• WHO: High school students and teachers work together in collaboration with ICRE staff and local environment professionals.
  • WHAT: The Field Studies program provides high school students the opportunity to engage in real-world ecological research. Through the application of research methods and skills, students apply classroom learning to their local ecosystems. After developing and setting up their project, students will collect data that will be presented in a professional poster to be shared in a conference-style poster session at the end of the school year.
  • WHEN: Students participate in monthly (September through June) field research events as scheduled by the supervising teacher in collaboration with ICRE staff.
  • WHERE: Current projects involve students at Fairview Park (Costa Mesa, CA) as well as on their own school grounds. ICRE will work with schools to decide the best location for their students’ ecological research.
  • WHY: Applied ecological learning is the best way to reinforce ecological concepts and build ownership among students for their local environment.

Students will receive:

  • Introductions to ecological research skills such as native and invasive plant identification, wildlife monitoring, and water quality monitoring.
  • Resources such as a Field Manual to assist with keeping notes and developing their research project.
  • Guidance in choosing and preparing a research project of interest to their group (usually 3-4 students).
  • Monthly (supervised) site visits to observe their research area and collect data.
  • Supervision while observing their research area and collecting data.
  • The opportunity to share their results with classmates, family, and friends at a poster presentation
  • Access to environmental professionals (such as wildlife biologists, restoration ecologists, botanists, water quality engineers) who can provide insight and expertise to their projects

Students will commit to:

  • Attend all program dates to get the full experience provided by all aspects of the research project
  • Be prepared with necessary supplies at each monthly event to complete the necessary work for their project
  • Wear appropriate clothing and shoes for ecological field research.

Teachers will receive:

  • A pre-school year planning meeting to lay out all program dates for the entire school year from Introduction to Poster Presentation.
  • A post-school year evaluation meeting to discuss successes and challenges from the program and the opportunity to provide feedback for improvement during the following school year.
  • Access to the Program Manager for all aspects of the program throughout the year
  • As needed, support for choosing and/or purchasing program equipment and supplies

Teachers will commit to:

  • Participate in Planning and Evaluation meetings
  • Participate in at least half of the monthly field events (if students are participating outside of a formal class experience).
  • Communicate any issues or concerns with Program Manager as soon as possible for best possible resolution.
  • Pay by December 1 if program funding is to be paid by the school or students. (This will be decided in advance of the program start date.)