Ideas for Science Programs
Here are just a few examples of FTI's capabilities for custom educational tours. Talk to one of our tour coordinators about any ideas you may have for your next short-term study abroad program.
Biology
- Evolutionary Biodiversity - Use field research techniques to investigate key behavioral & ecological questions as you track endangered mountain gorillas & chimpanzees through Uganda.
- Integrative Biology - Study vertebrate & invertebrate animals in the Galapagos Islands & discuss the effect of tourism on the island with residents.
- Plant Biology - Explore the Costa Rican rain forest with a local naturalist to learn about conservation, monitor population of species & learn about the symbiotic relationship between plants & animals.
- Marine Biology - Visit the Marine Wildlife Training Center in El Salvador to learn about the local mission to protect the critically endangered Hawksbill Sea Turtles during a field methodology course.
- Health - Conduct interviews with centenarians & meet with local doctors in the Blue Zone on the island of Ikaria, Greece.
- Genetics - Meet with a global leader in human genome research in Iceland & learn about their discoveries of genetic risk factors for a variety of common diseases from cardiovascular disease to cancer.
- Ornithology - Join a local naturalist to explore Akagera National Park in Rwanda, home to 525 bird species (the highest concentration of birds per square kilometer of any national park in Africa).
Earth Sciences
- Geological Research & Climate Change - Meet with scientists at an active Antarctic research station. Observe iceberg formations & wildlife, including: seabirds, seals & whales.
- Geology/Mining - Explore one of the Cerro Rico Mountain silver mines in Bolivia to learn about mining techniques.
- Geophysics - Trek into a volcano; hike on a glacier; stand between two tectonic plates; & explore the Langjökull ice tunnel in Iceland.
- Hydrology - Participate in projects focused on reducing soil erosion on local farms & rain water catchment in Tanzania.
Ecology & Environmental Studies
- Behavioral Ecology - Monitor & test hypotheses for individual & group behaviors as you work with researchers in the African bush. See how the Maasai live in harmony with their land.
- Ecology - Learn about aquatic ecosystems & how to analyze water quality through hands-on activities at a Costa Rican ecology education program.
- Geothermal Energy - Learn how they use geothermal heat to bake bread & grow organic vegetables while visiting a geothermal bakery & organic greenhouse in Iceland.
- Green Movement - Meet with an expert in Tasmania to learn how advocates of hydro-electric power kick-started the modern Green Movement world-wide.
- Sustainability - Visit a local coffee farm to learn about sustainable agriculture & fair trade in Honduras.
- Sustainability - Visit with a charity that works with businesses to improve their green credentials through sustainability.
Wildlife Conservation
- Big 5 Research & Conservation - Monitor nighttime movements & behaviors of the prides, assist with game counts & enter data to be shared with local researchers.
- Elephant Conservation - Attend a lecture with conservation experts at an Elephant Orphanage in the Maasai Mara.
- Lion Conservation - Work hands-on with the lions & conduct vital research alongside the conservation education team in Zimbabwe's Antelope Park.
- Sea Turtle Conservation - Participate in a Sri Lankan conservation project, caring for the center's turtles, performing night patrols & collecting eggs from nests on the beach to protect them from being sold in the market.
- Tasmanian Devils - Tour a sanctuary to learn about animal husbandry from their captive breeding program manager & receive lessons in the field on setting up traps & camera stations for the monitoring program.
- Marine Wildlife Conservation - At an aquatic project, created by the King of Thailand, students learn about marine wildlife conservation, diving, sea surveying & awareness education.
- Zoology - Behind-the-scenes access to the Australia Zoo to learn more about their conservation efforts first-hand.
Other Science Activities
- Agriculture - Meet with researchers at the Ghana Institute who are developing by-products of cocoa & other crops to diversify utilization & generate additional income for farmers.
- Organic Agriculture - Get hands-on experience with organic agricultural techniques & learn the traditional method for extracting sugar cane on a local farm in Costa Rica.
- Chemistry of Wine Making - Study the process of wine making from vine planting to harvesting through fermentation & bottling at a vineyard in Australia. Work in the lab to create your own blend.
- Space Science - Learn how solar winds react with the Earths' magnetic field to create the Northern Lights & meet with specialists from the Science Institute of the University of Iceland to learn about their research on the Aurora Borealis.
