About Us
About Us
B
a c k g r o u n d
The Palisades High School A.P. Biology Marine Research Team will be on St. John May 31st through June 7th, 2003. The goal of the program is to introduce all aspects of reef and island ecology to the A.P. Biology students. This educational effort will promote an understanding of the fragileness and beauty of this unique system. Each year beginning in September the students enroll in the A.P. Biology class at Palisades High School begin a review of the work done on the island in the past year. Team leaders are selected from the previous year to coordinate the project for incoming students. This year six team leaders were chosen to organize the forty-one new incoming team members. Students study phylogenetics, island botany, and geology. Over the years, the group has been recognized with numerous awards on both the regional and national level. Many of our kids have gone on to further studies in biology and ecology at both the college and graduate school levels. To date, over four hundred students have participated in the program. To finance the program, fundraising is conducted. The program price per student is $625. This includes airfare, lodging at Maho Bay, and food expenses. The group is funded by contacting local businesses and community members for sponsorship. Donors become contributing businesses, sponsoring businesses, or environmental partner to the group. As money is donated, it goes to building student accounts until our funding goals are met. All chaperones and teachers pay their own expenses. Our chaperones represent a variety of areas of expertise and their biographies can be found below. We are particularly grateful to the folks at Maho for their continuing support of our group and also wish to thank all of our sponsors.
2 0 0 3 R e s e a r c h T e a m
|
Chris Natale - Grade 12 Rachael Anderson - Grade 11 Raquel Palacio - Grade 12 Melinda Brodbeck - Grade 12 Jenny Skow - Grade 12 Shawn Becker - Grade 11 Kelli Hvorecny - Grade 12 Jen Heckler - Grade 11 Alyce Simons - Grade 11 Tina Moll - Grade 11 Brittany Reiman - Grade 11 Ashley Walton - Grade 11 |
Roshelle Ravier - Grade 11 Nicki Rimmer - Grade 11 Bridgett Jamison - Grade 11 Erik Langenborg - Grade 11 Tiffany Jamann - Grade 11 Nicole Fox - Grade 11 Katie Lee Wright - Grade 11 Amanda Dinmore - Grade 11 Mike Skow - Grade 11 Katherine Koba - Grade 11 Teresa Thomas - Grade 11 Jessica Moninghof - Grade 11 |
C h a p e r o n e s
Mark Chilton - I was actually a student on the first trip that Pat Peterson organized in 1992. This will be my second time leading the expedition, and my fourth time on the trip. I have tried to create a trip that teaches environmental stewardship and develops a strong sense of curiosity within the students. I look forward to continually improving our research in what I consider a perfect living laboratory.
Chad Hauze - I work as a Network Administrator for IBM Global Services. Previously I was a math teacher at Palisades and before that a member of the research team in 1994 and 1995 when I was a student. In 2000 we made our first attempt at using a website and the Internet to communicate with the outside world while on St. John. It met with great success. This year we will continue that tradition with our message board, daily experiences and a 'what's new page.' Keep checking the site throughout the week to share in our experiences.
Ben Wachtel - I am a 1991 graduate of Palisades High School and currently live in Chalfont. I work as the media and technology coordinator for the Community Service Foundation, a nonprofit that provides educational, residential and counseling services to troubled and delinquent youth. I have never been to the Caribbean before and have been wanting to come to St. John for a while, so I was excited when my friend Mark Chilton asked me to help chaperone the trip. It's been a wonderful experience so far and I'm looking forward to the rest of the week!
Shauna Brown - I am a 1999 graduate of Palisades High School. I reside in Quakertown, and currently taking some time off from college, but planning to return in the fall to Bucks County Community College. I enjoy doing pilates and yoga, will try to do these on the beach with some of the students in the morning. For the past three years I was one of the field hockey coaches at PHS, so I know many of the girls on this trip. This is my first trip with the AP Biology class, and so far I am having a blast.
Dawn Anderson - I work as Field Engineer for Hewlet Packard, for many many years... I was asked to come on this trip by my daughter Rachael and her friends to chaperone. I am the only chaperone that didnn't go to Palisades. I went Perth Amboy High School in New Jersey. Camping is not something that I would normally chose to do, but, I must admit I'm having a good time.