Life in Transition: Cave Ecology

Dates: Monday 15th June - Sunday 21 June, 2009
Departure Point: 1929 Kenny Rd, Columbus, OH 43210
Field School Location: Carter Caves, Kentucky
Students: 20 spaces available (students entering 10th through 12th grades)
Cost per Student: $780/ attendee

REGISTER NOW

Program Summary: The purpose of this program is to introduce students to field research, natural resource management and protection, environmental science, and population dynamics through the field of cave ecology. Students will be immersed in the process of scientific study, analysis, and interpretation to produce tangible results that can be shared among the scientific community. During the program students will work in teams on individual projects covering a diverse spectrum of topics, work on a collaborative class project, keep daily scientific journals, and present their findings to state park officials and members of the scientific caving community.

This program is designed to promote a system of responsible leadership within the students involved. Two experienced student interns will work directly under the supervision of Ms. Rector and the three trip supervisors. The interns will be responsible for assisting the project teams with research and development, cave exploration, and data analysis. The position will also involve a student paper and presentation and will result in eligibility for college credit for EEOB 293. The next level of student leadership will comprise of 4 third-year students as team leaders. These positions will be responsible for keeping each individual team on track with team and class projects and will involve a leadership reflection paper. The third level of student body will have 12 – 16 students split amongst the four teams. In total, this program will involve 18-22 students.

Life in Transition will involve a moderate to high level of physical activity: hiking over rough terrain, crawling over uneven ground, wading through streambeds, short climbs/pull-ups, and bent walking. All twenty students will evaluate their fitness at the beginning of the program and continue to monitor their development throughout posting their progress in their journals and turning in an evaluation of their physical activity and monitored progress to their High School Physical Education faculty at the end of the program. This program is intended to provide each, participating student with 40 hours of physical fitness, high school, credit toward their 120 hour, state curricular requirement.

June 15, 2009
Depart Metro
Arrive at Carter Caves
Hands on Experience Laurel Cave
Natural Bridge

June 16, 2009
Data collection techniques
Hands on Experience
Team Project Horn Hollow Cave
Cobblestone Crawl

June 17, 2009
Data analysis techniques
Hands on Experience
Team Projects Miscellaneous Carter Caves

June 18, 2009
Data Interpretation
Hands on Experience
Team Projects
Group Briefing and Feedback Miscellaneous Carter Caves
Bat Cave

June 20, 2009
Hands on Experience
Team Projects Miscellaneous Carter Caves

June 21, 2009
Hands on Experience
Team Projects Miscellaneous Carter Caves
Tarkiln Cave

June 22, 2009
Depart Carter Caves
Arrive at Metro

June 23, 2009
Group Presentations at Metro