Terra created unique and exclusive partnership with the Gerace Research Center (GRC) in San Salvador, Bahamas to offer marine biology research opportunities for high school teachers and students.

The GRC is a center of studies for marine biology, geology, and archaeology located on the island of San Salvador, approximately an hour and a half flight from Miami. Typically, the center caters to undergraduate programs and research, but in cooperation with Terra will now be actively working with high school groups to offer a unique research experience.

This is a two-step program: 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 every year from their schools. 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 US to the GRC site.

Teachers’ Bahamas Trip Training Program

Bahamas research trips involve two steps: the teachers themselves complete the actual program so that they are prepared for the step two: leading students through the program.

The teacher training program will involve a one-week in-service workshop at the field station. During your training you can expect the following:

  • A guide to booking and setting up the trip with Terra
  • Training and materials to recruit students
  • Guidance and materials to teach an academic program
  • Twice daily snorkeling trips to select sites on the island
  • Cultural experiences
  • For international Teachers, providing visa assistance for Bahamas
Participating teachers will leave this experience fully equipped and certified to set up and run a student trip confidently and professionally.

TRAINER
The training will be carried out by George Wolfe who has taken yearly trips to San Salvador since 1975 with as many as 62 students. George will walk you through every step of the process, from booking to dive site selection. Days will be spent in the field, evenings will be spent in the classroom, mirroring the trip as it will be run for students.

COST
Terra is able to offer this experience for the cost of the program: $1,100 per USA-based Teacher or $2,100 per non-USA-based teacher. This will cover all of the following:
  • Round Trip airfare to San Salvador, Bahamas. (From one of the major US airports, such as JFK, Miami, Atlanta, Chicago, Dulles, or Philadelphia. Additional fee may apply if flying from another airport within US. The per teacher fee does not include international flight cost to US. International participants must purchase their flights to JFK, New York or Miami, Florida Airports. International participants should arrive in Miami or NY a day before the groups departure flight to Bahamas).
  • Room and Board while on the island
  • GRC-sponsored limited accident and sickness insurance (with $25 copay)
  • Terra sponsored liability insurance
  • Suggested materials to use in recruitment, pre-trip orientation for families
and students
  • Academic materials to use while on the island
  • Certificate of Completion for in-service credit and possible reimbursement
from the school district. (Terra will accept payment from school districts if
they are paying).
A non-refundable deposit of $150 (included in $2,100/teacher cost) is required to secure your spot during application. You may either pay with checks or credit card. The checks, payable to Terra Science and Education, should be send 835 West Genesee Street, Syracuse, NY 13204. Please ask for a payment link for credit card payments.

SCHEDULE
Trips are scheduled when and if we have seven or more teachers are registered for the trip. Teacher trips are usually scheduled during winter, spring, or summer breaks. We usually schedule an early July trip during summer breaks. We can schedule a private teacher training programs if a group of seven or more teachers applied together.

APPLICATION
If you are interested in and would like to apply for the program, please send an email to [email protected] with the following information:
Full Name:
Address:
Country:
Cell Phone (international participants should have WhatsApp for communication):
Email:
School Name:
Subjects taught:
Closest Airport:
What do you hope to achieve with this training program?
Did you talk to your school leader about possible future student trips after this training?

For more information, please email Rick Beal at [email protected]

Terra Science and Education is proud to act as the official trip coordinator for 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 student trip cost is $2,350 per student. A minimum of 7 students must attend the trip to receive this pricing. One trained chaperone will be free with parties of 7 - 15 students.

The Student Trip to the GRC includes:

  • Round trip airfare to San Salvador, Bahamas from one of the major US airports, such as JFK, Miami, Atlanta, Chicago, Dulles, or Philadelphia. Additional fees may apply if flying from another airport within US. The per teacher fee does not include international flight cost to US. International participants must purchase their flights to JFK, New York or Miami, Florida Airports. International participants should arrive to Miami or NY a day before the groups departure flight to Bahamas.
  • Room and board
  • GRC technology fee
  • Educational materials fee
  • GRC-sponsored limited accident and sickness insurance (with $25 copay)
  • Terra sponsored liability insurance
  • Terra travel management (Flights, lodging, GRC paperwork)
  • Vehicle fees
  • For international students, visa assistance for Bahamas

Additional Options and Their Cost
  • Hotel stay in Nassau or Miami (if layover is needed) – ~$125 per participant (this is required for international participants and will include breakfast)
  • Air conditioners – $10 per night per room
  • Content expert (if available) – $3,000
  • Living Jewels Dive Tags – $15 per person (Donation to Living Jewels Educational Program)
  • Additional adult as chaperones or parents – $2,150
  • Miami/Disney Trip – the cost will be different based on the number of days.