Does anyone know of any good programs where you can travel to some place and spend a month or so doing intensive science learning as an adult while being out in the world where science is real? Think semester-at-sea for adults. Think learning geology while hiking in Peru. Thinking learning animal biology while in Africa. Think studying linguistics while working with people who speak a creole. Think adult Space Camp. A braniac vacation really.
http://www.earthwatch.org
Is this what you mean?
Here’s a link:
Great Learning Vacations
An aunt of mine did the Restore a Medieval Castle trip, and had a great time.
Most university departments will know about field opportunities open to non-specialists. For example, archaeologists and paleontologists often open their work to the public because it’s cool to dig up long-dead things 😉
The International Space University holds its Summer Session Program in a different country every summer. I attended in 2000 when it was in Valparaiso, Chile. This is basically a “Space Camp” for post-graduate academics… they accept lawyers, scientists, sociologists… the whole kit an’ caboodle (sp?).
It was a blast… 100 students from 50 countries.
I guess you found the answer to your question. But, I will give you another web link. UC Davis Extensions has those types of Expedition Programs.
These are all super great suggestions! I’m definitely open to more… i’m using them to dream about life after finals.
Hi Danah–Earthwatch has a bunch of science expeditions that welcome amateurs: http://www.nomoresocks.newscientist.com/products/detail.aspx?ProductID=379
Check out Wallop’s Island on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. My sister use to work there and they get GREAT access to government owned beaches. No one else is allowed out there so there are tons of untouched shells and no trash. I think they run week long science camps for teenagers through adults.
For Grownups Only = That’s what I just started!
Your posting and responsew are dated 2004. Anne, have you found what you were looking for? How exciting to find you via google.
I left New Orleans 1 month before Katrina, and moved to Bangkok, where I’m happily working at Assumption University. I have so many ideas about great places to visit, and was lucky enough to spend summers of 1993 and 1994 at the Experimental Breeder Reactor II at Idaho National Laboratory in the great lava desert outside of Idaho Falls. I was able to put the time to good use, and will publish the resulting novel, “Riskin’ It,” soon as an e-book.
Best wishes!
James Louviere