Student & Teen Teams

Student Challenge

The Earthwatch Student Challenge offers 16-17 year old high school students the chance to join one-week, student only, scientific field research expeditions. The students live and work as volunteer field assistants for leading research scientists and their staff.

The experiential, "learning through doing" process of the Student Challenge is a powerful motivator to engage students in science.  This understanding of science helps students to appreciate the world they live in, respond to challenges and manage change.  The scientists and their research staff provide encouragement, advice and support for students who are at a pivotal point in decision making for their futures.

The Student Challenge benefits young people by:

• Exposure to science as a potential career
• Meeting like minded peers from around Australia
• Improving student confidence and sense of themselves as they contribute meaningfully to a research project and to their futures
• Equipping young people with tangible research skills, leadership techniques and providing an insight into the practical application of science
• Exposure to excellent career role models by working with some of Australia's leading research scientists
• Equipping participants with the skills to succeed in an increasingly knowledge-based society

What Previous Participants Say

"I can now see science and fieldwork as much more interesting that I did previously as I really enjoyed all the hands on work and practicality of the project. Before, I never really saw science as a career option but after my experiences, I think it is a possibility."

Jacqueline, Brimbank College, Australia's Vanishing Frogs

"The student challenge has reinforced my interest in the environment and science. To see the actual fieldwork that gives us the information we take for granted was great. It was also good to see, touch and learn about a lot of animals, not just frogs and to meet the people behind the research."  

Lee, Murrumburrah High School, Australia's Vanishing Frogs

 "It made me aware that science is not just about reading textbooks...but really understanding about what surrounds our lives."     

Mali, Queenswood School for Girls, Echidnas and Goannas of Kangaroo Island

"The student challenge has shown me there is more to science than just lab and theory work. This challenge has given me a broader knowledge of science which I can use later on in my career."                                                                                                   

Ruby, Braybrook College, Australia's Vanishing Frogs

"I loved how it was hands on as well as educational. I gained the best experience by realising I could do this sort of thing by myself."

Sarah, Braemar College, Echidnas and Goannas of Kangaroo Island

Earthwatch knows that today's teenagers will be tomorrow's leaders of change. We want to put them in the field where they can make a difference - for the health of our planet, and for themselves.

Teen teams are exclusively for 16 and 17 year olds, and give teenagers the chance to connect with leading scientists in a peer setting while learning new skills and appreciating the power that they have to change the planet. These special teen teams focus on the same research activities and have the same expectations as our regular teams, but with more supervision and support.

Earthwatch Teen Teams offer:

• A practical hands-on view of problems and solutions that you've previously only read about
• The opportunity to meet other young people from around the world who want to become involved in finding solutions
• The opportunity to work in places you've only imagined going. Until now.
• Unique experiences for community service or community based learning requirements
• The chance to develop basic science and adventure skills and try out things you might pursue in further studies
• Exciting group activities for the time away from the field site
• Trained Earthwatch science staff and supervisors to provide the safest, most rewarding time