle nesting sweeps after dinner the day they arrive and El Jobo and the next day they will spend a full morning (8-1 pm) snorkeling with researchers to learn how to locate stingrays, drop nets on them and dive (8-12' for those comfortable) to bring the rays ashore for data collection and release. After lunch and siesta, all will head to a beach to play until sunset. The group will enjoy a final celebratory dinner followed by packing for departure the next morning.
These experiences are more than just another science class and field trip. Students get to work with PhD students and professors and collaborate with others from around the US. They hone their scientific method skills and put them into practice in the field and the lab. They see their project from the very beginning to the end when they present to their colleagues (other students, chaperones and educators who are involved in the program). They work independently without teachers telling them what project they are doing - they design the project! Many students do not get to do this kind of work until they are in college and even then it isn't until they are in grad school they get to have this kind of hands on learning. Students gain self confidence as they work with others and present in front of the group. This is not your ordinary science class!
Here are the details about this program:
Where: Costa Rica
When: July 25th to August 4th, 2020
Cost: $3,750 (this covers the cost of airfare, lodging, food, instructors, activities, and transportation)
Registration Information: visit the Seeds of Change website by clicking here
Program information: Tropical Field Immersion Program
FAQ: follow this link to have your questions answered!
Deadline to Register: November 15, 2019
Upcoming Information sessions:
Wednesday, October 16th 7:45pm to 9pm
Brooklyn Park Library, Shingle Creek Room
Thursday, October 17th 7:30pm to 9pm
Ridgedale Library, Bellflower Room
Wednesday, October 23rd 6:45pm to 9pm
Brookdale Library, Study Room I
Register for the FREE information sessions by clicking here.
The maximum number of students for the 2020 program is 16 so space is limited!
Feel free to contact Lauren with any questions.
for High School Students - July 25 to August 4th, 2020
Do you have a high school student who loves science and inquiry? Are they yearning for hands on science and a chance to get away from lectures, text books, and workbook learning? There is a unique experience offered for students who love science (or think they hate science) through Naturally Curious Education, LLC and the Seeds of Change organization.
Students will spend 10 days in Costa Rica learning about leaf cutter ants and creating a research project with other students about these amazing insects. They will conduct an experiment of their design as a small group and present their findings to their colleagues. Many hours will be spent in the field and the lab collecting ant colonies, studying their behavior, analyzing data, and collaboratively working on their presentation.
It is not all hard work though! No! Throughout the trip students get to go on a night hike in the rainforest, hike in a national park to visit hot springs, go horseback riding up to the cloud forest, zip line through the rainforest, prepare a traditional Costa Rican meal together and more!
New for 2020: SOC has been working hard to offer a hands-on marine biology research experience for the final 2 days of our program. For the last two days of the program we will collaborate with a community-based marine conservation research team in El Jobo, Costa Rica. This team is run by a University of Costa Rica PhD candidate advised by Purdue's Frank Paladino, the president of the Leatherback Trust. We have worked with this research team for the last two years with our 2nd year Bioinformatics students and piloted the program with select 1st year programs in 2017 & 2018.
The program includes a homestay with a local family for the last 2 nights of the program. Students stay 2-3 in a group in homes that are all within shouting distance of each other and the faculty home-stay locations. It is an excellent draw for students seeking a cultural connection and for those who have some Spanish - an excellent opportunity to practice! Students will conduct turtle nesting sweeps after dinner the day they arrive and El Jobo and the next day they will spend a full morning (8-1 pm) snorkeling with researchers to learn how to locate stingrays, drop nets on them and dive (8-12' for those comfortable) to bring the rays ashore for data collection and release. After lunch and siesta, all will head to a beach to play until sunset. The group will enjoy a final celebratory dinner followed by packing for departure the next morning.
These experiences are more than just another science class and field trip. Students get to work with PhD students and professors and collaborate with others from around the US. They hone their scientific method skills and put them into practice in the field and the lab. They see their project from the very beginning to the end when they present to their colleagues (other students, chaperones and educators who are involved in the program). They work independently without teachers telling them what project they are doing - they design the project! Many students do not get to do this kind of work until they are in college and even then it isn't until they are in grad school they get to have this kind of hands on learning. Students gain self confidence as they work with others and present in front of the group. This is not your ordinary science class!
Here are the details about this program:
Where: Costa Rica
When: July 25th to August 4th, 2020
Cost: $3,750 (this covers the cost of airfare, lodging, food, instructors, activities, and transportation)
Registration Information: visit the Seeds of Change website by clicking here
Program information: Tropical Field Immersion Program
FAQ: follow this link to have your questions answered!
Deadline to Register: November 15, 2019
Upcoming Information sessions:
Wednesday, October 16th 7:45pm to 9pm
Brooklyn Park Library, Shingle Creek Room
Thursday, October 17th 7:30pm to 9pm
Ridgedale Library, Bellflower Room
Wednesday, October 23rd 6:45pm to 9pm
Brookdale Library, Study Room I
Register for the FREE information sessions by clicking here.
The maximum number of students for the 2020 program is 16 so space is limited!
Feel free to contact Lauren with any questions.