STUDENT SPOTLIGHT: Wilmington Students Travel To The Galápagos Islands Over April Vacation

Below is a press release from Wilmington Public Schools:

WILMINGTON, MA — Wilmington High School students traveled to the South American country of Ecuador over April vacation (4/17 to 4/25), touring the capital city of Quito as well several islands in the Galápagos, a Pacific archipelago 600 miles off the coast of Ecuador. These islands are home to a complex ecosystem filled with diverse and endemic plants and animals. Naturalist Charles Darwin was inspired by his observations of nature in these isolated islands and this is where he coined his Theory of Evolution by natural selection.

Spanish teacher Meghan Burns and Science teachers Julie Kim, Michelle Hooper and Jessica Daly along with 26 of their students spent nine days experiencing the vibrant culture of Ecuador. In Quito, located in the Andes Mountains at 9,350 feet above sea level, the students toured the city and observed religious processions on Easter Sunday. They visited the Intiñan Equator Museum at Latitude Zero, where they learned about the Coriolis effect and participated in hands-on physics demonstrations to test the effects of being at the Equator, such as balancing an egg on the head of a nail and seeing in which direction water drains in the northern versus southern hemisphere and on the Equator line.

Ecuador is home to 34 active volcanoes, and in the Galápagos Islands, the group hiked to the top of the Sierra Negra volcano overlooking its crater below. They visited the Charles Darwin Research Station and a tortoise breeding center, snorkeled with sea lions and sea turtles and observed wildlife up close–penguins, blue-footed boobies, iguanas, pelicans and flamingos. Students also had an opportunity to try local specialties such as empanadas, ceviche and cuy (guinea pig), and they visited the handicrafts market of Otavalo in the Andes region north of Quito where they were able to put their Spanish to the test.

WHS Senior Domenic Guisti said: “As soon as I saw this trip get announced, I instantly knew that this was the trip for me, a person who is intrigued by the natural world. There were a lot of firsts for me; first time on a plane, first time in a different country, first time away from my family. This trip was a once in a lifetime experience, and I’m so glad that I was able to immerse myself in a completely different, yet extraordinary place.”

Sophomore Cooper O’Shea said: “This trip honestly changed my perspective on the world. Getting to explore this beautiful country with my best friends is an experience that I will never forget. I have learned so much more than any class could’ve ever taught me, and that is such an amazing privilege.”

Photos From The Trip (click each image for a larger view)