GALÁPAGOS EVOLVING

Learn about evolution. See science in action.

Take the trip of a lifetime.

May 19-June 17, 2016

SCIENCE COMES ALIVE The 2016 running of the Galápagos Evolving trip will be two weeks longer than the 2015 trip, and features a substantial research-training component. Students who complete the trip and its associated course will gain an informed, working knowledge of conservation biology, field geology, ecology, and evolution as they are studied in what is arguably the world’s most important natural biological laboratory.

In addition, through home stays coordinated by the Galápagos Science Center, students will return with a new cultural perspective. The human history of the Galápagos is fascinating, as is the Ecuadoran context of the place and its people.

This experience is invaluable to students who want to learn how STEM fieldwork is done, how it informs laboratory work, and what kinds of careers there are in conservation biology, policy, ecology, and environmental science.

COSTS AND DEADLINES Though this year’s trip is twice a long as last year’s, we’ve kept the price the same (mostly through home stays and by partnering with the Galápagos Science Center instead of a for-profit tour company). The total cost of this year’s trip will not exceed $3,900.00 (though it may be a little less).

There are scholarships available to help offset the costs, including:

✓ The Honors College Travel Scholarship (must be a student in good standing in the Honors College; we will handle the grant process for students).

✓ International Education Fee Scholarship (IEFS). Awarded through the Office of Global Studies. We encourage you to apply and can help.

Students who wish to go on the trip must notify the trip leaders and agree to have their University Accounts debited with a non-refundable deposit of $500.00 by March 15. Payments on the balance should be made by April 1 and May 1. Costs include all flights, accommodations, excursions, and most meals.

TRIP LEADERS Dr. Andrew Hamilton

ahamilton@uh.edu

Dr. Tony Frankino frankino@uh.edu

Dr. Marc Hanke mhhanke@central.uh.edu

http://nsmn1.uh.edu/frankino/teaching/galapagos-evolution/

The archipelago is a little world within itself… Considering the small size of the islands, we feel the more astonished at the number of their aboriginal beings, and at their confined range. Seeing every height crowned with its crater, and the boundaries of most of the lava-streams still distinct, we are led to believe that within a period geologically recent the unbroken ocean was here spread out. Hence, both in space and time, we seem to be brought somewhat near to that great fact—that mystery of mysteries—the first appearance of new beings on this earth. —Charles Darwin, The Voyage of the Beagle (1839)

Research Projects Join new and ongoing work on these topics:

Study fresh water quality in the Galápagos, from field to town to laboratory, focusing on San Cristobal Island, home to the Galapagos Science Center.

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ITINERARY This trip will leave Houston on May 19 and return on June 17. Registered students will get specific flight information approximately 30 days before departure.

There will be a short stay in Quito on the Ecuadoran mainland before the flight to Baltra in the Galápagos. From there, there will be a short boat ride to the Galápagos Science Center on San Cristobal. Most of the rest of the time will be spent doing science, though there are several planned excursions, including SCUBA diving, snorkeling, and visiting several of the other islands in the archipelago.

A complete itinerary will be built and circulated by means of the trip’s associated course.

COURSE The instructors will run a three-hour Biology/Honors course meant to introduce the trip’s scientific projects, prepare students for extended international travel, and explore topics in human and social history of the archipelago. The course is scheduled for the final mini-nester of the spring term (session 6); it will run from April 5 to May 9th.

The instructors do not require that travelers take the course for credit, but very strongly encourage them to engage the course fully. This will be the only opportunity to gain the necessary skills and knowledge to contribute meaningfully to the scientific work being conducted in the islands.

SCUBA Scuba certification is recommended, and the instructors are facilitating the training. It is not required. Those who wish to get certified should let the instructors know. (SCUBA training is not included in the trip costs.)

Help build a laser-measured map of the caldera of Wolf Volcano on Isabella Island. This volcano is active, having erupted last summer. We will make the first centimeter-scale model of this caldera. (Led by geologist Dr. Pete Copeland.)

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Conduct a study of the critically endangered Galápagos Petrel, linking landscape ecology, population dynamics, and crowdfunding. Our trip is timed to occur during the Petrel’s laying season.

With the relative explosion of tourists to the archipelago comes concerns about wildlife. We’ll study reproductive success of sea lions at beaches frequented by humans, comparing populations at more remote locations.

In the water, we’ll study the aquatic ecology of threatened green sea turtles and hawkbill turtles. We’ll also explore sea urchins as an introductory system for scientific research for students as well as potential sentinels of change in marine coastal communities around Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, San Cristobal.