Published on:
21
January 2013
Four Advanced Higher Biology pupils from Clackmannanshire are heading off to the Caribbean island of Cuba this summer to take part in a conservation project.
Operation Wallacea is an academic partnership that carries out conservation research at a number of different sites across the world.
They identify areas of scientific interest or areas of endangerment and conduct research projects within these sites, such as species identification and animal tagging. Four pupils from Lornshill Academy will receive a series of lessons about the local environment, learn how to identify local species, and collect and analyse field data.
The expedition takes place between the 28th June and 11th July, and is based on the Isle of Youth, the largest island off the coast of Cuba.
The main research objectives are: to quantify the coral cover and community structure in the Punta Frances National Park and identify any significant changes from previous years; to quantify the reef fish communities in the Punta Frances National Park and identify any significant changes from previous years; and to identify the manatee population and preferred feeding areas on the Isle of Youth.
Clackmannanshire Council's Education, Sport and Leisure Convener, Councillor Ellen Forson, said: "This is an amazing, once in a lifetime opportunity for these pupils. It will teach them invaluable scientific skills, will give them first hand experience of working in the field and the projects are also worth up to 70 UCAS points."
The pupils are extremely enthusiastic about this opportunity and are already working extremely hard to raise the necessary funds for the trip.
The cost of the expedition itself is £995, which covers food, accommodation and all training courses including PADI Open Water dive training, diving, snorkelling, participation in the various science projects, safety and medical cover and medical and evacuation insurance cover.
They are currently organising a variety of fundraising events to cover the cost of the expedition, including a 3-legged race around Gartmorn Dam at the end of January, a Ceilidh, bag-packing, as well as contacting local businesses and asking for support.