[teacher name] presents: south africa’s hyenas

EARTHWATCH.ORG/EDUCATION/STUDENT-GROUP-EXPEDITIONS

[Teacher Name] presents:

South Africa’sHyenas

EARTHWATCHSTUDENT EXPEDITIONS

[NAME OF HIGH SCHOOL]


WHAT IS EARTHWATCH?

Since 1971, Earthwatch has made it possible for people from all walks of life to join leading scientists around the world to help with crucial environmental research.

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THE MISSION OF STUDENT EXPEDITIONS

To engage students worldwide in scientific field research and education to promote the understanding and action necessary for a sustainable environment.

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EARTHWATCH AROUND THE GLOBE

Earthwatch has 20 Student Expeditions in 16 countries.

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EARTHWATCH RESEARCH PILLARS

Earthwatch offers a one-of-a-kind opportunity to conserve and explore our planet while delving into

one of four research areas.

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EARTHWATCH BY THE NUMBERS

Last year, Earthwatch:• Sent 3,150 participants aged 10 to 80 on research

expeditions.• Supported 141,520 hours of research done by volunteers

across our whole portfolio of expeditions.Research teams are typically composed of three to five staff members, plus one or more teacher chaperones—so your teen is in excellent hands!

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BENEFITS OF AN EARTHWATCH EXPEDITION

• Learn experientially through scientific field research.• Work directly with environmental science experts.• Get a boost for university applications and résumés. • Explore career paths in the sciences.• Support local communities and local educational

initiatives.• Grow personally and gain confidence.

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BENEFITS OF INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL

Students who travel internationally before the age of 18 do better.• In high school: more than 80% had a GPA of 3.0 or

higher.• In college: more than 88% received a college degree.• At work: half of travelers surveyed reported a household

income of more than $75,000 as adults.Source: The Student Youth & Travel Association, The Impact of Early Travel Experiences (2010 survey).

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A TYPICAL EARTHWATCH EXPERIENCE

• Teams for run 7 to 15 days. • Teams accommodate 7 to 20 volunteers.• Students will take on 2 to 5 research tasks per team.• Students stay in simple but comfortable accommodations

in the field.

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OVERVIEW: SOUTH AFRICA’S HYENASHyenas, vultures, and other scavengers play an essential role in African ecosystems. Join an expedition to study them, and the animals that share their habitat, near the Pilanesberg Massif in South Africa.

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THE RESEARCH: SOUTH AFRICA’S HYENAS• During the day, look for signs of

hyenas, vultures, and other scavengers from vehicles or on foot.

• At night, count leopards and lions by playing tape recordings of sounds of their prey to attract them to spotlights.

• Help set up camera traps to take automatic pictures of passing animals.

• Help capture and tag vultures, as well as capture and identify dung beetles—the region’s most beautiful insects.

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MEALS & ACCOMMODATIONS: SOUTH AFRICA’S HYENAS• A local chef will prepare

international and South African dishes, including poitjiekos (game stew) and braai (barbeque), using game from the reserve.

• You’ll stay at a field camp in the heart of Mankwe Wildlife Reserve near the Pilanesberg Massif.

• You’ll sleep in a two-room brick house, a wooden cabin, or in a walk-in safari tent with hot showers and flush toilets.

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LEAD SCIENTIST: SOUTH AFRICA’S HYENAS

Dr. Dawn ScottUniversity of Brighton, UK

Dr. Dawn Scott earned her Ph.D. researching desert rodents in Jordan. She has more than 10 years of research experience in mammal ecology, biodiversity, and behavior, and has worked on human-wildlife conflict in Jordan, Chile, Zambia, South Africa, Indonesia, and the U.K. As a visiting research fellow at the Zoological Society of London, she investigated how endangered cat species can survive outside protected areas.

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SAFETY & WELFARE: SOUTH AFRICA’S HYENAS• Earthwatch has a comprehensive emergency response

plan for each project, with medical and evacuation insurance included.

• Dr. Scott and several other staff members are certified in CPR and first aid.

• All volunteers will have up-to-date immunizations.

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OTHER CONSIDERATIONS

• Passports & Visas: Citizens of the U.S. and Europe DO need a passport, but DO NOT need tourist visas. Minors must also have a notarized letter from all parents or legal guardians stipulating that they may travel in the presence of an adult other than their parent or guardian.

• Insurance: Your contribution to Earthwatch includes insurance and medical evacuation coverage.

• Flights: The teacher leading the expedition willcoordinate travel.

• Language: All Earthwatch expeditions are led in English.• Packing Requirements: Earthwatch will provide an

expedition briefing 90 days before the expedition with details of what to bring (and lots of other information).

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NEXT STEPS

• Provide a $300 deposit and the complete Group Volunteer Registration Form by [Month, XX, 20XX].

• Call me with any questions or to enroll your teen.

CONTACT INFO: [Ms./Mr. Teacher][Name of High School][[email protected]][(XXX) XXX-XXXX]

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[teacher name] presents: south africa’s hyenas

Documents

earthwatch expeditionlearn

research expeditions

expeditionsthe research

research teams

hours of research

research tasks

research areas

scientific field research