Have you ever wanted to travel down to Coastal California for a week to have an experience of a lifetime with your fellow classmates? Well, here’s your chance. Next spring, Suffield High School is partnering with Ecology Project International (EPI’s) to provide their students with an ecology and marine science trip, where students will be placed into real world research hosted by the head of K-12 Science Coordinator, Mr. Kaput. A trip that has been in the works for over 15 years finally became a dream come true for students and Mr. Kaput himself.
During the week of March 14th through March 24th 2026, selected Suffield students will be traveling down to La Paz, Baja California Sur by airplane, where they will be doing a number of activities across an 8 day span. This trip will enhance students with multiple skills in research methods in ecology and sustainability, get students out of their comfort zone, and provide the opportunity to contribute to something truly meaningful and impactful for the world. With the help of a set schedule, students will have plenty of time to have fun but also be contributing to major real world projects.
What’s the schedule?
Day 1: This is when you’ll arrive in Baja by airplane, then travel north to La Paz, Baja California Sur. This is also where you’ll see where you’re staying for the next 8 days on EIP’s campus and familiarize yourself with your guides.
Day 2: Is when the real fun begins first by exploring the hiking trails in nearby areas and learning about coastal ecosystems to go snorkeling in the bay.
Day 3: You’re going to save a coral reef by helping project marine life and learn about major roles of underwater ecosystems. The group will also collaborate with many research partners to conduct an underwater census (a research method to monitor and assess the populations of marine organisms, mainly fish, in aquatic environments).
Day 4: Where the research begins. You’ll travel to Rancho Las Canosa to explore and investigate the desert ecology. You’ll take part in an ongoing reptile survey project.
Day 5 and 6: This is where you’ll be taking a deep dive in the search for marine life. You’ll be taking a boat into the Gulf in the search for sea lions, dolphins, and a bundle of marine life. You’ll then investigate microplastics and get hands on by helping in a local community beach clean up.
Day 6: You’ll embrace the local culture, by meeting a local cco-club in a discussion on ideas on how to make communities, cities, towns, etc. more sustainable. Later in the night you’ll go on a group dinner after a tour of downtown La Paz.
Day 8: Is where you’ll say your goodbyes from La Paz and fly back home.
How am I going to get work done from other classes?
Just like any other field trip, vacation, sick days, or any other reason not to be in school for any amount of time, you have to get your work done outside of class on your own time. I would strongly recommend contacting your teachers at least 2 weeks ahead of time and talking to them about the trip, how long you’re gone for, and when you’ll be back. I would advise students to not wait until the day before your leaving to notify your teacher and especially not during the trip either. Most teachers will accommodate you, especially because this is a school organized trip. It’s very important that you get your work done before you leave for the trip so you can do it over the week you’re gone. Over the course of the trip students will have down time to complete work if they wish, however it’s expected that you’ll have time after the trip to get work done as well. There is no need to stress it over the course of the trip. Have fun while it lasts.
Why, what’s the true purpose?
Some kids might be thinking, this trip is all about research and learning? Yes, on this trip you’re contributing to real world research to real world problems, discussing solutions to those problems, and learning incredible things about our planet. However, during my interview with Mr. Kaput had a different perspective to why he thinks this trip has a significant purpose and is important to students: “Just having the opportunity to go on this trip, having kids being taken out of their comfort zone. There are so many opportunities that come with this trip. I really just want to see students light up when they get there.” Mr Kaput said during our interview. Kids take the idea of a school trip thinking it’s going to be learning and researching, which yes there will be, but it’s more about what the meaning and purpose of the trip is. You’re going to the new place, which I’m assuming that almost everyone on this trip has never been to before. You’re going to be involved with the culture and experiences in the surrounding areas and contributing to real world problems. You’re going on this trip because you’re contributing to something that matters to the whole world.
The opportunity that comes after
After the trip obviously you’re going to be able to brag to all your friends and family about the experiences you just went on, all the fun you had, everything you saw, all the amazing food you tried and overall the whole trip. These are once in a lifetime experiences you’re going to take with you for the rest of your life. This trip comes with benefits that many people should consider when deciding to go on it if you’re a junior as of the 2024-2025 school year and will be a senior at the time of this trip. I would highly recommend putting this trip on your resume. Colleges love to see school trips like this, which I know that you’ll be making these resumes early senior year, but it would still be a good idea to put it on your resume so when you submit applications to colleges it’s there. If you’re a sophomore as of the 2024-2025 school year and will be a junior at the time of this trip then you have the same opportunities. Another huge opportunity that comes with this trip that not many people know about is the college credit that comes with it. It’s going to act like an ECE class and count for about 3 credits that will be directly referable to up to about 90% of colleges. What this means is depending on your college you won’t have to take a science general Ed for your first year of college or take a required class depending on your major, saving time, money, and stress.
Dock it up
I know this is a lot of information at once and it can be overwhelming. However, there’s a purpose for this trip just like there’s a purpose for me writing this. I’m currently a 2nd semester Senior at the time writing this and would have no possible way to go onto this trip, so why am I writing this? I know this trip brings amazing opportunities for students that they must capitalize on. I know that Mr. Kaput has put so much hard work and passion into this, and students should know about it and understand what type of work they are doing. Going into this I knew I was writing about something that I wouldn’t have been able to experience myself, so I wanted to educate students on this trip to encourage them about the opportunity and fun it’s all about. There’s limited spots so please contact Mr. Kaput as soon as you can. And yes they will provide you with your own snorkeling gear however definitely bring some sunscreen!
