Terra created a unique and exclusive partnership with the Gerace Research Center (GRC) in San Salvador, Bahamas, to offer marine biology research opportunities to high school teachers and students.
The GRC is a center for marine biology, geology, and archaeology studies located on the island of San Salvador, approximately an hour-and-a-half flight from Miami. Typically, the center caters to undergraduate and graduate programs and research, but in cooperation with Terra, it will now actively work with high school groups to offer a unique research experience.
For U.S. schools and teachers: Initially, the teachers are trained by completing the actual program themselves. Later, Terra will help teachers who complete the training set up research trips to the Bahamas for their own students. Teachers trained by Terra may bring students from their schools every year. Terra may provide additional guides to teacher-led student trips if requested. All trips entail extensive snorkeling in Bahamian reefs as well as other scientific and cultural activities. Terra will schedule the program with GRC and book the flights from the US to the GRC site.
For international schools and teachers: For teacher from non-U.S. schools from other countries, Terra will help teachers to be trained when they travel with their students for the first time and help them run the program. Terra staff will not be in charge of students. All trips entail extensive snorkeling in Bahamian reefs as well as other scientific and cultural activities. A content expert and a guide will be provided as part of the fee to train the teacher while attending with their students in their first year. As long as the trained teacher leads their student groups in subsequent years, content experts and guides for other years will be optional.Bahamas research program for U.S. teachers and schools involve two steps:
The teacher training program will involve a one-week in-service workshop at the field station. During your training, you can expect the following:
For more information, please email Rick Beal at [email protected].
Terra Science and Education is proud to be the official trip coordinator for high school student trips to GRC in the Bahamas. Terra will reduce the teacher workload by handling much of the logistics, and communicating with GRC on your behalf.
The base fee per student is $1,650 plus the cost of travel per student. The cost of travel will depend on the departure city/country, the time of purchase, etc. A minimum of 8 students must attend the trip to receive this pricing. One trained chaperone will be free with parties of 8 students (additional free chaperones for every additional group of 8 students).
A nonrefundable deposit of 10% of the student fee per student is required at the time of application before Terra books the flights. The deposit is included in the per-student fee. The rest of the student fees are due at least 30 days before the trip. Student fees can be paid directly to Terra by the parents via credit card or checks.
The Student Trip to the GRC includes:
Groups will explore 8–10 different sites around the island. One day will also include a night dive. In addtion to the dives, groups will also explore a lighthouse and underground water cave.
Terra Bahamas Research offers international students and teachers a unique, immersive field-based learning experience that blends scientific exploration with practical skill-building. Initial teacher training occurs during the first trip—when teachers accompany their students—and includes both pre-departure sessions delivered via Zoom and on-site instruction led by a content expert.
In keeping with Terra’s philosophy of empowering educators, teachers—not Terra staff—will be responsible for supervising their own students throughout the program. After their initial year, teachers who have completed training will be fully equipped to lead future cohorts independently, with expert guides remaining optional for subsequent trips. This model creates a sustainable, scalable program where schools can continue returning year after year with confidence, strong preparation, and a deep understanding of the research experience.
Participating educators will receive dedicated training on zoom and in-person to prepare them for leading safe, meaningful research activities in the Bahamas. Zoom sessions will be scheduled before the trip to prepare the teacher for their first trip and provide information about student recruitment and academic program. During the trip, content expert will train the teachers about the sites and research. Since teacher will be occupied with training, an additional guide will also be available on the first trip to support teachers. Teachers will receive the following items as part of their training.
Content Expert: George Wolfe or his associates, who has taken yearly trips to San Salvador since 1975 with as many as 62 students, will conduct the training. George will walk you through every step of the process, from booking to dive site selection. Days will be spent in the field, and evenings will be spent in the classroom, mirroring the trip as it will be run for students.
Terra will reduce the teacher workload by handling much of the logistics, and communicating with GRC on your behalf.
The base fee per student is $1,950 plus the cost of travel and visa (if required) per student. The cost of travel will depend on the departure city/country, the time of purchase, etc. A minimum of 8 students must attend the trip to receive this pricing. One trained chaperone will be free with parties of 8 students (additional free chaperones for every additional group of 8 students).
A nonrefundable deposit of 10% of the student fee per student is required at the time of application before Terra books the flights. The deposit is included in the per-student fee. The rest of the student fees are due at least 30 days before the trip. Student fees can be paid directly to Terra by the parents via credit card.
The Student Trip to the GRC includes:
Groups will explore 8–10 different sites around the island. One day will also include a night dive. In addtion to the dives, groups will also explore a lighthouse and underground water cave.
A trip to Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida, can be arranged either before or after the Bahamas experience for an additional cost. A minimum of two days at Universal Studios is highly recommended so students can fully enjoy the parks, explore themed attractions, and experience the educational components built into many exhibits. Please request a quote if your school or group is interested in adding this option.
Teachers and chaperones will guide students through the parks, ensuring safety, organization, and smooth coordination throughout the trip. Terra does not supervise Universal Studios visits, so all student management and behavior expectations remain the responsibility of the school’s designated adults.
Whether your group wants an exciting kick-off before traveling to the Bahamas or a celebratory experience at the end of your research program, the Universal Studios option offers a memorable, student-centered adventure that complements the educational goals of the overall trip.
For more information, please email Rick Beal at [email protected].
Terra Science and Education is proud to act as the official trip coordinator for international high school student trips to GRC in the Sal Salvador, Bahamas. Terra will reduce the teacher workload by handling much of the logistics, and communicating with GRC on your behalf.
The student trip cost is $3,000-3,500 per student for a 6 days trip in GRC. A minimum of 10 students must attend the trip to receive this pricing. One trained chaperone will be free with parties of 10 students (additional free chaperones for every additional group of 10 students).
A non-refundable deposit, 10% of the student fee per student, is required at the time of application, as a deposit before the flights are booked by Terra. The deposit is included in the per student fee. The rest of student fees are due at least 30 days before the trip. Fees can be paid directly to Terra via credit cards by the parents.
The International Trip to the GRC includes: