Student & Teacher Benefits
Earthwatch Student Expeditions immerse young people in hands-on field research and real-world interactions with researchers and local communities.
Teens are full participants in every aspect of Earthwatch projects, from data collection to cooking to lectures and workshops. All of this happens in the context of a carefully controlled, health-and-safety conscious organization with more than 40 years of experience.
Earthwatch is a pioneer and market leader
- Earthwatch began offering expeditions in 1971, so we have many decades of experience in the field.
- In a study of 155 available opportunities worldwide, National Geographic Adventure ranked Earthwatch number one in both volunteering and education.
- Bradt’s Wildlife & Conservation Volunteering, The Complete Guide, names Earthwatch as one of the top international wildlife and conservation organizations, and the only organization to achieve the maximum score for its “demonstrable achievements” – the area which the book describes as “potentially the most important criterion for assessing organizations.”
- Bradt’s gives Earthwatch high marks for many aspects of its programs, including safety, field work, credibility, and pre-expedition planning.
- Read some of our recent results from our field research expeditions.
Expand your world, build your future
Many students choose to travel abroad as a way to expand their education, improve their grades, and increase the chances of getting into the school of their choice. According to the research, that’s exactly what happens.
According to a survey entitled The Impact of Early Travel Experiences*, there are some impressive findings from students who traveled internationally:
- Those who travel abroad before the age of 18 are more likely to achieve academic and professional success:
- More than 88% who traveled before the age of 18 received a college degree.
- More than 80% had a GPA of 3.0 or higher.
- Half went on to earn a household income of more than $75,000 as adults.
- The majority of individuals who participated in youth travel directly credit their travel experiences as positively impacting their education and career.
- Youth travel increases the frequency of travel as an adult, as well as an increase in the number of destinations explored.
*Citation from the Student Youth & Travel Association (SYTA) from a 2010 survey.
Become the teacher you always wanted to be
As a teacher, you’re eager to provide the best and most educational experiences for your students. But student benefits are just the tip of the iceberg for teachers:
- Teachers bringing 6 or more students pay no expedition fees.
- Teachers gain invaluable educational and personal experience in the field.
Real-world adventure in a safe, supportive setting
Students will work with top international scientists, participating in research related to environmental science, biology, volcanology, climate change, or archaeology. Teens will have the opportunity to become a full participant in the scientific process, working in the field and lab. Depending upon the expedition, he or she may track or even handle wildlife, observe animal behavior, make observations under or on the water, or take a hands-on role in unearthing the remains of ancient human cultures.
While the adventure is real, it’s also carefully managed for safety and welfare. That’s because Earthwatch offers:
- More than 40 years of experience as a top-ranked provider of travel experiences for young people.
- Research teams typically are composed of 3 to 5 staff members, plus one or more teacher chaperones – so your teen is in excellent hands!
- A safety and welfare policy that ensures the right choices for your child’s accommodations, food, water, and field experience.
- Fully trained field staff and emergency plans for every unique location and situation.
If your teen is ready for an Earthwatch Expedition, you can be sure Earthwatch will make his or her experience safe, extraordinary, and memorable.
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