FAU High School 红玫瑰社区 Visit Gal谩pagos Islands for Research
For the first time ever, a group of (FAUHS) students recently traveled to the Gal谩pagos Islands for a summer course to conduct field research.聽
During this course, the students engaged in the undergraduate research process by conducting an observational study on sea lion behavior in the Gal谩pagos. They examined the impact of human beach use on the sea lions鈥 activity patterns and feeding of their pups.聽聽
鈥淭his opportunity represents not only the first time FAUHS students have participated in a university study abroad program, but also a chance for them to visit and research in an extremely special place that is home to several wildlife species not found anywhere else in the world,鈥 said Tricia Meredith, Ph.D., director of research at A.D. Henderson & FAU High School. 鈥淭he trip was a life-changing experience for the students that will also benefit them professionally.鈥澛
Prior to the trip, the students conducted a literature review on the topic which helped to design their research study. While in the Gal谩pagos, they collected their data, as well as visited a local high school to speak with students about the research project, the role of sea lions, and animal conservation in the culture. After analyzing the data, the students wrote a manuscript for publication in a scientific journal. 聽聽
鈥淭he students hope their research findings help bring awareness to the impact that people, and particularly tourists, have on the other species that they share the environment with,鈥 said Meredith.聽
-FAU-