Educator Academy in the Amazon

Registration for the Educator Academy is now open!

Transformative Professional Development

For K-12 educators ready for a life-changing professional learning adventure

Join us in Peru for our annual Educator Academy in the Amazon for an experience that will feed your soul, expand your professional toolkit for inquiry based science, anchor your global perspective, and change your definition of professional development.  Featuring interdisciplinary programming for elementary and middle school educators and in-depth conservation field research for high school AP/IB and university educators.

Morpho Inst_Amazon River (3)

Academy Dates

JULY 1-10, 2024*

Location

Peruvian Amazon

Group Size

28 participants

Academy Fees

  • $825 Morpho Institute Program Fee
  • $2425 land costs payable to our travel partner, EcoTeach

Airfare

You will arrange your own flights to Iquitos, Peru.  Flight costs not included in fees above. 

*Participants should arrive in Iquitos, Peru on July 1 and depart late afternoon/evening on July 10, with arrival back to the US on July 11.

Academy Details

EAA page
Overview

The Educator Academy in the Amazon Rainforest provides powerful professional development designed to transform student learning. Immersed in the Peruvian Amazon, teachers learn about this key global ecosystem while building their ability to engage students in scientific research, cross-cultural connections, and community-based conservation initiatives.  Skilled Peruvian guides lead natural history exploration – in small boats, along trails, and on one of the world’s most extensive canopy walkways. Professional scientists engage educators in field research and citizen science. Indigenous community members share their conservation and sustainable development projects and their goal of long-term sustainability of the rainforest resources on which their livelihoods depend.

Program evaluation indicates that educators return to their home settings with increased confidence, knowledge, and ability to lead student-directed field studies. Specialized tracks for elementary, middle school and HS/AP educators immerse participants in activities relevant to their interests and needs, with opportunities to collaborate with colleagues on ideas for classroom applications. Field activities support NGSS 3D learning, STEM, 5E, and more.

Summary of Fees

The cost for the Educator Academy is $3250. This does not include international airfare from the US to Iquitos, Peru. This fee consists of two parts: ● $825 Morpho Institute Program Fee which includes program administration fees, program resource kit, online pre-departure coursework and webinars, access to private online network for program participants, and donations to support our indigenous community partners in the Amazon. ● $2425 in-country land costs cover in-country ground transportation, room, board, naturalist guides, and entrance or activity fees specifically outlined in the Morpho Institute's Educator Academy itinerary. Travel is coordinated by EcoTeach and all travel-related costs must be paid directly to EcoTeach after you have officially registered with The Morpho Institute and are subject to EcoTeach's cancellation policies.

 

Syllabus
Itinerary
Pre-Departure
Map
Faculty
Study Sites, Projects, & Partners

Watch the video & hear directly from past participants

What people are saying...

“Amazing. I had high expectations, but overall this experience surpassed them on so many levels. The combination of the people involved, the organization and structure, and one of the most astounding places on Earth made this incredible.”  – Joan Bachynsky, Cristo Rey High School, NY

Every component of the academy can be integrated into my classroom, my curriculum and my teaching philosophy. The faculty provided high quality experiences and resources to help me do this! The best program I have EVER had the privilege of attending!” – Melissa Jordan, Sarah Scott Middle School, Terra Haute, IN

 

I left feeling inspired, renewed , and excited about what I will share with my students and peers. I was learning every hour of the day and evening. Not a minute of this trip was wasted. – Jenny Murphy, Sullivan Middle School, Lowell, MA

 

This has been the best professional development program I have ever participated in.  With quality staff presentations, shared experiences, hands-on activities, long term online resources, and the comradery of our group members, I am confident I will be able to share what I have learned with my students. Further more I feel that I have what I need to continue to learn. – Phil Kahler, Tualatin Valley Academy, Forest Grove, OR

Specialized Programming for Different Grade Levels

Elementary (K-5)

Explore the Amazon through the lens of place-based learning and inquiry. Visit Amazon schools, conduct service projects, and learn from villagers in remote communities.

Middle School (6-8)

Participate in research and citizen science, learning techniques directly applicable in your teaching while exploring the Amazon rainforest and connecting with local communities.

High School and AP

Take a dive deep into tropical ecology, community-based conservation and sustainable development. Learn from indigenous villagers, and make connections to your teaching.

Need More Information?

The Morpho Institute professional development field workshops are produced by a team of committed people who work together to make this a life experience for every traveler.

With questions about the educational program, syllabus, and experience in Peru contact:
Christa Dillabaugh, Director, The Morpho Institute
Email or Phone:  (913) 214-6126

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