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BELL: Field Ecology

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Invasive species.  Habitat loss.  Global warming.  Communities around the world face a myriad of environmental issues that threaten our cultures, our livelihoods, and even our lives.  BELL: Field Ecology focuses on the science behind the issues, and helps students develop the leadership skills they need to translate their scientific knowledge into environmental action.  True to the experiential nature of BELL, students work actively in the field, conducting experiments and making observations focused on evaluating the health of different Narragansett Bay ecosystems.  Students leave BELL: Field Ecology with a clear understanding of the scientific method and field research techniques.  These skills are applicable in school and in the world of work beyond.   

Curriculum highlights:

• Kayaking down a tidal river that feeds the Bay, stopping to explore salt marshes along the way
• A field trip to Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute to see and hear first-hand accounts of cutting-edge environmental science research
• A day of team-building in the trees on a high ropes course
• Developing an action plan that applies learning to pressing environmental issues at home
• A day on Brown's campus: touring research facilities, talking to faculty, eating dinner in the dining hall, hanging out on the Main Green
• Campfires on the beach

In this course, students will:

• Conduct scientific research, analyze data and present results to others
• Learn about the geological, biological and chemical processes that shape local ecosystems
• Evaluate the environmental and human threats to the health of local ecosystems
• Learn about their own changing leadership styles
• Learn how various leadership styles complement and conflict with one another
• Write and deliver an effective public presentation
• Refine group problem solving abilities
• Be challenged physically, mentally and emotionally

Dates

BELL: Field Ecology -ES900-2CL