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Project Kindle
Rekindle your passion for teaching... outside the classroom.
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Our Project Kindle fellowship was born from the dreams of so many high school teachers who want to provide their students with an immersive field learning experience, but who face barriers to starting such a program in their schools. Whether it’s a lack of funding or buy-in from school administrators, or a lack of experience in preparing a group of teens for a 7- to 14-day trip away from home, many teachers are unsure where to even start.
Your students deserve this—and you can make it happen. We’ll show you how.
Project Kindle is a fully funded fellowship program for high school teachers that addresses all of these concerns, giving teachers the resources and support they need to successfully lead their students on a transformative field experience within two years.
First, Project Kindle fellows join an Earthwatch expedition comprised of fellow teachers to experience life in the field for themselves. During the day, teachers work alongside expert scientists to learn research protocols and collect essential data. In the evening, Kindle fellows take part in a series of workshops that address topics such as raising funds, gaining buy-in from school administrators, addressing parental concerns around health and safety, and preparing students to travel on their own.
Each Kindle team is joined by two facilitators: one experienced group leader—usually a Project Kindle alumnus—and one senior Earthwatch staff member who specializes in youth group travel and will serve as the teachers’ go-to resource for guidance as they work to build and fund their students’ expedition.
After they complete their expeditions, Kindle fellows receive individualized support through conference calls, training manuals, crowdfunding technology, and more, right up until they’re ready to board the plane with their students for the experience of a lifetime. Continue scrolling for details on Project Kindle qualifications, award details, and how to apply.
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Apply for a Project Kindle Fellowship
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Please Note: Earthwatch’s experienced risk management team continues to develop, evaluate, and adjust our COVID-19 safety protocols in accordance with the most recent public health guidelines and travel advisories. We are proud to be fielding a growing list of "COVID Ready" expeditions that meet our enhanced safety standards. For more information on our new safety measures please visit earthwatch.org/covid-19.
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Project Kindle Qualifications
We’re looking for high school classroom teachers within the U.S. who:
- Are available to travel for 7–14 days
- Are committed to engaging students on an Earthwatch expedition within two years of participating on a Kindle fellowship teacher team
- Have time and flexibility in your schedule to take on this commitment
- Are passionate about education
- Have enthusiasm for collaborating with a team of teachers from diverse backgrounds and experience levels
Project Kindle Award Details
A Project Kindle Fellowship includes the full cost of your assigned expedition, including meals, accommodations, and on-site transportation. Fellows also receive a travel award grant to offset out-of-pocket travel expenses to and from the expedition site. Travel award value varies by project location.
Project Kindle fellows will also have the opportunity to join our growing Earthwatch educator alumni community. Members of this community will receive special access to an alumni Facebook group, seasonal Newsletters, and our Earthwatch educator webinar series
How to apply for a Project Kindle fellowship
- The 2023 team is full and will be going on Conserving Wild Bees and Other Pollinators of Costa Rica on July 9–15, 2023.
- If you weren’t able to apply for Project Kindle 2023, click here to complete an interest form! We will notify you when we select dates and launch the application for 2024.
- Direct inquiries to fellowshipawards@earthwatch.org.
Looking to spread the word about this opportunity with friends and colleagues? Please share our flyer for Project Kindle.
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I gained so many skills and strategies from the other teachers that I can directly implement in my classroom and in planning student travel expeditions.
— Matt Holden, 2022 Project Kindle Fellow
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Experience hands-on science in some of the most astounding locations in the world. Meet a community of like-minded travelers and return home with stories filled with adventure.
