GROUP TRAVEL: FIELD WORK
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Amazonia Expeditions Brings Science to Life
Fieldwork expeditions enable educators to share a hands-on, real-world scientific experience with groups of school students, gaining valuable knowledge and skills about biological work done in a natural setting. Such experiential learning for teachers and students alike, enhances classroom education and can motivate career development in students. Beyond the environmental education gleaned on the expedition, students also gain personal confidence and growth when travelling without their parents, benefit from working in collaborating teams and, last but not least, have a lot of fun in one of the world’s most fascinating natural settings. READ MORE
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WILDLIFE POPULATION STUDY
Students add to the inventory of population data on key species. Every morning the students are split into groups and walk different sections of the 100 km grid of transect trails. Accompanied by natives who are trained in species identification, the data collected includes date, time, species, GPS location, nearest grid coordinate, group size, perpendicular distance from the nearest individual of the group to the trail, distance surveyed, and transect code.
To collect data the students walk at a pace of 1Km/h stopping every once in a while to listen to the sounds and eventually detect groups of monkeys. While walking the transect trails the students also collect memory cards from the camera traps. The memory cards will be taken back to base lodge where pictures will be downloaded to a computer. Students use their evenings to search for jaguar pictures to be used in a jaguar population dynamics monitoring project. Determining population dynamics is key in devising conservation strategy for the reserve.
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TEACHER TESTIMONIAL
Two Great Weeks in the Amazon
In June 2012 I brought my second group of students to the Tahuayo Lodge and Amazon Research Center (ARC). I’ve also visited once with my family and each time the experience was unforgettable. As a biologist, I truly appreciate the knowledge and experience of the guides who are unbelievably skilled in spotting and identifying wildlife. They were also very flexible and helpful in planning out daily activities. In addition, the guides and boat drivers were so personable and fun we all developed a strong bond by the end of our two-week stay. I also enjoyed getting to know staff biologist Alfredo Dosantos Santillan better – he’s a huge asset at the ARC. The food was good, the staff all were very helpful and friendly and the rooms were clean. We saw lots of wildlife, got to help out with the mammal study at the ARC, and had some remarkable adventures. I’ll be back!
Lucy Bottcher
Prof of Biology
Central Washington University
CENTRAL WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY
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FAQ from STUDENTS
What clothing is required?
We provide jungle boots. Each participant brings the rest, including long and short pants and shirts, rain poncho, and cap with brim.
What is the food like?
All meals are served buffet style with many choices. Accommodation can be made for special diets. Pure water, fruit juice, coffee and tea are freely available and cold soft drinks can be purchased.
Are there internet services?
We do have wifi and computers with satellite hook-up to internet at both lodges but we encourage students while on tour to limit internet access to times and topics approved by the group leader.
What are the rooms like?
Students are housed in dormitory cabins with 3-4 beds per room. Leaders have private cabins.
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