Title: Approve Independence Middle School's 6th Grade Science Students' Trip to Costa Rica

Description:

The group of 15 sixth grade students (8 girls and 7 boys) will be chaperoned by three school board employees.  The group will depart from the West Palm Beach Tri-Rail station and transfer to Miami International Airport on Sunday, June 5, 2005 and will return on Sunday, June 12, 2005.

The trip will give students an opportunity to experience first-hand what they have researched in class:  wildlife in their natural habitat, as well as different ecosystems of the country.  The ecotour includes an opportunity to learn about tropical ecology at a private biological station, various nature trails, and adventures both along, above, and below the canopies of the rainforests.

The cost of the trip, per participant is $1,400.00, which includes all travel costs, accommodations, entrance fees, and meals.  A fundraiser is planned to assist students who encounter financial hardships for attending the trip.

The benefits to the district include:

• Broaden student/teacher cultural, ecological and geological awareness
• Aspire an appreciation of nature and the environment
• First-hand experience in a variety of geological and ecological settings 

Recommendation:

I recommend that the School Board approve an educational trip for Independence Middle School’s Science students to travel to Costa Rica, Central America, June 5-12, 2005 to study and experience the culture, to witness the wildlife in the ecosystems of the rainforest, and to observe geophysical features.

Financial Impact:
No Cost to the District

For Additional Information, contact:

CONTACTS:    Gwendolyn Johnson/Marisol Ferrer/Ann Killets(akillets@palmbeach.k12.fl.us)

Attachments (list):
Independence Data Panel.jpg
Ind. Field Trip.jpg
Ind. Itinerary pg 1.jpg
Ind. Itinerary pg 2.jpg
Approved Field Trip--Independence.jpg