Project Location/Destination: Out of town - Newport Beach, California
Faculty Leaders: Brianna Malin & Jennifer Cook
Dates: Sunday, March 12 - Friday, March 17
Cost: $2458
Special Considerations:
See below.
Objective
Students will learn about the oceanography and island ecology of Southern California.
Description
Students will discover and learn about oceanography and ecosystems along the southern California coast. They will also learn about the importance of ocean conservation efforts, such as tidepools that exist in marine protected areas as well as contribute their service to support ocean conservation at the Crystal Cove California state park.
Students will gain knowledge from Marine Biologists about how we protect endangered species upon visiting the Scripps Institute of Oceanography at UC San Diego’s Birch Aquarium. They will develop ocean safety skills through our educational surfing experience in order to not disrupt marine habitats, for example, stingrays that live on the ocean floor. Through this fun hands-on activity students will understand how ocean tides and currents are necessary to help our marine ecosystems safely sustain.
We will spend a day visiting Catalina Island by ferry across the Pacific Ocean where students will learn about invasive species, like bison, that live on the island and are protected by the Catalina Conservancy. Students will experience an aerial view of the island's ecosystem of plants and animals through an immersive ziplining experience.
We will be residing for the week in a VRBO house to help foster additional community building time for students to learn and engage in further conversation around their new knowledge of the ocean and ecology along the coast.
Student Requirements and Expectations
Be an active participant in ocean conservation efforts, strong swimmer, comfortable being on a vessel in open water, willing to learn about the science behind the ocean and ecology of plants and animals, acting as a collaborative community member of a shared living space (sleeping, eating, cleaning, etc.).
About the Faculty
This project was implemented last year by Ms. Malin and was successful in getting students out of Chicago to come together in community and also learn about the oceanography that exists along the California coast. Ms. Cook is a former graduate student of Southern California who is excited to help students learn more about the unique aspects of the ocean along the coast!
Together, they have developed new activities for the project week trip this year to help enhance the student experience by learning directly from oceanographers and ecologists that are experts in the field!
Special Considerations
Ability to swim - Students are expected to be able to swim in a pool and/or in open water.
Accommodation considerations - Students will be expected to sleep in shared accommodations.
COVID related information - Some venues may require proof of COVID vaccination or negative test. Students are encouraged to travel with this information and provide it, if required. Please contact the project leaders or School Nurse with any questions or concerns.
Expectation for physical activity - This project will require a significant amount of physical exertion and possibly some physical discomfort. Students on this project should be willing to deal with discomfort, at times, in inclement weather. Students are expected to be able to participate fully in all these daily activities.
Scheduling (Out-of-Town) - This project will have time commitment outside of the M-F (8-4) typical school week. Please note that there is an expectation that students are able to attend the whole time the project is running.
Supervision during the day - Students might be unsupervised for short periods of time during the course of the day., Supervision while sleeping - Students might be unsupervised for extended periods of time during sleeping hours (hotel, hostels, etc.).
Transportation considerations: Latin faculty - Students will be transported by Latin School faculty chaperones drivers.
Transportation considerations: Not meeting at Latin: Students may meet faculty leaders or be dismissed from a location other than Latin.