Science Field Research Trips

Science field research trips go to Montana (freshmen), Costa Rica (sophomores), and Galápagos Islands (juniors and seniors). Experience rare and wonderful nature, while doing important science.

Montana 

Currently freshmen are invited for this experience.

14 students along with two teachers visit the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem each summer.  The participants will live and work within the ecosystem for 9 days.  They will experience and learn about the spectacular wildlife of the areas inside and surrounding Yellowstone National Park. Working with local agencies, such as the National Forest Service and The Nature Conservancy, students will work on conservation and wildlife restoration projects, collect data related to current field research, and develop and present a proposal for a field-based research project related to the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. 

            2009 – main projects (we took 2 separate groups in 2009):

• Bird box monitoring – data collection from Centennial Valley
• Habitat restoration projects – removing barb wire for pronghorn corridor access, removing invasive trees to promote native growth, and removing electric fencing to reestablish wildlife access to areas (Centennial Valley)
• Snowshoe Hare population study – Numbers of hare directly related to population numbers of lynx. (National Forest land in Montana)
• White Bark Pine study – White Bark Pine is the prime food source for Grizzlies.  Grizzlies have been taken off the endangered species list recently yet white bark pines are struggling with disease and infestation.
• Grizzly Bear monitoring project – Set up and monitor video cameras in national forest transect areas.  Grizzly fur is collected for DNA sampling in those areas. 
• Wolf study in Yellowstone National Park – morning monitoring in Lamar Valley
• Population Study of wild cutthroat trout – Yellowstone National Park

Costa Rica

Currently sophomores are invited for this experience.

 

18 students and 2 teachers visit the Pacuare Reserve and local rain forest in Costa Rica to learn field research techniques and to actively participate in the current scientific research at those sites each year.  At the Pacuare reserve, students work directly with critically endangered leatherback turtles on the beach during the nesting season to collect data on the turtles that nest, tag turtles that are not yet tagged, relocate turtle nests and eggs, protect nesting sites from poachers and environmental hazards.  Studies in the rain forest vary by year depending on the site visited.  All research in the students are engaged is collaborated with Costa Rican high school students and with the scientists on site in a formal scientific method presentation.  While in Costa Rica, students and teachers have the opportunity to experience the Costa Rican culture and to practice using the Spanish language. 

2009 – main projects:

• Leatherback turtles at Pacuare Reserve
• Rainforest ecosystem study and conservation work at La Suerte Biological Station

Galápagos Islands

Currently juniors and seniors are invited for this experience.

Between 9-14 students along with 1-2 teachers visit the Galápagos Islands each year.  The students work on a variety of research projects with the local scientists and frequently with projects from the Charles Research Station in Puerta Ayora on the island of Santa Cruz.  Data is collected and analyzed regarding issues with the preservation of endangered species such as the green sea turtles, giant land tortoises, and other local and indigenous species.  Students and teachers learn about the unique ecosystems of the Galápagos and the impact of invasive species as well as tourism.  All research is collaborated with students from the Galápagos and with the research scientists.  Students have an opportunity to experience Galápagos culture and to practice using the Spanish language.

2009 – main projects:

• Giant Tortoise conservation – data collection of baby tortoises at the Charles Darwin Research Station (CDRS)
• Eradication of invasive species at FUNDAR (in highlands of Santa Cruz Island)
• Island biogeography – volcanic and marine studies (Island of Isabela)