National Geographic Student Expeditions - On Campus Monterey Bay California - High School Student Travel and Community Service Programs

The Program

Edged with miles of sheltered beaches, the Monterey Bay area is home to redwood forests, lively scenic towns like Carmel and Santa Cruz, and the country's largest marine sanctuary. Photographers flock here for the natural beauty, and marine biologists have long come to study its wealth of wildlife. From our campus in the town of Monterery, set out with your team to experience this stunning region through the lens of your On Assignment project.

Settle into the campus of California State University, Monterey Bay, and break into teams to work on an On Assignment project of your choice (see opposite page). Then spend ten days developing your project with the guidance of National Geographic experts and trip leaders. Create a short film on surfing, or write an article on local efforts to protect orca whales—honing your skills through workshops and field excursions.

A typical day begins with a workshop or exercise focused on your On Assignment project—such as a lesson in editing digital photographs or a talk about regional conservation issues by a local expert. Then we'll head out on field assignments—a photo shoot, perhaps, or a behind-the-scenes visit to a marine research center. We'll also explore through active excursions—hiking, kayaking, snorkeling, or whale watching. We'll return to campus in the late afternoon so that you have some down time to toss a Frisbee® on the beach or review your photos. In the evening, attend an enrichment workshop on a topic such as giant redwood conservation or Ansel Adams and the Monterey Coast, or go to a film-screening.

Outdoor Excursions

Draw your inspiration from our spectacular surroundings as we explore the region on active excursions. Stroll through the vibrant seaside towns of Carmel and Santa Cruz, or ride a streetcar up San Francisco's legendary hills. Snorkel in crystalline waters and watch sea otters at play off Point Lobos. Gaze up at towering redwoods in a protected coastal forest, and hike to remote beaches at Big Sur. Go whale watching in one of the country's premier marine reserves and spend an afternoon learning to surf or sail.

The Campus: California State University, Monterey Bay

Just one mile from the shores of the largest marine sanctuary in the United States, the campus of California State University, Monterey Bay provides the perfect atmosphere for exploration and discovery. Established in 1994, the university features cutting-edge technology and spacious, modern facilities set amid the natural beauty of the Monterey peninsula. Students stay in double rooms in the university dorms, some of which offer views of the bay. Meals are served buffet style in the university dining hall, which uses organic produce from local farms.

National Geographic Emerging Explorer TIERNEY THYS is a marine biologist and filmmaker who studies some of the ocean's largest animals. From giant ocean sunfish, or molas, in Baja, California, to whale sharks in Taiwan, she has led and participated in numerous research expeditions around the world. Long-time resident of Monterey Bay, Tierney is currently compiling a book on molas.

ED KASHI is a photojournalist, filmmaker, and educator dedicated to documenting the social and political issues that define our times. A sensitive eye and an intimate relationship to his subjects are the signatures of his work. Ed's images have been published and exhibited worldwide, and have appeared in National Geographic magazine, the New York Times Magazine, Time, and Newsweek. Ed lived in San Francisco for 25 years.

Tierney and Ed will each join the program for several days.

Choose one of the following On Assignment projects. Throughout the ten days, break into teams to focus on your selected area of interest through field activities, workshops, and discussions.

PHOTOGRAPHY: Refine your photography technique in a series of field workshops, photo shoots, and critiques with working photographers and a National Geographic expert. Create a portfolio of surfers catching waves or sea otters basking in the sun. Photograph the diverse scenes around you — from Big Sur to the towering redwoods. Assemble a photo-essay on a subject of your choosing, and share your images in a final slide show.

JOURNALISM: Sharpen your observation and reporting skills through dynamic field exercises and constructive workshops with our instructors and a visiting National Geographic expert. Interview a fisherman and develop a feature story about his life, or pen a story on recent conservation issues in Redwood National Park. Visit Cannery Row, the location for Steinbeck's famous novel, and write your own profiles of the characters you meet. Craft a travel essay about an excursion to beautiful Big Sur, or interview a ranger about wildlife behavior at Point Lobos State Reserve.

MARINE BIOLOGY & CONSERVATION: Experience the diverse ecology of the California coast with scientists and conservationists. Spot orcas and seabirds in the waters off Monterey with local biologists, and visit a marine lab to learn about ocean habitats and marine mammal behavior. Consult local conservation groups about ongoing efforts to protect marine resources.

FILMMAKING: Join a team of aspiring filmmakers for this exciting On Assignment project. Begin with a series of field exercises designed to improve your skills in different aspects of filmmaking. Choose a topic; outline a storyboard; and set out to make a short film, such as a profile of a local fisherman or a journey through California's redwood country. Edit the film with your team alongside a highly qualified instructor and screen it on the final night for the whole community.

Your participation in a National Geographic Student Expedition provides support to National Geographic's mission of increasing global understanding through exploration, geography education, and research.