Education Student Development Student Challenge Step into your future Calling all students in Years 10, 11 and 12 with a sense of adventure and burn to contribute to real-world environmental issues! Full scholarships are available for you to join in week-long research expeditions during your school holidays. You’ll live and work in the field alongside Earthwatch scientists, doing hands-on research work like surveying fauna and flora, and monitoring carbon and water. As well as contributing directly to conservation research, you’ll increase your environmental and scientific acumen, learn about careers and future pathways, and make friends with other action-oriented students. 2022 Programs Ecosystems of the Murray River and Mallee - Applications now closed Calperum Station, South Australia: 2nd – 8th October 2022 Open to students in Year 10, 11 or 12 at South Australia Government schools. See more information via the flyer here. Applications for this Student Challenge are now closed. Protecting the Reef’s Coastal Frontier - Applications now closed Gladstone, Queensland: 3rd - 9th July 2022 or 18th - 24th September 2022 Open to students in Year 10, 11 or 12 at Queensland Government schools. See more information via flyer 1 and flyer 2. Applications for this Student Challenge are now closed. Protecting the Reefs Coastal frontier is a part of our Healthy Coasts campaign. Want to get involved? Click Here Have a question? Email us at [email protected] Student Testimonials Courtney Taylor, Protecting the Reef’s Coastal Frontier expedition - July 2022 "I have come back from this expedition inspired and with a mission. I left home rather confused as to what I am doing next year, and I have returned knowing exactly where my passion lies. Upon my return I have written newsletter articles for my school about this opportunity, I have convinced my student council to install bird strike stickers through school, and I have continued my fundraising for the Australia Zoo Wildlife Warriors (I have now raised over $10,000). Additionally, I have been looking into further citizen science projects to partake in for the future as well as a career in this same industry. Next year I plan to begin an education degree in hopes to join an Environmental Educational Institute to help inform future students of the importance of these habitats. I believe this trip has truly helped me understand the importance of this." Joe Buden, Ecosystems of the Murray and Mallee expedition - 2018 "I went on the April 2018 expedition to Calperum Station, and I want to say thank you. That experience has really redefined my relationship with the Australian environment, my sort of fundamental philosophy on it. I've realised that Australia is a nation very fundamentally rooted in our landscape, that our national soul is built on it. That in every Australian story, from Ned Kelly to Red Dog, the Land is a character, that there is a reason we sing "I am the rock, I am the sky, the rivers when they run." That very close physical interaction and experience with the country I experienced on Earthwatch has built that within me. I honestly dream of travelling to Tasmania and seeing, touching, the Centurion Tree. I've also realised that the national soul is under threat. That environmental policy is on the path to annihilate the foundation of our national myths, and leave our next generation a nation utterly removed from it's own spirit. As of last friday, I led more than forty people from my school to attend the school walkout in Melbourne. Slowly, steadily, you are making a difference, and so from the bottom of my heart I have to say thank you, so much to everyone at Earthwatch. That expedition has also helped me grow some of my strongest friends, however far they may be, I'm even looking into travel options over the next couple of months to see them again." Chayton Barber, Australia's Vanishing Frogs expedition - 2017 "I’m so glad I was accepted for the Earthwatch expedition last year, without it I never would have been involved in what I have since. It sparked a great fire in me. It gave me focus onto what I wanted to achieve in my life, at a time when I was needing to choose a path. And guess what? I’ve just got into a Bachelor's degree at Macquarie University for Biodiversity and Conservation Science! I can’t thank you enough for last year." Michela Skipp, Australia's Vanishing Frogs expedition - 2018 "The experience was absolutely amazing and has been a journey I will not forget. I came away from the trip with a profound new knowledge about ecology and mathematics, and gained a new perspective and appreciation for our natural environment. I think going forward it is increasingly important for us to be doing new research and have more work in the environmental and ecology sectors as they are both very much threatened by human impacts." Ayla Allan, Ecosystems of the Murray and Mallee expedition 2018 “This expedition has just set off a spark. I have never really had the opportunity to make a difference like I have always wanted to. But now I know how easy it is to get out there and how addictive it is to do the right thing." COVID Vaccination Policy Our COVID vaccination policy follows the latest Australian Government advice. For minors (students under the age of 18 years), COVID vaccinations are strongly encouraged and boosters are recommended. It is not compulsory for students to be vaccinated in order to participate in a Student Challenge expedition. All adult (over the age of 18 years) Earthwatch staff and on-ground research staff are required to produce verified proof of full COVID vaccination (double dose) unless medically exempt. Our COVID policy is subject to change/check webpage regularly for up to date information.