2008 Earth Expeditions News
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Working trip to Trinidad learning experience for teacher
By RACHEL BUCCICONE
Published: Thursday, September 4, 2008 10:39 AM EDT
Although a Harmon Middle School teacher spent her summer in the Caribbean, it was not for fun in the sun.
Jennifer Harris, a fifth-grade math and science teacher at Harmon, was part of the 2008 Earth Expeditions program that sent her to Trinidad for 11/2 weeks.
The 2008 Earth Expeditions program, established by Miami University's Project Dragonfly and the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden, sent six educators and nine other participants to the island of Trinidad to study conservation biology and community-based conservation.
From June 20-29, the 15 participants from throughout the country were accompanied by nine educators from Miami University and the Cincinnati Zoo, who assisted in conducting field research projects, including the re-introduction of blue and gold macaws into the wild.
Harris said Bernadette Plair, neo tropical conservation program manager at the center for conservation and research of endangered wildlife at the Cincinnati Zoo, grew up in Trinidad.
"She set up all the experiences with the local people," Harris said.
"She also is involved with the reintroduction of blue and gold macaws to Trinidad. She's responsible for them being there."
Harris said only a handful of macaws were left in the rainforest before Plair worked to release wild ones caught from a healthy population in Guyana, now raising the total to more than 50.
"We just got to go on a rainforest walk and see where they were," Harris said of the groups participation.
When it came to doing work, Harris was at sea.
"We got to help tag and measure leatherback sea turtles," she said. "The turtle thing was amazing and seeing the birds."
Harris also visited a local school, which she said was similar to American schools, because Trinidad has standardized national testing.
The Trinidad trip is just one of seven destinations offered by the Earth Expedition program, which also sends teachers to Belize, Thailand and Kenya.
Harris said when she applied, she noted her willingness to go to any locale.
"They all sounded awesome," she said. "The one that I did was conversation and inquiry learning," which taught her ways of getting students more involved.
Harris learned about Earth Expeditions while on a trip to Wyoming with seven other Harmon teachers. The group spoke about other experiences available to teachers.
The trip is a seven-credit-hour course with Miami University, but part of the tuition cost is covered through a grant.
Harris said the programs are "teaching teachers about science so you are more informed and are a better teacher yourself."
Harris also took a lot away from her travel partners.
"I learned a lot from the other participants, too, just because they know so much," she said.
Harris said she hopes to apply for one of the other trips next summer.
"The more I learn about science, the better teacher I am," she said.
"I love travelling and I love learning new things and what better way to see the world and increase the qualities for the job that I have."
"The more I learn about science, the better teacher I am."
--Jennifer Harris
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