Teen Summer Programs
Summer Field Research Courses
Yosemite Institute offers the perfect opportunity for students interested in gaining experience with science and research in a wilderness setting. Come join us for an amazing 2 weeks of backpacking, learning, and adventure. This is your chance to work as a scientist in one of the world’s most beautiful and diverse natural outdoor classrooms while earning college credit.
Summer Field Research Experience: July 26 to August 8
This course provides hands-on experience for students to learn about the ecology of the Sierra Nevada while engaging in a spectrum of real research activities.
- Conduct scientific experiments in the field
- Learn how to properly collect and process field data
- Analyze and compile findings in a presentable format
- Work alongside resource managers and Yosemite National Park staff
- Present findings to scientists and researchers
Components of the Course
Component 1 - Yosemite Institute's Crane Flat campus
- Acclimatise to the area while reviewing and learning skills needed for the backcountry
- Investigate regional ecology and natural history
- Visit with researchers from Yosemite National Park
Component 2 - High Sierra
- Learn field methods used throughout the environmental sciences
- Use modern research equipment and technology
- Learn the basic concepts of designing biological field experiments
- Record and collect field data on various ongoing research projects
Component 3 - Yosemite Institute's Crane Flat campus
- Analyze and organize data collected in the field
- Prepare data to be presented to researchers
Credit
Student assessment for credit will be based on participation in all field activities and the quality of the final presentations and conclusions.
College credit is available through Columbia College in Sonora, California. This course is worth 3 semester credits, and students will receive a grade.
New Custom Courses
YI is now offering custom field ecology courses to interested schools and organizations. The courses are designed for high school students with an interest in environmental science and ecology. Courses can be available as 5 or 7 day courses from which students receive 1 college credit. Fourteen day courses are also available for 3 units. These are amazing opportunities for schools to gain valuable experience in field data collection, analysis of scientific data, presentation skills, gps and GIS mapping skills, backcountry and wilderness travel, as well as how to work well as part of a research team. Depending on your interests we can coordinate a variety of research projects that students can participate in.
To design a custom course for your school or group, please contact us directly for availability dates and costs.
