Educating Young People
Earthwatch seeks to engage and educate young people in environmental stewardship and offer them the opportunity to become involved with conservation volunteering.
Via fully funded places and tailored teams, students and young people participating in Earthwatch research projects assist in the collection of valuable data and are encouraged to raise awareness amongst their families, community and peers when they return. By inspiring the citizens and leaders of tomorrow to actively connect with their environment, Earthwatch aims to help create a more sustainable society in the future.
Watch a short video, from a team in July 2008, on how Earthwatch works with young people:
Opportunities for:
Students
Earthwatch Expeditions provide a fantastic opportunity to many young people and students, including both those with a passion for conservation and those for whom such an experience would be something quite new.
From time to time the Earthwatch Student Awards Programme offers any student in full-time education the opportunity to gain a part-funded place in the field on a scientific research expedition. Award recipients will work alongside inspiring professional scientists, learn new skills and have the chance to engage with like-minded, committed peers and mentors.
Bluewater shopping centre has teamed up with Earthwatch to offer three students (aged 16, 17 or 18) from schools and colleges around Bluewater the chance to join an expedition in one of the world's most beautiful natural areas. If you want to find out more, look at Bluewater Young Environmentalist Competition.
The Inspiring the Next Generation programme, supported by Saudi Aramco, is now in its second year following a successful launch in 2010! We are seeking exceptional young people based in the United Kingdom and Kingdom of Saudi Arabia with the passion and potential to become future environmental leaders to participate in one of two amazing Earthwatch projects.
Disadvantaged youth
Earthwatch works with disadvantaged young people who would not normally have the chance to participate in experiential learning opportunities like those offered on Earthwatch projects. The programme offers participants the opportunity to gain confidence and develop life skills via participation on specially tailored field research projects and a work experience placement at Earthwatch's office in Oxford. This experience benefits participants by inspiring in them a lifelong interest in environmental conservation; building links with their local community and helping them access better employment opportunities.
Duke of Edinburgh's Award and Queens Guide Award
Young people undertaking their Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award often wish to use their Earthwatch expedition for the residential project section of the award. Earthwatch projects are an excellent option as they average in length from 1-2 weeks, provide participants with new and interesting experiences and conservation/environmental work is one of most suitable activities for the residential section.
If you are undertaking your Queen's Guide Award, an Earthwatch expedition can count towards the residential section of your award too.
Call or email our Expedition Recruitment Team to discuss which expedition would suit your needs (and remember to mention that you are thinking about using the experience for your residential).