This past summer, Upper School biology teacher Brooke Keane spent two weeks in the Galapagos Islands, taking part in field research and fulfilling a lifelong dream to see up close the animals she had studied for so long. The experience was made possible by professional development grants in conjunction with being named a Cannon Endowed Chair for Science.
Brooke had not done this kind of in-depth field research since her college days more than 20 years ago. “I’m still processing all that I learned and how I will incorporate that into my classroom,” says Brooke. “But the most impactful aspect of this trip was how rejuvenating it was for me. It reminded me of why I’ve always loved this content so much. And I think modeling that enthusiasm for my students will make me a better teacher.”
Conducting Research with Experts
Brooke traveled with Ecology Project International, and along with 15 other female educators, conducted three different types of research for government-based agencies under the direction of an Ecuadorian marine biologist and a well-known curriculum specialist. “We were a diverse group that included teachers from first grade to high school, a college professor, and two zoo educators. After being out in the field, we would create a sample lesson plan that we could bring back to the classroom and how we could make the greatest impact,” she explains.
For the first part of the trip, the group stayed at an ecolodge in the Highlands, where they tagged and collected data on tortoises. This work is important because it’s not clearly known where tortoises go in the first four years of their life after they hatch.
The second scientific study involved invasive snails, which are a problem because they disrupt the natural ecosystem. “Basically, you set up a quadrant and you go through it meticulously. When you find a snail, you record data like size and sex before eradicating it,” explains Brooke. “Even though we were working in a quadrant that had been cleared the previous month, we still found 80 invasive snails. We also learned about the dogs who sniff out the snails, which was fun.” The third study involved collecting data on microplastics that wash up on the beaches of the Galapagos Islands. In addition to the field research, Brooke took part in exploring lava tunnels, snorkeling through a shark tunnel, visiting the Charles Darwin Research Center, and learning about and witnessing the behavior of numerous animal species—from sea turtles and penguins to birds and iguanas.
Immersing in the Local Culture
“I also really enjoyed learning about the culture, trying the different foods, and interacting with the people who live in the Galapagos,” says Brooke. “They cherish and respect nature and their vibrant ecosystem.”
With this experience Brooke is eager to bring her knowledge to the classroom so that her students can be researchers, too.