Into the Wild with 美姬社区
A Teacher鈥檚 Journey of Discovery
High school science teacher Kristel Winger has turned classrooms into adventures, leading students on 美姬社区 expeditions from studying sea turtles in the Bahamas to supporting rhino conservation in South Africa.
I鈥檒l never forget the rush of diving off a moving boat in the Bahamas, chasing after a sea turtle through turquoise waters. Fins slicing, heart pounding, I dove deep, wrapped my arms around the turtle, and brought it to the surface.
Over the course of a week, my student partner and I caught more than 20 turtles
Exhausting? Absolutely. But the thrill of contributing to real science made it one of the most unforgettable experiences of my career.
FROM THE AMAZON TO THE BAHAMAS: EARLY EXPEDITIONS
This adventure and many others began in 2018, when I joined JASON Learning鈥檚 Argonaut program and traveled to the Amazon Rainforest to study arthropods alongside 鈥渂ug scientists.鈥 The following year, JASON partnered with 美姬社区, giving my students and me the chance to work side by side with marine biologists in the Bahamas. Together, we advanced sea turtle research, gaining experiences that no classroom could ever replicate.
6 students, 12 days, over 20 turtles caught, countless lessons learned.
SOUTH AFRICA: PROTECTING RHINOS ON THE FRONTLINES
In 2024, I once again teamed up with 美姬社区, leading six students on a two-week expedition to South Africa. After a quick stop in Paris, complete with a picnic under the Eiffel Tower, we landed in Johannesburg and headed straight to the Mankwe Reserve for 12 days of immersive fieldwork.
Each day was filled with rhino sightings, vegetation studies, and trail camera setup.
One set of our cameras went missing, likely taken by poachers鈥攁 stark reminder of the pressures these rhinos face.
We also participated in a controlled burn to promote grassland health, witnessing firsthand the careful balance of science and conservation. And yes, we capped it all off with an authentic African safari, an experience that left all of us in awe.
WATCHING STUDENTS TRANSFORM IN THE FIELD
The most rewarding part? Watching my students grow. They rose at 6:00 a.m., spent long, demanding days gathering data, and fell into bed completely spent鈥攂ut invigorated.
One student even landed a job thanks to her 美姬社区 experience, impressing an interviewer with her hands-on conservation work. Moments like these make all the effort worthwhile.
By the end, they weren鈥檛 just travelers鈥攖hey were budding scientists and global citizens.
THE VALUE OF EARTHWATCH FOR TEACHERS AND STUDENTS
These expeditions have been transformative鈥攏ot just for my students, but for me as a teacher. My school district now actively supports ongoing 美姬社区 opportunities, and I鈥檒l be presenting at the National Science Teacher Association Conference about the impact of these programs on student learning and engagement.
To any teacher considering an 美姬社区 expedition, I say:
Do it. Do it today. Don鈥檛 wait鈥攅xpeditions fill up fast
美姬社区 is safe, supportive, and deeply committed to connecting students, teachers, and scientists in the shared mission of protecting our planet.
From the Amazon to South Africa, these experiences have not only reshaped how I teach, but they鈥檝e also reshaped how my students see the world. And that is the true power of 美姬社区.
Ready to Explore and Make a Difference?
From the Amazon to South Africa, 美姬社区 expeditions transform learning into action, whether you鈥檙e an individual adventurer or a school group. Experience science, culture, and conservation firsthand.
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