Entering our 25th year of student programming, our “Young Naturalist Expeditions” are designed to foster cultural interaction and to enhance the natural sciences taught in the classroom with hands-on experience in the field. Imagine students experiencing some of the rarest and most beautiful marine life on Earth while studying the natural history of a marine environment. It’s an amazing way to make the science textbooks come alive!
The cultural component of the Young Naturalists Expeditions recognizes that when people of different cultures connect, there comes an unspoken understanding of our shared humanity. With this said, students will have the opportunity to meet members of remote communities on both expeditions. These communities often live without electricity, with the exception of the odd solar panel or two, and minimal freshwater obtained from wells. Their lives are filled with simplicity and contentment, something we rarely experience in our own lives. But we do share a commonality; family, faith, growth and survival.
In the educational component of our Young Naturalist Expeditions we have designed into our expeditions two curricular options:
1. The Panterra Expedition Workbook which puts the students to work (prior to and during the trip) exploring, discovering, identifying, recording and researching the marine organisms and environments encountered. High School students can receive credits for completion of the workbook.
2. The Panterra Expedition Logbook which allows students to record their encounters and experiences. It is solely experiential.
Either option is a great way for students to explore career interests in the many fields of natural sciences. The Young Naturalist Expeditions offers an experience of a lifetime encompassing education and culture.
Both the Sea of Cortez and San Ignacio Lagoon have been declared World Heritage Sites by the United Nations because of their importance to the world community.
The Young Naturalist Expeditions are as follows: (please click on the expedition for more information)
1. Journey to the Sea of Cortez
2. Journey to the Gray Whale Lagoon of San Ignacio
3. Summer Cruise for Teachers – Professional Development
Our Sea of Cortez expeditions leave from La Paz, Baja California Sur Mexico. La Paz is a few hours north of the famous Cabo San Lucas and south of scenic Loreto.
For the Expedition to the Gray Whale Lagoon of San Ignacio the departure city is Loreto, Baja California Sur, Mexico.
