The purpose of this program is to offer students the opportunity to explore pristine island and marine habitats and experience science in an authentic context.
As our oldest biome, the marine community offers tremendous opportunities to study biology, ecology and geology. Andros Island is the largest island in the Bahamian Archipelago and the least developed. It is adjacent to one of the largest barrier reefs in the world and offers a tremendous variety of communities such as turtle grass, patch reef, cays, oceanic blue holes, tide pools and barrier reef.
Andros Island is home to many freshwater blue holes, including Cousteau’s Blue hole, which was explored by the famed biologist Jacque Cousteau. In addition, the island offers unique opportunities to observe bat caves, mangrove communities, tidewater creeks, and interior Bahamian pine communities. Andros is also home to a variety of unique animal and plant life including the endangered Bahamian boa, Attala butterfly, and Bahamian iguana and piping plovers.
Academic Requirements: Participants will be required to independently complete a series of assignments during the field study, attend 9 after school, pre-trip sessions; review current literature; take quizzes; and complete labs. These classes will be held Wednesday’s after school from 3:00 - 4:30 once a month starting in November. Students will take a written final and attend a post-trip session. Students who successfully complete the academic requirements will be awarded 1 credit of science in Marine Biology. The grade will go on their permanent transcripts. They will receive 1 credit of science.
Dates: The field trip portion to Andros Island will be June 6-13, 2020 . The post-trip session will be some time in late August. Seniors, who will be leaving for college prior to late August, can make other arrangements to turn in their final field logs and photo journals.
How do I apply? To apply, you must fill out application and submit three recommendations. Teachers should complete two of the recommendations. The third one can be completed by another teacher, guidance counselor, employer, or appropriate adult. The completed application must be received no later than October 6th, 2019. Some students may be required to complete an informal personal interview.
Applications will be available starting August 2019.
Once you have been notified, there will be a parent orientation at which time a deposit of a non-refundable $150.00 will be due. The non-refundable is due to ordering airline tickets in your child’s name asap.
Cost of the trip: The total cost of the trip is around $2,800 - $3,000. A payment schedule will then be set up monthly through the first of May. This include books, field journals, field guides, and all but 3 meals (2 in the airport, 1 on the island)
Selection criteria: Due to a limited number of spaces available (20) for each trip, we are forced to take only a small number of students (20). Participants are selected based on personal interests, teacher references, application question responses, school discipline records, age, and academic achievements.
