Looking for biology/naturalist educational tour kind of experiences.
March 26, 2024 7:16 AM Subscribe
I've got a 16 y o kid who is interested in biology/entomology/ocean. Looking to incorporate that with anything from a day trip, weekend trip, or week long trip.
While time and money are things we don't have lots of extra of, I am considering Osa Peninsula for a trip in February (there's a "bug lady" that does night tours).
Wondering if there is anything in the US (bonus for New England area) that was a good experience that's a bit higher level than the typical lobster boat kind of tour. More hands on.
It could be anything from a 2 hour tour with a naturalist, to all day, and maybe even week long.
PS Thanks to his awesome teachers, stuff that didn't seem that interesting coming from mom seems super interesting now!
I came here to recommend the Marine Biological Laboratory at Woods Hole, so you've got two reasons to head there.
Many years ago, I taught at a Woods-Hole-based summer STEM program for high-achieving city kids. It's a great place to spend a day or two. Longer, if you can. I think both MBL and the NOAA facility offer summer programming, so have a look.
posted by yellowcandy at 7:50 AM on March 26 [2 favorites]
Many years ago, I taught at a Woods-Hole-based summer STEM program for high-achieving city kids. It's a great place to spend a day or two. Longer, if you can. I think both MBL and the NOAA facility offer summer programming, so have a look.
posted by yellowcandy at 7:50 AM on March 26 [2 favorites]
Mystic Aquarium has internships and volunteer opportunities for high schoolers.
Mass Audubon has different teen programs, like Conservation Clubs, Adventure Weeks, and an internship.
Smith College has precollege summer programs in science and engineering and sustainability. Not cheap, though it looks like have financial aid.
At the end of April, there's an international City Nature Challenge, where you "compete" (for a very friendly and collaborative definition thereof) to find and ID as much wildlife as possible. Here's one for Western Mass; UMass Amherst has classes in person and over Zoom for learning how to use iNaturalist to participate. You can use the first link to find other participating areas/cities.
posted by carrioncomfort at 8:40 AM on March 26 [2 favorites]
Mass Audubon has different teen programs, like Conservation Clubs, Adventure Weeks, and an internship.
Smith College has precollege summer programs in science and engineering and sustainability. Not cheap, though it looks like have financial aid.
At the end of April, there's an international City Nature Challenge, where you "compete" (for a very friendly and collaborative definition thereof) to find and ID as much wildlife as possible. Here's one for Western Mass; UMass Amherst has classes in person and over Zoom for learning how to use iNaturalist to participate. You can use the first link to find other participating areas/cities.
posted by carrioncomfort at 8:40 AM on March 26 [2 favorites]
Further afield, Acadia Institute of Oceanography has two week camps (suggested prereq for Advanced is a year of Biology or Chem) in Seal Harbor, ME. Intermediate is 12-15; Advanced is 15-19.
posted by TWinbrook8 at 10:39 AM on March 26 [1 favorite]
posted by TWinbrook8 at 10:39 AM on March 26 [1 favorite]
Check out this STEM enrichment program in Gloucester, MA!
"Held in state-of-the-art teaching labs at Gloucester Biotechnology Academy, the curricula immerse students, ages 13-18, in authentic laboratory investigations. Students use cutting-edge biotechnology equipment, the scientific method, and critical thinking to analyze samples and make data-driven conclusions."
posted by rabia.elizabeth at 10:50 AM on March 26
"Held in state-of-the-art teaching labs at Gloucester Biotechnology Academy, the curricula immerse students, ages 13-18, in authentic laboratory investigations. Students use cutting-edge biotechnology equipment, the scientific method, and critical thinking to analyze samples and make data-driven conclusions."
posted by rabia.elizabeth at 10:50 AM on March 26
My then-16 year old daughter did a 1-week internship studying dolphins in the Bahamas via the Wild Dolphin Project and she LOVED it. They have 1 spot for a high school student on each week-long cruise during the summer. It was an incredible experience for her and it was the experience that cemented her desire to work with animals - she's a senior in HS now and just committed to UVM to study Animal Science in the fall.
The biggest con is that it's not cheap. The intern price is about $1800, and you'll also need roundtrip flights to Florida plus one night at a hotel when you arrive. Plus a passport. However, that does include room and board for 7 days on a ship in the Bahamas, so it's not completely outrageous.
I can't express to you how much my daughter grew from this experience. It was her first time traveling alone, which was a big deal for her since she has social anxiety. But she wanted to do it enough that she was willing to overcome the anxiety, and her confidence level increased tenfold by the time she got back. She was the only teenager, and the next youngest person was a grad student who was about 22. Maybe one other person around that age, and then everyone else was 30s and older. My daughter is OK around adults but it was still quite a learning experience to be the only person her age onboard.
The crew did most of the actual science parts, but she still learned a ton, both about the dolphins themselves and about how field study is done. She was on dolphin watch duty and saw multiple dolphins every day, and also got to swim in the waters around them. The crew is strict about not allowing the humans to interact with the wild dolphins, but the dolphins often chose to swim near them, so she had multiple encounters within a few feet, including with a mama and her calf. She also spent a memorable day snorkeling along a reef of a small island. In the evenings they would present on and discuss different relevant topics - animal identification tactics, ecosystems, behaviors etc.
If you're interested in more info, Memail me and I'll be happy to share what I remember. It was an incredible experience for my child - she grew in so many ways, and it started her on her career path. At the time I was hoping it would be an investment in her future, and it absolutely was. Not to mention it has been great on her 'resume' and college application - she just got great merit aid from UVM for her Animal Science admission and I'm positive it was partly because she was able to demonstrate a history of interest in and working with animals.
Good luck!
posted by widdershins at 4:50 PM on March 26 [1 favorite]
The biggest con is that it's not cheap. The intern price is about $1800, and you'll also need roundtrip flights to Florida plus one night at a hotel when you arrive. Plus a passport. However, that does include room and board for 7 days on a ship in the Bahamas, so it's not completely outrageous.
I can't express to you how much my daughter grew from this experience. It was her first time traveling alone, which was a big deal for her since she has social anxiety. But she wanted to do it enough that she was willing to overcome the anxiety, and her confidence level increased tenfold by the time she got back. She was the only teenager, and the next youngest person was a grad student who was about 22. Maybe one other person around that age, and then everyone else was 30s and older. My daughter is OK around adults but it was still quite a learning experience to be the only person her age onboard.
The crew did most of the actual science parts, but she still learned a ton, both about the dolphins themselves and about how field study is done. She was on dolphin watch duty and saw multiple dolphins every day, and also got to swim in the waters around them. The crew is strict about not allowing the humans to interact with the wild dolphins, but the dolphins often chose to swim near them, so she had multiple encounters within a few feet, including with a mama and her calf. She also spent a memorable day snorkeling along a reef of a small island. In the evenings they would present on and discuss different relevant topics - animal identification tactics, ecosystems, behaviors etc.
If you're interested in more info, Memail me and I'll be happy to share what I remember. It was an incredible experience for my child - she grew in so many ways, and it started her on her career path. At the time I was hoping it would be an investment in her future, and it absolutely was. Not to mention it has been great on her 'resume' and college application - she just got great merit aid from UVM for her Animal Science admission and I'm positive it was partly because she was able to demonstrate a history of interest in and working with animals.
Good luck!
posted by widdershins at 4:50 PM on March 26 [1 favorite]
Searching on "marine biology camps" brought up quite a number of hits including a summer camp for high school students at Quinnapiac College.
For the record, there are aquariums in Norwalk and Mystic Connecticut and Boston.
posted by SemiSalt at 6:31 PM on March 26
For the record, there are aquariums in Norwalk and Mystic Connecticut and Boston.
posted by SemiSalt at 6:31 PM on March 26
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I’d also consider finding a nearby university with an entomology department, see if anyone on the list of profs is doing something your kid is especially interested in, and get in touch to ask for a lab tour. In my experience, most of those folks were once kids or teens who loved bugs, and they are often happy to share, chat, and maybe recruit you to work in their lab in a few years.
posted by tchemgrrl at 7:44 AM on March 26 [3 favorites]