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Student Travel:
Bahamian Reef Survey |
Helpful Links
NOTE REGARDING MICROSOFT CORPORATE MATCHING PROGRAM
If you work for Microsoft, then donations to Earthwatch
count towards the corporate matching program. In
order to have our group benefit from the matching
donation, the Microsoft employee pays and completes
matching gift documentation form (online at
http://give or print copy). Employee chooses
organization to which matching gift is to be sent
(Earthwatch) and designates a GROUP within Earthwatch
for matching. In the purpose line of the matching
gift form, you MUST say:
“For use by Gretel von Bargen and
Skyline High School to be applied towards their
total Earthwatch expedition contribution.”
Technically, a Microsoft employee can not send matching
funds for a specific individual (i.e. their own kid),
but can designate matching funds for a volunteer group.
Earthwatch then certifies that the employee has made a
donation (via internet or hard copy) and a matching
check is sent. At the Earthwatch end, the money is
applied towards our whole group balance. However,
I can keep track of donations and the balances owed by
individual students. Please forward me the
confirmation email received from your matching gift
donation for my records. Thanks!
CHECK OUT THIS AUDIO CLIP THAT HIGHLIGHTS
THE IMPORTANCE OF THIS WORK.
A new
article in journal Science says that a third
of of all coral species in threat of
going extinct due to rising sea surface
temperatures and an increase in ocean
acidity. We will be helping to monitor
the amount of coral bleaching that is
described in this newscast.
LISTEN
NOW!
WHAT IS AN EARTHWATCH
EXPEDITION? 
Earthwatch is the largest environmental volunteer
force in the world. For more than 35
years, Earthwatch has involved students worldwide in
scientific field research and education to promote the
understanding and knowledge for a sustainable
environment. A student group on an Earthwatch expedition
has the opportunity to conduct team-based research, gain
scientific knowledge and skills and develop
relationships with exceptional mentors in the field of
scientific research. Students come back from their
Earthwatch experience having been on the front lines of
scientific research
and environmental conservation. They’ve gone to learn,
understand, and help protect the world’s most beautiful
and threatened ecosystems. They’ve been taking water
samples (not just pictures) and collecting data (not
just souvenirs). After evaluating 155 organizations,
National Geographic Adventure has named Earthwatch
Number One in both volunteerism and
education.
Advantages for Earthwatch volunteers? Earthwatch
expeditions provide excellent experience for college
applications and valuable work skills for resumes.
Volunteers will gain field experience with scientific
research experts. They will learn and apply current
techniques utilized in today’s most ground breaking
research efforts. Students gain confidence, learn about
other cultures and environmental issues as well as
returning invigorated about science after seeing how it
applies in the “real world.” If you are an IB diploma
candidate in the class of 2009, this trip will provide
you with amazing opportunities for your CAS and Extended
Essay requirements.
WhAT IS THE BAHAMIAN REEF
SURVEY EXPEDITION?
The
Bahamian Reef Survey project is one of the longest
running coral reef research projects in the world.
Students will conduct a number of ecological field
measurements while snorkeling: surveying hard corals and
other reef animals and plants, mapping transect sites
and taking reef measurements, and testing water
chemistry. On land, students will map corals in tide
pools and monitor beach profile changes over the
seasons. In the evening, students will transcribe the
day's data, and enjoy films and lectures. For more
information and to view photos, visit:
http://www.earthwatchexpeditions.org/US/exped/rollino.html.
WHEN WILL WE
TRAVEL?
The
estimated date of departure is June 19, 2009. We will
travel back to Seattle on June 27, 2009.
 WHERE
WILL WE GO?
The
field work takes place on San Salvador
Island, a remote part of the Bahamas, and the area is
unspoiled by tourism. The reefs are beautiful and the
water is crystal clear. In the summer, there can be
bugs (bring insect repellent and a bed net). The
temperature in June is an average of 80° and daily
afternoon rains are common.
WHO CAN travel?
The
nature of Earthwatch’s scientific research expeditions
requires small groups. Our group will have a maximum of
17 students and 3 chaperones. Priority will be given to
past and current IB Biology 1 students, however others
are welcome to join as space allows. Parents are more
than welcome to join us on the expedition! The research
staff is lead by a primary investigator and 2 – 3 field
research staff. This is beneficial as it enables
students more direct interaction with the scientists.
WHAT DOES THE EXPEDITION COST?
The expedition cost will be $2,625 per student
assuming the group takes advantage of early enrollment
and has at least 1 student sign up before June 1, 2008.
This cost is 100% tax deductible.
Earthwatch is a non-profit organization and is
classified by the US government as a 501(c)3 public
charity. Therefore, the entire cost of our expedition
is tax deductible for those paying taxes in the US. The
price of each expedition covers your food,
accommodation, on-site travel, emergency medical and
medical evacuation insurance,
carbon offsets, and all of the various costs
of field research (field permits, equipment, etc.).
WHAT OTHER EXPENSES ARE THERE?
Airfare to the destination is not included in the
expedition cost. You can estimate that airfare will be
around $1500 round trip. Assuming that a student is
only traveling to the Bahamas for the duration of the
project and not adding on additional travel, the
airfare can be fully deducted as well. On the
expedition, students may want some spending money for
souvenirs or incidentals. Other costs may include
passports, airport taxes, and the costs of any activity
the group may decide on for their recreational day.
HOW DO I PAY?
$300
deposits are due by Oct 1, 2008 (at the latest). Since
the expedition size is limited, students who pay their
deposits first will have priority for the trip. 65% of
the payment is due by December 1, 2008. The final
payment will be due by Feb 15, 2009.
If students cancel will they receive a refund?
-
If
a student cancels outside of 120 days before the
project begins, the initial deposit of $300 is
non-refundable but can be transferred to another
student without penalty.
-
If
the cancellation occurs 60 – 119 days before the
project begins, there is a $300 fee to transfer to
another student or 65% of the cost will be retained
by Earthwatch.
-
Within 59 day of the project start date, the full
payment is non-refundable.
WHAT ARE THE Requirements FOR PARTICIPATION?
-
Long ocean swims are NOT required as part of this
project. Much of the time in the ocean is spent
floating/positioning over the coral reef. However,
volunteers should be comfortable with snorkeling and
should be able to swim 100 yards with snorkel gear.
-
This is not a project that requires an experienced
background, as most of the tasks are learned quickly
through training and study on site. The critical
skill is floating/ swimming for up to two hours at a
time in the ocean environment. The exception to this
is individuals who join the expedition fully
understanding that most work will be in the water,
but choose to do water chemistry on shore or
participate in tide pool studies where swimming is
not required. Equally important are two attitudinal
factors: a willingness to study and learn and a
commitment to accuracy and precision.
WHAT IS THE TRIP Itinerary?
-
Day 1:
Fly from Seattle to San Salvador Island, travel to
field station, orientation lectures, initial water
orientation and time for personal settling in.
-
Days 2-7:
Each day will involve collecting and checking all
equipment, loading vehicles and traveling into the
field. The site of each day’s activities will depend
on the winds, the weather and on local water
conditions. The first two days will be training
days; data collection will begin around Day 3. Staff
will also schedule a couple of half-day recreational
events. Day 7 will include a wrap-up session which
will put the data collected during the expedition
into the context of the overall project.
-
Day 8:
Departure for the mainland will most likely occur
sometime in the morning.
WHAT IS THE DAILY SCHEDULE AND TASKS?
-
7:30 am:
Breakfast
-
8:45 am:
Assemble equipment, load vehicles, travel to study
site and collect data
-
12:00 pm:
Lunch at field station (team members may
occasionally eat lunch in the field)
-
1:15 pm:
Assemble equipment, load vehicles, travel to study
site and collect data
-
5:00 pm:
Return to field station
-
5:30 pm:
Dinner
-
7:15 pm:
Lectures, films or other presentations and/or lab
work (testing water samples, updating data sheets,
cleaning equipment and organizing for the next day)
What type of accommodation is used?
The facility is pretty remote. There’s
no television or clubs. There are only 1,000 people
living on the island, so there isn’t much to do in town,
either.
-
Lodging is at a research station, a building that is
a former US military base.
-
Shared room with a fan, sink, adjoining shared
bathroom, and showers.
-
Flush toilets.
-
Hot running water.
-
Generator.
-
Limited use of satellite internet available for a
fee.
What will we have to eat?
No
matter what you have for to eat, after a full day in the
field, the food will taste like heaven! The research
station cooks will provide simple, filling meals served
in a cafeteria. There will also be a meal or two out at
a local restaurant.
-
Breakfast:
Cereal, muffins, eggs, bacon, pancakes, French
toast, grits, hash.
-
Lunch:
Sandwich meats, soups, tuna salad, pasta, burgers,
French fries, quiche, pizza, potato/macaroni salad,
chili, fruit
-
Dinner:
Pasta, fried chicken, mashed potatoes, vegetables,
pork chops, salads
-
Snacks:
Available at the snack bar at your own expense (e.g.
candy, ice cream)
-
Beverages:
Water (water at the research station is safe and
potable), fruit juice, iced tea, Kool-Aid, coffee
and tea will be provided; volunteers can purchase
soda and juice at the snack bar
-
Note:
The legal drinking age in the Bahamas is 18. No
alcohol is allowed to be possessed and/or consumed
by minors on this project.
What does Earthwatch do in the case of an Emergency?
The emergency medical and evacuation
assistance provider for Earthwatch is “On Call
International”. On Call is a 24 – hour international
operation which provides medical assistance and
evacuation, a 24 hour nurse help line and other travel
assistance services such as lost baggage and lost
document assistance. Earthwatch research staff has been
specifically trained with an emergency response plan for
all expeditions. If the matter is serious, the parents
are contacted as soon as possible. The research
scientists are in touch with the Earthwatch head office
in Massachusetts.
How do I contact my child while they are traveling?
Earthwatch has staff on call 24 hours a day 7 days a
week to contact should you need to reach your child.
All projects have some method of communication during
the expedition. This may range from regular email and
phone communication to a satellite phone for more remote
expeditions.
Does Earthwatch have rules and regulations for student
travelers?
Volunteers will be given a copy of the Earthwatch Rules
and Regulations which is sent to each student prior to
departure. All volunteers are required to sign a
liability form acknowledging they understand and accept
these rules as a contract so everyone understands what
constitutes proper behavior while on the expedition.
WHERE CAN I GET MORE INFORMATION?
The Earthwatch site for this expedition
is:
http://www.earthwatchexpeditions.org/US/exped/rollino.html.
To read about some other peoples trips to San Salvador
with Earthwatch, check out these links:
ANYTHING
ELSE?
Beginning in September of 2008, all travelers will be
expected to attend monthly meetings in preparation for
the trip:
September:
fund raising
October:
travel preparation; passports and airline
itineraries (*parent meeting)
November:
island culture
December:
biological sampling methods
January:
using a GPS unit
February:
biology of marine ecosystems
March:
biology of corals
April:
coral bleaching
May:
snorkeling
June:
travel preparation; what to bring; host gifts
(*parent meeting)
July:
post field reflection and picture sharing
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