LOS ANGELES and BOSTON (PRWEB) June 11, 2018
Seventy high school sophomores and juniors from Los Angeles County will travel across the United States to join Earthwatch research expeditions alongside leading scientists. These students will help to collect data for projects that address critical environmental issues. They join the ranks of more than 1,500 students who have been awarded fellowships with support from the LA-based Durfee Foundation as part of the Ignite program, a more than 25-year partnership with Earthwatch Institute.
This year’s students will spend two weeks working as research assistants on Earthwatch expeditions around the country. They’ll help to protect Whooping Cranes and coastal habitats in Texas, track small forest owls in Arizona and Utah, study sea level rise in New England salt marshes, measure the effects of climate change in Acadia National Park, study caterpillars and climate change in Arizona, unearth the remains of ancient Pueblo communities in Colorado, and research climate change and huckleberries in Montana.
Earthwatch reviews hundreds of applications from students who are interested in immersing themselves in scientific field research outside the classroom and narrows the exceptional pool down to 70 finalists. The Ignite program aims to stimulate students’ curiosity and interest in science by empowering them to tackle environmental challenges alongside leading scientists through a fully-funded, two-week scientific research expedition.
The schools represented by this year’s student fellows include:
Alliance Gertz-Ressler High School, Alliance Leichtman-Levine Family Foundation Environmental Science High School, Alliance Ouchi-O'Donovan 6-12 Complex, Animo Jackie Robinson Charter High School, Animo Watts College Preparatory Academy, Bell Senior High School, Benjamin Franklin Senior High School, Bishop Montgomery High School, California Academy of Mathematics and Science, California High School, Carson Senior High School, Charter Oak High School, College Bridge Academy, Crescenta Valley High School, Crossroads School for Arts and Sciences, Culver City High School, Da Vinci Science High School, Dominguez Senior High School, Downey High School, Earl Warren High School, Green Design Community School, Grover Cleveland Charter High School, Harbor Teacher Preparation Academy, Humanitas Academy of Art and Technology, James A. Garfield Senior High School, John A. Rowland High School, John Marshall High School, Lakewood High School, Long Beach Polytechnic High School, Los Angeles Center for Enriched Studies, Magnolia Science Academy 4, Mark Keppel High School, Marlborough School, Mendez High School, Middle College High School, Miguel Contreras Learning Complex, Nogales High School, North Hollywood High School, North Hollywood High School Zoo Magnet Center, North Hollywood Highly Gifted High School, Palisades Charter High School, Paramount High School, Renaissance Art Academy, Reseda High School, Santa Fe High School, South East High School, South El Monte High School, South Gate Senior High School, St. Lucy's Priory High School, Synergy Quantum Academy, Temple City High School, University High School, Valley Academy Of Arts And Sciences, Washington Preparatory High School, West High School
Earthwatch Institute (earthwatch.org) is an international nonprofit organization that connects citizens with scientists to improve the health and sustainability of the planet. Since its founding in 1971, Earthwatch has empowered nearly 100,000 volunteers from all walks of life to join leading scientists on field research expeditions that tackle critical environmental challenges around the globe – from climate change to ocean health to human-wildlife conflict. Earthwatch works with all sectors of society, including corporations, teachers, students, community leaders, zoos and aquaria, and more.
The Durfee Foundation (durfee.org) is a family foundation supporting individuals and organizations in Los Angeles County. The Foundation is named in honor of the late Dorothy Durfee Avery who, with her husband, the late R. Stanton Avery, established it in 1960. Since that time, the Foundation has awarded more than $35 million in grants.
Media contacts:
Alix Morris, Earthwatch Institute, amorris(at)earthwatch.org, 978-450-1206
Sharon Choi, Durfee Foundation, sharon(at)durfee.org, 310-899-5120
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