There are many benefits for a study abroad experience for high school students. Such experiences have a huge impact on a student's life by expanding their horizons and changing the way they see or engage with the world. Almost all high school students return from their time abroad with a much larger and in-depth understanding of the world and how it is connected. During their experience, they are able to grow as individuals and receive an education allowing them to make increased connections about the ideas being presented to them in the classroom. The positive impact of travel programs can not only just benefit the student, but make them better prepared for the future, often making their better potential candidates for colleges and universities as well as aid in scholarship applications.Mrs. Becker will be running an opportunity this coming November to do just that - to get out of the classroom and into the world to learn, test and engage with important topics in Science. This program is targeted at Grade 11 and 12 students who are currently enrolled in senior (grade 11 and 12) science courses, who have a passion for science or are considering a career in the sciences. Special consideration will be given to Grade 10 students with a passion and aptitude for science, should they be prepared for the topics of study on this trip, and should space allow. All students are expected to be in good academic standing. Every day of this trip is busy, and engaged in scientific thinking, conversation and learning. Students need to be ready and prepared for this.
Dates: This trip will run November 8 - 16, 2014 (+/- 1 day based on exact flight times). The course runs over the Remembrance day long weekend, and through the week. Students will be missing 3 days from school from which they will be required to make up the work.
Destination: Florida, in and around the Orlando area, visiting both the Atlantic Ocean, Springs/Aquifer System and Gulf Coast, as well as the upper Everglades wetland ecosystem. Students will also be participating in workshops run by Disney and Universal Studios in Orlando.
Accommodations: Students will be staying on the Disneyworld property for the duration of the visit. They will be roomed 4 per room, by single gender.
Cost: The cost of this trip will be $2000, payable to Sullivan Heights Secondary. This includes flights, accommodations, all workshops, entrance fees, transportation, guides and dinner daily. It does not include the cost of lunch or breakfast, or the cost of travel medical insurance (which is required by the district). Payments will be broken down as follows:
- Down Payment $800 due April 4, 2014
- Post Dated Cheques for $200 due on each of the following: May 2, June 2, July 2, Aug 2, Sept 2, Oct 2.
Note: You can pay the entire amount out at the beginning
Note: Should this payment schedule not work with your current financial situation, please email Mrs. Becker to discuss other payment schedule possibilities.
Student & Parent Information Session: will be held in the school library at 7:00pm on March 6, 2014. At this time all the paperwork will be provided and Mrs. Becker will go over the details and be available to answer any questions you may have.
Itinerary: The exact dates and times will be confirmed this spring once students are registered and number of participants are confirmed. However, the following is a list of locations, workshops and objectives that students will engage in.
- Kennedy Space Center: Home to NASA and the world's largest space program, this day long field trip allows young imaginations to student and interact with the application of science as it applies to space flight. Students work with the NASA education team to learn about space missions, participate in an engineering challenge, take a tour, visit the space shuttle, experience a shuttle launch, and talk with a veteran astronaut.
- Magic Kingdom at Disneyworld, Properties of Motion Physics Lab: Learn about the inner workings of rides by testing potential and kinetic energy, centripetal forces and vertical and lateral acceleration. Discuss Newton's First Law of motion, discover the uses of hydraulics and pneumatics and studying the use of OHERC - the scientific method - and it's application in modern day theme park engineering.
- Animal Kingdom at Disneyworld, Sustainable Practices in Wildlife Conservation and Careers int he Zoological Sciences: Discover how people and animals are connected by evaluating a variety of environmental challenges. Students examine different perspectives on conservation and how these might impact decision-making. They will work collaboratively using their newly-gained knowledge and insight to create an affective conservation action plan for a community that closely resembles some of the lands found within the Animal Kingdom. The important of team work is reinforced. Students will look at environmental issues in light of different beliefs, interests and backgrounds and use critical thinking skills to consider issues from a broader perspective. Students will also learn about roles required to care for animals, learn about caring for endangered species, animal nutrition, and conservation centres.
- Aquatic Habitat of the Crystal River Marine Lab and Gulf Coast visit: Study and snorkel in the aquatic habitats of the Crystal River in the waters flowing from the Floridian Aquifer. Understand how human decisions impact the environmental health of spring systems. Sample pieces of the seafloor, learn about limestone rock reefs, and mangrove forces. This includes snorkelling and learning about the endangered species - the West Indian Manatee.
- Universal Studios Island of Adventure & Wizarding World of Harry Potter & the application of technology: Learn how science is involved in creating the world's most technologically advanced theme park. Find out about real life applications of physics, technology, and general sciences that were used to design and build this state-of-the-art theme park.
- Airboat tour of Everglades: Learn about the Everglades wetland ecosystems and the animals that inhabit them.
- And more!
Students are welcome to stop by my classroom any time if they have questions, and students and parents are welcome to email anytime at becker_a@surreyschools.ca.
More info on the Disney Programs:
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