1) Hi Nada, can you tell us what you've been up to since graduating from THINK Global School in 2022? Since graduating in 2022, I've been pursuing a passion I found while at TGS, sustainability, and I am currently majoring in engineering in renewable energy systems at Al Akhawayn University, in Ifrane, Morocco. But there is way more than that! I've had a chance also to explore the world of...
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Russell discovering the cleanest tree in the rainforest
THIS YEAR our students were privy to an experience that few others may lay claim to. TGS had the honour and privilege of being among the 700 people per year invited to visit the Tiputini Biodiversity Station in the Amazon rainforest in Ecuador.
This was an incredible opportunity to transfer knowledge and skills from the biology classroom into the ‘field’ and to explore the wondrous array of lifeforms and ecosystem dynamics that could only be experienced in such a remote and species-rich research station.
Exploring the Rainforest
Students not only had the chance to explore and discover the wonders of the rainforest conducted under the careful and watchful eyes of our wise and learned local field guides but also the opportunity to interact with ecological researchers at the station and learn about the importance and value that biodiversity has for our global society.
Below, find a copy of our itinerary of activities, which had to be modified due to a wonderful and tumultuous thunderstorm that struck late Saturday afternoon. Rather than being a detriment to our adventure, fierce joy was found on every smiling face as we hiked through the jungle or paddled our canoes in the middle of the deluge.
This was truly a spiritually inspiring scientific endeavour.
Tiputini Schedule of Activities
| Time | Saturday | Sunday | |
| 6:30am | BREAKFAST | ||
| 7:30am to 12:00pm | Group 1: Nature hike to canopy bridges. Group 2: Nature hike to canopy observation tower | Group 3: Nature hike to oxbow lake and canoe exploration of lake ecosystem. Motor boat return to camp. Group 4: Motor boat to oxbow lake and canoe exploration of lake ecosystem. Nature hike back to camp. | Nutrient Cycling Experiment with Substance X. Students split into 2 groups to perform scientific studies, record data and collect samples. |
| Group 2: Nature hike to canopy bridges. Group 1: Nature hike to canopy observation tower | Student processing of data, examination of samples, and preparation of presentation/play on ecosystem dynamics | ||
| 12:00PM to 1:00pm | LUNCH | ||
| 1:00pm to 2:30pm | Free Activity Time | ||
| 2:30pm to 7:00pm | Group 1: Nature hike to oxbow lake and canoe exploration of lake ecosystem. Motor boat return to camp. Group 2: Motor boat to oxbow lake and canoe exploration of lake ecosystem. Nature hike back to camp. | Group 3: Nature hike to canopy bridges. Group 4: Nature hike to canopy observation tower | Student presentation/play on ecosystem dynamics |
| Group 4: Nature hike to canopy bridges. Group 3: Nature hike to canopy observation tower | “Flotada” down the Tiputini river and piranha fishing | ||
| 7:00pm to 7:45pm | DINNER | ||
| 7:45pm to 8:15pm | Student Presentations | Night Hike to Explore Ecosystem Dynamics | |
| 8:15pm to 9:30pm | Night Caiman Watching | ||
Tiputini Schedule of Activities
(modified due to Thunderstorm)
| Time | Saturday | Sunday | |
| 6:30am | BREAKFAST | ||
| 7:30am to 12:00pm | Group 1: Nature hike to canopy bridges. Group 2: Nature hike to canopy observation tower | Group 3: Nature hike to oxbow lake and canoe exploration of lake ecosystem. Motor boat return to camp. Group 4: Motor boat to oxbow lake and canoe exploration of lake ecosystem. Nature hike back to camp. | Special Topics Lecture: Prof Esteban Suarez Guest Lecture on Tropical Climatology and Ecology |
| Group 2: Nature hike to canopy bridges. Group 1: Nature hike to canopy observation tower | Optional Hikes (3 Groups) or Study Hall. | ||
| 12:00PM to 1:00pm | LUNCH | ||
| 1:00pm to 2:30pm | Free Activity Time | ||
| 2:30pm to 7:00pm | Group 1: Nature hike to oxbow lake and canoe exploration of lake ecosystem. Motor boat return to camp. Group 2: Motor boat to oxbow lake and canoe exploration of lake ecosystem. Nature hike back to camp. | Group 3: Nature hike to canopy bridges. Group 4: Nature hike to canopy observation tower | Exploration of river ecosystem by motor boat, piranha fishing, and “Flotada” down the Tiputini river |
| Group 4: Nature hike to canopy bridges. Group 3: Nature hike to canopy observation tower | |||
| 7:00pm to 7:45pm | DINNER | ||
| 7:45pm to 8:15pm | Student Presentations | Night Caiman Watching | |
| 8:15pm to 9:30pm | Amazon Documentary | ||