Students in Action Profiles
Career Services Places Students in Summer Expeditions
Class Year: 2004
Each person is assigned to a separate research project as part of the Earthwatch Institute's summer expeditions. Sean Fitch of East Montpelier travels to San Salvador for coral reef survey work. Veterinary Technology student Sandy Katz of Pownell will work to save endangered Hawksbill turtles in Barbados. A second Vet Tech student, Anna Hurlburt of New Haven, will help unearth fossils in Mexico and Architectural and Building Engineering Technology Professor Barbara Conrey will work to excavate an ancient Roman fort in England.
"Each of them received a full scholarship to participate in the summer projects," said Lauri Sybel, Vermont Tech Director of Career Development. "This is the third year the college has been involved in these expeditions. The experience helps our students to look beyond their own backyards and broaden their view of the world."
The four will go on their expeditions starting in late June through early August. Each individual expedition lasts from eleven days to two weeks. All of the field projects will challenge each person mentally and physically.
"Part of my assignment will be to patrol the beaches at night and look for nesting females and hatching babies," explained Katz. "I also will help measure the turtles and record nesting success. I hope I won't have too much trouble adjusting to the night-time schedule. I am thrilled to be making a scientific contribution to saving this endangered species."
For Anna Hurlburt, it's poisonous spiders and strenuous working conditions that concern her. Hurlburt will help excavate fossils in Central Mexico and will endure some dusty hot conditions while she works.
"I'm looking forward to leaning more about the evolution and distribution of animals," said Hurlburt. "I hope one day to be a veterinarian and believe this experience will broaden my knowledge of animals."
Sean Fitch will be literally hitting the beach and waters of San Salvador Island. Project participants will snorkel several hours each day and take ecological field measurements. On land they will map corals in tide pools.
Faculty member Barbara Conrey will work in a cooler climate as she helps excavate the site of a former Roman garrison and harbor. The Montpelier woman hopes her work will inspire students interested in architectural history.
"I hope to gain a deeper knowledge of the development of Roman settlements in England," said Conrey. "I want to pass that knowledge on to students in next spring's European classroom course which will travel directly through this part of England."
The expeditions pair people with working scientists internationally who are looking at issues ranging from wildlife management to loss of cultural heritage. The institute is a non-profit organization that works to forge links between science, the public, the environment, societies and economic development. Earthwatch projects operate in more than 50 countries.