• overview
  • U.S. teacher trip
  • U.S. student trip
  • INTERNATIONAL Teacher/STudent trip

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 for US Schools: 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.

This is a one-step program for International Schools: For international schools, Terra will help teachers to be trained when they travel with their students and help them to run the program. Terra staff will not in charge of students. All trips entail extensive snorkeling in Bahamian reefs as well as other scientific and cultural activities. Teacher cost and training is included in the cost of the program. Group is expected to pay for their international flight to Nassau, Bahamas.

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
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: $1,600 per USA-based Teacher. The meals at the hotel (if there is a layover), taxis between airport-hotel (Nassau or Miami) is NOT covered by Terra. The program fee will cover:
  • 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.
  • Room and Board while on the San Salvador island (it will be shared room)
  • 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, including PO).
A non-refundable deposit of $150 (included in $1,350 teacher fee) 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 $2,500-3,300 per student based on departure location, plane tickets, and the number of student participants. 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. Student fees can paid directly to Terra by the parents via credit card or checks.

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.
  • Room and board at GRC "San Salvador, Bahamas", 4-5 students in a shared room
  • 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

Additional Options and Their Cost
  • Hotel stay in Nassau or Miami (if layover is needed) – ~$125 per participant per day. Meals and taxis are not covered.
  • Air conditioners – $10 per night per room
  • Content expert-Terra Staff (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

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 $2,500-3,300 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:

  • Round trip airfare to San Salvador, Bahamas from Nassau, Bahamas. The international flight to Nassau, Bahamas is NOT included.
  • Room and board at GRC "San Salvador, Bahamas", in a 4-5 beds shared room.
  • 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

Additional Options and Their Cost
  • Hotel stay in Nassau or Miami (if layover is needed) depending on your international flight – ~$125 per participant per day. Meals and taxis are not covered.
  • Air conditioners – $10 per night per room
  • Living Jewels Dive Tags – $15 per person (Donation to Living Jewels Educational Program)
  • Additional adult as chaperones or parents – $2,150
  • Additional Universal Studios in Orlando Florida can be arranged for an additional cost (Minimum of 2 days at Universal Studios is highly advised)
  • Terra will provide an invitation letter with an itenary for visa applications, if needed.
  • Group has to arrange and purchase their international flight to Nassau, Bahamas and get Bahamas Visa if needed. If planning to stay in US, the group must also get a US visa.

Contact Us

Address: 835 West Genesee St, Syracuse NY 13204

Email: [email protected]

Phone/Fax: +1(315) 422-2902

501.C.3: A non-profit organization dedicated to the advancement of education.

 2020 Guidestar Platinum Medal Recipient for its transparency .

Copyright © Terra Science and Education 2020
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