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Namibia: Great Cat Conservation
(2008 Field Expedition classes are now closed. To apply to a Zoo Expeditions course, click APPLY above.)
| In Namibia: | Namibia: July 28 - August 5, 2008 (add 1-2 days travel time before and after these dates for your travel to and from the course site) |
| At Home or School: | September - early December 2008 (Web-based Learning Community) |
| Cost: | $1150 + airfare |
| Credits: | 7 graduate credits from Miami University; $3,143 in-state and $6,984 out-of-state tuition waived. |
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Travel to Namibia, Africa, with Cincinnati Zoo and Miami University instructors to join the Zoo's long-term partnership with the Cheetah Conservation Fund (CCF)--the global center of cheetah conservation worldwide. Ongoing research projects at CCF include radio tracking, cheetah physiology, ecosystem management, and the design of school and community programs in Namibia. Discover the power of inquiry to generate knowledge and inspire conservation. All students will have the chance to conduct an investigation of the local ecosystem, asking their own questions, collecting data, and presenting conclusions. Prior to and following the field experience in Namibia, students will complete coursework via Dragonfly Workshops' web-based learning community as they apply experiences to their home institutions. |
Course Themes
- Introduction to the ecosystems of Namibia
- Cheetah biology/ecology/conservation
- Ecology of top predators, particularly large cats
- Community-based environmental education and action
- Curricular development and educational leadership
- Land use and conservancy management
- Inquiry-based learning
- Participatory education
A typical Field Expeditions day in Namibia is likely to include:
- Visits to field conservation sites
- Lectures
- Student-led discussions of key course topics
- Engagement with local communities
- Open inquiries
- Journal writing
[Click on an image to open it in a new window]
Namibia
Namibia is located on the West Coast of southern Africa. It is a large country with a fascinating blend of African cultures and a modern infrastructure. The country gained its independence in 1990 and has a progressive constitution that provides for a democratic, secular state. Known for its dramatic environments, Namibia's shifting sand dunes, fog-shrouded coasts, and grasslands remain a sanctuary for African wildlife.Possible Sites in Namibia
Cheetah Conservation Fund (CCF)Most of the course will take place at or around the Cheetah Conservation Fund headquarters located in the bushveld ecosystem of North Central Namibia -- in the heart of cheetah territory. Under the leadership of Dr. Laurie Marker, CCF maintains a modern Research Center housing research facilities and a veterinary clinic, an Education Center, and a Visitor's Center.
Etosha National Park
We will visit Etosha National Park, one of the world's greatest wildlife-viewing locations, home to elephants, giraffes, zebras, springboks, elands, hyenas, lions, cheetahs, leopards, ostriches, and many other species.
(Course locations are subject to change.)
Dragonfly Workshops Web-based Learning Community
Upon acceptance into the program and before departing for Namibia, students will join instructors and classmates in Dragonfly Workshops' collaborative web community to complete pre-trip assignments. After returning to the United States, students will continue to work in their web-based community from September through early December to develop projects initiated in the field, discuss assignments, and exchange ideas. All students should expect to spend two to three hours a week contributing to their web-based learning community from their home or school computer. Navigating the web platform is easy--it's designed for people with no prior computer experience. To learn more about this unique web experience, visit dragonflyworkshops.org.A Word From our Participants
Hear from our past students and instructors as they describe their personal Earth Expeditions experiences.
Watch The Video
Cost: $1150 + Airfare
All basic expenses in-country are covered in the course costs, including:- Meals (incidental snacks and drinks not included)
- Lodging
- Field station fees
- Field equipment (as needed)
- Ground transportation (van, boat, train, etc., as needed)
- Park entrance and guide fees
Airfare: To estimate fares to Namibia, applicants may wish to visit an online fare finder or call a travel agent. Bear in mind that airlines have seasonal fluctuations in fares.
Financial Support
Because of support from Miami University and the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden, the course costs listed above are a fraction of actual program costs. Earth Expeditions recommends that accepted applicants to the program check with their school district or employer to see if professional development funds are available to further offset costs. Click here for more Grant Funding Tips.Tuition costs:
Non-Miami University ParticipantsTo support involvement by a broad range of educators from across the nation, Miami University is currently waiving all tuition for Earth Expedition participants who hold bachelor's degrees and who are not full-time students at Miami University. Upon successful completion of both the field and web-based components of the Earth Expeditions course, participants will receive seven graduate credit hours. (Approximately $2,500 for in-state and $6,200 for out-of-state tuition is waived).
Miami University Students
Full-time Miami University undergraduate and graduate students pay tuition for five credit hours unless they have summer tuition waivers through a graduate assistantship or scholarship. Miami students receive seven credit hours upon successful completion of both the field and web-based components of the course.
More Information
For more information on the admissions process, physical requirements, and more, please visit Admissions and/or FAQs.