When reunited with her students this fall, Holly Rupprecht has stories to share.
“The pre-trip training, ziplining through the top of trees ? that was absolutely magnificent,” said Rupprecht, AP Environmental Science teacher at Clarkston High School.
“I had an amazing experience working with the farmers and helping to collect data that will help them become more sustainable in the future.”
She spent eight days in the jungles of Costa Rica with an Earthwatch team, researching coffee growing and the environment.
Data gathered in the July 4-11 trip will help farmers in the Terrazu region of Costa Rica protect and maintain their communities, high coffee yields, and environment.
‘I came home with a whole new outlook on coffee, farming, and sustainable use of the environment,” she said. “I also have a renewed enthusiasm for teaching my students more about the challenges of environmental sustainability and the impacts of agriculture on our natural ecosystems.?
Rupprecht, who lives in White Lake, joined Clarkston Community Schools 33 years ago. On her way to her teaching job interview, she recalls driving through downtown Clarkston.
“I remember thinking downtown was beautiful,” she said. “I felt really comfortable ? I’ve never regretted that decision.”
She taught science at Clarkston Junior High School for two years and Clarkston High School ever since.
She applied for a fellowship with the Boston-based Earthwatch environmental nonprofit group this past year. A student in her AP Environmental Science class asked about summer programs, and Rupprecht asked around. A fellow teacher recommened the Earthwatch program.
“The more I talked to her, the more I got excited about it,” Rupprecht said. “I decided to apply myself ? I was really excited about more field science research.”
She earned a full fellowship with travel stipend, one of two for which she can apply in her career.
‘I learned so much about coffee production, sustainable farming practices, and Fair Trade,? she said. ‘It was a thrill to be a part of a scientific research project that can help to make such a positive impact.?
Research included soil studies, insect trapping and identification to determine arthropod diversity, ground cover analysis, plant density information and coffee production.
Seven of 10 members of expedition are teachers, and they plan to develop a network to share ideas, setting up a blog for their students all over world to talk about issues.
“One of my most important roles from my Earthwatch expedition will be the integration of my experiences into my science classes. I look forward to sharing pictures and activities with my students, seeing how they respond, and hope they will take away a greater understanding of how important a sustainable earth will be for their future.?
The Clowes Fund sponsored the trip, and also supports research into how Rupprecht uses the trip in her class.
“My students at Clarkston High School and a control group of students will be surveyed as a part of this study,” she said. “I expect that this study will show that these types of experiences for educators are impacting our students in a positive way and will support funding for educators to continue to have these opportunities in the future.”
Rupprecht plans to apply someday for another Earthwatch fellowship, perhaps back to Costa Rica, and also travels with a group of friends all over the world.
“The trips usually have a science twist,” she said. “We all have an interest in the natural world, in plants and animals.”
She’ll also encourage students to work with the volunteer organization.
“It’s a well-run expedition,” she said. “It’s a great opportunity, especially for students considering environmental career ? it makes a difference.”
She and her teammates blogged about the trip at costaricaearth watch2009.blogspot.com/.