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Seeds for Change: Biology Field Research Summer Opportunity

Photo from last year's delegation of JHS and KHS students

January 17, 2018
Dear DA students & parents,
You have the opportunity to send your student on a summer biology research trip to Costa Rica through Seeds for Change ( http://www.seedsforeducation.org/ ).  The trip will be July 26th - August 4th.  This experience is not a "tourist" trip, as so many high school international trips are. Instead, it is a science trip which provides immense educational and scientific growth. While in Costa Rica, the students design and conduct their own field research project in the rainforest.  
Bloomington participated in this program last year for the first time and our students loved it!  I took 16 students last summer and they  loved being able to dive deep into leaf cutter ants and  design their own experiments.  I was so impressed with what they were able to do in only 10 days.  Last year’s students are now using that field experience and their letter of recommendation from Dr. Pinto from the University of Costa Rica in their college application process.   
This trip is fun, but it is exceptionally educational, and an investment in your intellect, acquired knowledge, and therefore your future. The cost of this trip (including EVERYTHING - airfare, meals, lodging, activities) is $3,400.  We have a fundraising program to support students which we will discuss at the info meeting.
This trip is the perfect opportunity for students who are smart, motivated, creative, flexible and determined. This trip is open to students in grades 9-12.   We will have our information meetings on January 31st and February 6th at 5:30 in the Kennedy Media Center. Cory Elsmore, a KHS science teacher and Science Olympiad coach, and Jane Lescarbeau, from the district office, are leading the trip.  Last summer’s participants and I can speak to how amazing the program is at the meeting

Please contact Jane Lescarbeau  (jlescarb@isd271.org) or myself if you have any questions before or after the meeting.
Sincerely,


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