Custom science and culturaltrips offer exciting educational opportunities to your students, and extend your curriulum into the global classroom.  Our fully accredited programs are custom-designed to your school's educational goals, and explore the jungle environments, wildlife and cultural diversity of Costa Rica, the volcanos, reefs and Polynesian cultures of Hawaii, and the glaciers ecosystems and Inuit cultures of Alaska.

"Stunning.  Thank you so much. I would go back in a second.  My students and I learned so much. Every aspect of the trip was top notch. " Dr. Patrice Metoyer, Costa Rica 2011

 

 

Earth Explore's class trips make learning a thrill; for both you as an educator, and your students.  The not for profit Earth Explore Foundation has provided award-winning, fully accredited science and cultural education to schools nationwide since 1995. Through our school visit program, an Earth Explore representative can visit your school, providing your interested families with a comprehensive and enjoyable presentation on the trip of your choice.

From probing biodiversity in the Costa Rican rain forest, to touching a moving glacier in Alaska, our programs give students and educators unmatched access to diverse and relevant real-world experiences, and expert field educators.  This combination expands both the scope and impact of what's being taught.  In addition, working in a supportive group environment has positive and lasting benefits for late elementary, middle school or high school-aged children.  The core competencies gained, including self-confidence, leadership, and collaboration, carry forward for an entire life. 

Key Partnerships and Credit Opportunities

Our fully-accredited programs provide students with access to unique opportunities for experiential learning, exposing them to science and culturally-based field education in a variety of global settings.  The 501 (c)(3) Earth Explore Foundation, in partnership with world class education organizations in Costa Rica, Hawaii, Alaska and elsewhere, offers a wide array of custom educational experiences for participating schools and their students. Read about our Partners   These programs can be scheduled for the summer, or during winter and spring break, and feature exclusive on-site resource experts, customizable itineraries, and complementary travel for teachers.  Academic credit at the college level is an option for most students (7th grade and higher), and teachers can earn professional development credit through the University of the Pacific in California. 

On Earth Explore trips, teachers participate at no cost as chaperones and educational advisors for their own students.  Read about a sample program here.  Custom destinations include Costa Rica, Hawaii's Big Island, Alaska, and the Grand Tetons and Yellowstone.

Flexible and Customizable to Your Curriculum Needs

Our flexible itineraries allow participating schools to tailor the educational experience to their own curriculum and academic focus.  On our Costa Rica program, students can view nesting green sea turtles at Tortuguero and work with conservationists, walk the cloud forests of Monteverde to investigate biodiversity, and spot howler monkeys in the jungles of Tortuguero National Park with wildlife experts.  On our Hawaii program, they can work with University of Hawaii specialists to view flowing lava at Kilauea, study astronomy on Mauna Kea, and snorkel rich and colorful coral reef ecosystems along the Kona coast.   Other opportunities include the study of glacial ecology, migrating whales, and Inuit cultures in Alaska, and the viewing of bison, wolves and grizzly in Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks.   These are just a few of the many options available.  View photo albums of our programs here.

Getting your School Involved - Earth Explore School Visits

To get your school involved, you will need to complete the group leader form.  One adult, usually a teacher, travels free for every 8 students who participate.  For your own private group, the minimum group size is usually 15-24.   When participating with 8 to 14 students, we will group your delegation with another participating school.

For participating schools, an Earth Explore staff member can be scheduled to visit during the fall or winter months to present the program to students, parents and teachers.  Our school visits are a great way to introduce the program to your school community, and insure that parents' questions are answered from the very first day.  Read more about our school visits here.

To learn more, and to reserve your 2011-2012 dates, we invite you to fill out our group leader form, or contact Earth Explore's Director of Education, Karl Van Amburg, at karl@earthexplore.com  To reach us by phone, call toll free (877) 224-3623 8AM to 5PM PST Monday through Friday.  Our fax number is (707) 538-7438.

We hope to hear from you soon!