Students gain hands-on experience in urban ecology research within the unique ecosystem of the Ballona Wetlands, learning directly from LMU faculty and researchers.
This two-week residential program offers high school students an immersive experience in urban ecology and environmental science. Participants will engage in field research and hands-on activities, exploring how various scientific disciplines like biology, chemistry, botany, ecology, social science, animal science, and engineering converge to address complex environmental and social challenges in urban communities. The program focuses on the unique ecosystem of the Ballona Wetlands, a coastal estuary near LMU, where students will learn about diverse flora and fauna. Activities include daily lectures, lab work, and field trips to ecological sites such as Ballona Discovery Park and the Ballona Wetlands. Students will gain an understanding of field ecology and research methodologies, with specific topics covering hummingbirds, corvids, coyotes, osprey, trees, and songbirds. An artistic component involves creating painted hummingbird casts. The curriculum also incorporates learning about ongoing research by LMU-CURes' Lab faculty and undergraduates on topics like coyote management, hummingbird behavior, tree health, mosquito abundance, and water quality. The program aims to provide a pre-college experience, fostering a continued passion for environmental studies and preparing students for future academic pursuits.
A typical day involves a combination of daily lectures, hands-on lab work, and field trips to local ecological sites like the Ballona Wetlands to conduct urban ecology research.
This program is ideal for high school students with a passion for natural and social sciences, a love for the outdoors, and an interest in urban ecosystems and the human-nature connection.
Loyola Marymount University, 1 LMU Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90045
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