Over spring break, Wilson will take part in a sea turtle monitoring project at the Pacuare Nature Reserve’s protected sea turtle beach. She will collect data on nesting sea turtles—including size, weight and number of eggs laid—and will use the data to create an original field-based research project. Wilson’s experiences will inform her work at Ellis, where she is also co-chair of the Science Department and teaches AP Biology.

Wilson was selected from a field of educators from across the country who took part in a competitive application process. Her participation is funded in part by a grant from The Ellis Janet Jacobs Enrichment Program (JEP) Endowment, which provides faculty and staff financial support for professional growth and enrichment. Ecology Project International is a nonprofit, educational organization that provides teachers with inquiry-based science programs that offer rigorous field conservation experiences and authentic cultural exchange. The goals of EPI’s Marine Education Fellowship include building supportive networks of educators working towards similar goals and giving educators tools to teach the latest field research techniques to their students.

The Marine Education Fellowship will build on Wilson’s previous field work and service learning projects, which include the Cheetah Conservation Fund in Africa, Orphanage Outreach in the Dominican Republic, and Habitat for Humanity.
 
Learn more about Ecology International and Ms. Wilson’s trip to Costa Rica here: http://www.ecologyproject.org/programs/costa-rica/