Important Travel Details

Thank you to everyone who attended last night's meeting.  Please review the recap below.  These are all very important.

1. Behavior Expectations - The pink page includes a list of clear behavior expectations for each student while on the trip.  Please remember that while traveling we are representatives of our families and Bay Village, OH.  I have no concerns and am so excited to travel with this wonderful group of students.  Thank you in advance for being awesome!

2. Packing List - World Strides has put together a comprehensive but restricted packing list that is an excellent guide for this trip.  A few extra notes:

   a. Because we are flying please make sure that all of your toiletries (liquids like shampoo, conditioner, liquid make-up, soaps, etc.) are in travel size (3.4 oz or less) and all contained in a single 1 quart ziplock bag.

   b. Bring plenty of high SPF sunscreen!  (30+ SPF) - NOT tanning lotion

   c. Hair dryers, flat irons, curling irons etc. will not be needed (sorry girls) - between very full and busy days and being in the water and/or humid air there will not be time or much point to styling your hair.  You will want to just pull it back.

   d. Bring a few extra ziplock bags (sandwich and 1 gallon size) - they are very handy for keeping things dry and for storing wet clothes.

3. Luggage - There is a $25 fee each way for checked baggage.  If you cannot fit all of your belongings into a carry-on and a small backpack then please consider sharing a checked bag with a roommate or two.  This way you can share the cost.  Carry-on Luggage dimensions are 14 x 9 x 22 inches.

Important:  All luggage (checked, carry-on, and personal items) will be searched by Ms. Mowery and Mrs. Sutterlin and loaded into Ms. Mowery's car on Monday, April 21 at 7:00 pm at Bay High School. We will make sure that there is no contraband, unnecessary items, or items that should be checked in carry-on bages, etc.  We will make sure that each bag is properly tagged, labeled, and attach colored ribbons for easy identification.  Ms. Mowery and I will bring all of your bags to the airport. 

4. Medications - Please complete both the World Strides Emergency Medical Release (white) and the Student Medications Inventory (neon).  I will also make a copy of your BHS Emergency Medical Forms.  These forms will be collected on April 21st during the luggage search/check-in.  All medications (OTC and Rx) will need to be recorded on the inventory, stored in their original container, labeled with your name, and contained in a single ziplock bag.  I will match your bag of meds to the inventory and medical forms during luggage check-in.  Parents: Please indicate on the neon form who is responsible for administering each medication.  Please contact me if you have any questions.

5. Food - If you have any specific food allergies, intolerance, or preferences (vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, etc.) please let me know.  I need to let World Strides know of these in advance so that they can make accommodations where needed.  So far I am aware of 2 vegetarians (Josh and Emma).  If there are any others, please let me know ASAP.

6. Waivers - The thick white packet from World Strides contains the permission forms and waivers for all of our trip adventures.  Every page requires signatures.  I will witness all forms on the flight.  This packet can be turned in anytime (no later than April 21st at luggage check in).  

7. Itinerary - This is for your records.  All flight, hotel, and daily activity information is provided.  Our main activities/adventures are in bold.  Get excited - this is going to be a great trip!

8. Blog Assignments - Each student pulled an activity/adventure from the box.  It will be your assignment to pay extra close attention during this activity so that you can write up a short summary of what we did, learned, and loved.  Each evening we will post your summaries (along with a few pictures) to the blog to share with our families back home.  This will also be a great resource for those of you completing online coursework.

9. T-shirts - The group decided to make a group t-shirt as a memento and so that it is easier to stay as a group during our flights.  Students, we will be meeting during QRP next week to pick a color and design.  I wrote passes at the meeting.  (If Tuesday's 3/18 QRP is cancelled for OGT make-up, then we will meet at Thursday's QRP 3/20).  This will be the only meeting and a final decision will be made.  Please come with some ideas.  I expect the cost will be $10-12 per shirt and will let you know as soon as I get a quote.  

Again, thank you for attending last night's meeting.  It was great to see everyone.  I hope you are as excited as I am!  Please feel free to contact me anytime with questions or concerns.  

​Adventure on . . .​ :) 

Discovery for Credit

Still considering the Dive In field course?  This is a great opportunity for educational enrichment, experience, and adventure. There are three levels of participation for the Dive In program for you to consider.

1. Go on the Trip - This is a fabulous educational experience.  The cost of the trip includes all travel, food, lodging, and educational expenses as described in the Trip Letter.  Participants will come home with amazing pictures, stories, and scientific insight.  Students have used their experiences to advance their understanding and applications of classroom material, write college application essays, enhance resumes, decide future careers or areas of study, and to build confidence and self-esteem.

2. Earn HS Science Credit - In addition to the trip you can do some pre- and post-travel coursework to earn HS credit.  There are two ways to do this:

     Option 1: Independent Study through BHS (0.5 credits) - You can develop your own course with the help of a faculty adviser (Mrs. Sutterlin and/or Mr. Cheney).  Together you will create an appropriate pre-trip and post-trip curriculum.  This curriculum will include a formal research paper (based on your area of interest), a presentation based on your research, and activity which you will lead with a group of peers (this is designed to take place during the trip).  The research and presentation/activity development will take place during the school day as part of your BHS schedule in the Spring of 2014.  Student work will be awarded a letter grade based on the BHS grading system.  Applications are due to the Administration by May 1, 2013.  Forms are available in the Guidance Office.  See a faculty adviser for more information.

  

     Option 2: WorldStrides Discovery for Credit HS course (1.0 credit) - You will follow an online curriculum developed by WorldStrides.  The coursework includes assigned readings, online discussions, assignments (may be written, video, audio, photographs, etc.), and quizzes.  Students will work with a WorldStrides adviser throughout this course.  Online discussions will include students from all over the country participating in the same program at the same time.  Students have six months from the travel date to complete the online coursework.  Completion of the designated coursework will result in a transcript from WorldStrides for 1 HS credit.  Student work will be graded on a standard letter system.  Students can apply for Credit Flex (click HERE for the application) to have this credit added to their BHS transcript. Please submit applications to the administration as soon as possible.  Click HERE to see the course syllabus.  Click HERE for a preview of the online coursework.  There is no additional cost for this option.

3. Earn College Credit (1 or 3 credits)- To further enhance your travel experience, WorldStrides has partnered with Colorado State University to offer an online college course directly related to the Dive In program titled "BIO 105: Leadership in Environmental Studies: Florida and Costa Rica."  Students will work with a WorldStrides adviser throughout this course.  Click HERE for the detailed course syllabus.  There is an additional fee for this option.

Dive In: Life in the Field

We will be traveling with WorldStrides.  This company has been providing educational travel opportunities to middle and high school students for more than 40 years.
        "Founded in 1967, WorldStrides is passionate about creating life-changing learning experiences for every student. Throughout our nearly 50-year history, WorldStrides has facilitated programs for more than five million participants to destinations around the world." (http://www.worldstrides.org/about-us/)

The Dive In program is designed for high school students.  The course covers a range of sciences including Biology, Ecology, Physics, Chemistry, and Earth Science.  Participating students will be outside everyday conducting experiments and exploring diverse and unique ecosystems throughout Southern Florida and the Keys.  Each fun and action-packed day is designed to keep the students moving and engaged as well as to provide the opportunity to learn about a wide variety of topics and environments.  The world is our classroom!  Students can even earn College Credit through Colorado State University.  Login to MyTrip and click on Discovery for Credit to register.

Projected Itinerary:
Monday, April 21, 2014
  - Arrive in Tampa, FL
  - Check into hotel
  - Dinner
  - Welcome Meeting

Tuesday, April 22, 2014
  - Breakfast
  - Caladesi Island Excursion: Travel by ferry to a sandy island to work with students from the University of South Florida.  Students will explore ocean currents and wind patterns, plant identification and adaptations, beach profiles, and local history.  We will have a picnic lunch on the island.  **Last year dolphins chased us on our ferry trip home.**
  - Dinner
  - Sweetwater Organic Community Farm: Explore an organic farm, investigate causes and effects of pollution, and create an organic salad from the gardens.
  - Return to hotel

Wednesday, April 23, 2014
  - Breakfast/Check out
  - Crystal River-Snorkel with Manatees: Learn about the history, physiology, and conservation of this species then take a boat ride into the local waterways where you will get out to swim and snorkel with these gentle giants.  **This is a great opportunity for pictures.  Bring your underwater camera!**
  - Lunch
  - Rainbow River Snorkel: After exploring the water quality in the river we will dive in with our snorkels to visit with the river's wildlife, search for shark teeth, and investigate the natural springs that feed this river as cool water bubbles up from the ground in the riverbed.
  - Rubber Duck Challenge: We will continue our exploration in Rainbow River with a study of currents and karst topography.  Students will race rubber ducks using their knowledge or the water's movements to try to win.
  - Drive to Sarasota
  - Dinner/Check into hotel

Thursday, April 24, 2014
  - Breakfast/Check out  **Great day for pictures.  Bring lots of water and sunscreen!**
  - Introduction to Seagrass Restoration: Our friends from Sweetwater Organic Farm will visit again with a presentation on the importance of seagrass beds to marine wildlife and coastal ecosystems.  Students will participate in a project that will assist researchers in assessing the damage to seagrass beds as well as their recovery.
  - Lunch
  - Everglades-Fakahatchee Strand Preserve State Park: We will explore the "River of Grass", visit with the tremendous and diverse amounts of local wildlife, learn about endangered species, and the importance of this ecosystem to the world.
  - Everglades-Mangroves: In another part of the park we will see the landscape change along with the species that live there.
  - Everglades-Shark Valley Tram Tour: In yet another part of the park we will take a guided tram tour, observe more wildlife, and discuss how the Everglades are affected by seasonal changes, as well as the important role of alligators as a keystone species.
  - Dinner
  - Everglades-Night Hike: This is a special request and one of my favorite parts of the trip.  We will return to the Everglades after dark for a whole new experience.  See alligator eye shine and listen for nocturnal activity.  A clear night may give us the opportunity to view and discuss stellar navigation, visible planets, and search for meteors.
  - Drive to Key Largo/Check into hotel

Friday, April 25, 2014
  - Breakfast
  - Mangrove Kayak Trip: We will kayak through several different ecosystems along the Florida coast.  We will be on the lookout for fish, turtles, fire sponge, jellyfish, and more as we paddle through mangrove tunnels.  **Bring your waterproof camera!**
  - Snorkel a Coral Reef: We will take a boat ride about 5 miles off shore to a beautiful barrier reef.  We will be on the lookout for sharks, sting rays, and lots and lots of fish.  We will be trying to keep track of the species of fish that we can identify for a global survey project.
  - Lunch
  - REEF Fish ID Project: The information collected during our reef snorkel will be entered into a global data base that helps keep track of wildlife species at reefs throughout the world.
  - Dinner

Saturday, April 26, 2014
  - Breakfast/Check out
  - Drive to Miami
  - Swim with Dolphins:  We will visit the Miami Seaquarium where students will have a chance to explore the exhibits, take in a show, and finally meet for our personal dolphin encounter.  We will learn about dolphin training, dolphin physiology, and then wet-suit-up and jump into the pool for some fun with Flipper.  **Bring your camera!**
  - Lunch
  - Depart for Maimi Airport, Fly Home . . .