Options for school expeditions

The various biodiversity surveys being run as part of the Operation Wallacea programme are mostly carried out by university academics and university undergraduates acting as Research Assistants or completing dissertations or senior theses. However, there are some tasks that need a much greater amount of manpower than that available just from university students. These tasks are being carried out by groups of sixth form students from the UK, and senior high school students in the US, Canada and Australia who are generally accompanied by their biology, geography or environmental science teachers (although occasionally teachers from other disciplines go with the group).  These school expeditions join the mixed teams of scientists and undergraduates but undertake their own programmes.

Two week expeditions are available at each of the sites for 16-18 year old students and are ideal for those studying biology, geography, environmental courses or with an interest in conservation.  The two week expeditions have slightly different structures in each country and manuals outlining the programme of skills training, academic lectures and practicals to demonstrate the differing types of surveys being undertaken and the field research to be carried out are provided to the students in advance of the expeditions. Training is also given in how to prepare for the expedition and how to fundraise.

The school expedition itineraries vary considerably.  In Indonesia, Mexico, Madagascar and Honduras, the first week is spent in lowland or cloud forest and the second week on coral reefs. In Peru, the programme is based for the two weeks on research ships within the Amazonian rainforest, whilst in Cuba the project is mainly based on reefs with some mangrove lagoon surveys for manatees.  The Egyptian project is in mountain desert and the reefs of the Red Sea. In South Africa, the first week is in one of the game reserve research sites with the second week on reefs; and for a limited number there is the option of diving the reefs in Mozambique.  Guyana is the toughest of all the projects with one week in lowland rainforest followed by a canoe-based survey for one week on a river.  The Transylvania project, in the foothills of the Carpathians in Romania, is helping with assessing the management of a Special Conservation Area with bears and wolves.

Express an Interest in a Schools Expedition

Download the Opwall Sixth Form/High School Programme 2012/13