Academic Credit - How it works

Earth Explore provides a structured academic and adventure curriculum, one that encourages students to examine their experiences, share what they have learned, and become familiar with the scientific process. The work begins in the fall and winter, when newly enrolling students begin their program Preparation Sessions.

The course requires, in general, satisfactory attendance at 4-6 pre-departure Preparation Sessions, online research and review of three web-sites that have curriculum-related content, field participation in all program activities, and field review of ten program activities that illustrate the program content and theme. To organize and complete their writing assignments, Earth Explore provides Activity Evaluation Sheets along with the program course outline (see pdfs).

Finally, each student’s participation must be favorably evaluated by one of his or her Leaders. Earth Explore provides Leaders with the forms required for this review at the conclusion of the program.

Benefits

The academic credit earned during the Earth Explore program is valuable in many ways. As a stand-alone transcript in the student's permanent record, the work demonstrates that the student has successfully completed a course of directed field study, involving high school level work, while still in middle school.  This is the case whether or not district policies allow credit earned on educational travel programs to be applied.  While most of our participants are excellent students and do not require additional credits for high school, the credit becomes especially valuable upon reaching college, as many admissions offices view favorably field science hours earned at the primary and secondary levels. In addition, each Earth Explore program rewards the student up to 60 service learning hours, which have in recent years become an increasingly important component to required high school work.