Download the Galapagos Islands

Senior Project
Galapagos 2015
Application - DUE DATE 12/1
The Galápagos Islands are a group of 13 islands and many islets surrounding the equator
and located in the Eastern Pacific Ocean 600 miles west of mainland Ecuador. The
islands and surrounding waters are a part of the Galápagos National Park, which belong
to Ecuador. Relatively young, in geological terms, the islands are the result of volcanic
eruptions and land uplifts.
Due to its location in the middle of the ocean, the Galápagos are home to some of the
world’s most fascinating endemic animal and plant species, as well as species that
migrated to the islands that have adapted to this unique environment. Among the most
legendary animal species we will find are marine iguanas and Galápagos land iguanas,
giant tortoises, sea lion colonies, blue-footed boobies and penguins. Within the rich
marine reserve we can find Galápagos sharks, sea turtles, and manta ra s, to name a few.
This enchanted place inspired Darwin s research on the origin of species, which
introduced the theory of evolution by natural selection.
The Galápagos Islands were declared an UNESCO World Heritage site in 2007 and soon
became a hotbed for tourism. Some of the islands’ main concerns are introduced species,
importation of new seeds, viruses and insects, management of human waste and the
islands’ long-term sustainability. As these issues, coupled with rapid growth in tourism
and the human population, threaten to wipe out native plant species and bring animal
populations to extinction, conservation efforts are now in everyone’s hands.
We have an application process for this trip because we anticipate that it will be
oversubscribed. The quality of your responses to the following questions and how well
you follow the directions and comply with the due dates all play a role in the selection
process.
For a complete application, you must email [email protected] to request a link to the
online application. The approximate cost for this project is $3900.
Financial Aid is available. Concurrent with the submission of this application, students
must write a brief note directly to Mr. Koskores explaining why this trip is important to
them.
Please contact Ms. King, Mr. Donovan, or Ms. Lukens with any questions.