Yosemite Institute Summer Field Research Program Registration Opens

Date: February 23, 2010

Two Week Long Course Offers Teens Personal and Intellectual Challenges

Yosemite Institute, a campus of NatureBridge announced a unique opportunity today for 15-18 year old students to take part in a 2-week long adventure and learning program in Yosemite National Park. The two-week long inquiry-based Field Research Course lets students earn college credit while learning how to create their own ecological research projects, learn wilderness survival skills, and more.

Participants work in partnership with the National Park Service to answer pertinent questions about the park’s ecology and management. They will spend part of their time working on National Park Service research projects and will then generate and answer their own questions on a ten day backpacking adventure in the Yosemite wilderness. Students that complete the course are given community college credit from Columbia College, in Sonora, California.

The course is led by Dr. Adam Burns, Yosemite Institute Field Science Project Manager. He describes the program as, “the perfect antidote to nature deficit disorder, this is student-centered, inquiry-based learning at its most adventurous. These students will explore beyond the basic natural history of the area to learn field research skills that can be transferred to high school, college and beyond.”

The program runs from July 31st through August 13th, 2010. Students interested in the program are encouraged to contact Dr. Burns directly at 209.379,9511 ext.33. To learn more and to download the registration form, visit the Field Research Course website http://www.yosemitefieldresearch.org/.

About Yosemite Institute
Yosemite Institute is a campus of NatureBridge, the largest residential education partner of the National Park Service. It is committed to educating the next generation of environmental stewards. For almost four decades their field science education programs in Yosemite National Park have been connecting youth from diverse cultural and economic backgrounds to nature and inspiring them to service. They use core science education to inspire future generations to lifelong environmental stewardship. Their inquiry-based programs ensure that students return to their home communities with a broadened view of the world and the tools to make positive impacts in their neighborhoods.  www.yosemiteinstitute.org.