Biocultural Exploration Short Courses
Biocultural Exploration Short Courses
Take your education outside with the Kino Bay Center
Custom-Designed Programs and Internships
We, at the Kino Bay Center, are experts in tailoring custom-designed programs and internships for educational groups and lifelong learners interested in exploring the regional ecology and culture of the Midriff Island Region of Sonora, Mexico. Participants explore desert and marine ecosystems, local Mexican and Comcaac communities and their own sense of place and personal expression. Programs vary in length and are all led by experienced instructors and Center staff. Programs most commonly focus on biocultural explorations and/or Spanish and cultural immersion. Internship programs are offered to provide opportunities for hand-on training in ecological monitoring, science communication and community-based education and capacity-building. All courses are based at the Prescott College Kino Bay Center.
Where the desert meets the sea
These short courses (5 days-15 days) are designed for small groups of ambitious students motivated to learn about marine, coastal and cultural landscapes. Tailored to complement each individual school’s curriculum, the Biocultural Explorations courses foster self-direction and personal growth through experiential learning and exploration. Courses focus on topics including marine mammals, waterbirds, sea turtle monitoring, indigenous knowledge, personal sense of place and more. Students participate in a variety of experiential field activities, discussions, readings and presentations. Through this program students gain a deeper appreciation and understanding of marine and coastal environments through a holistic lens that honors diverse ways of knowing.
Improve your Spanish and experience life in a Mexican fishing town
These programs strike an excellent balance between high quality Spanish instruction and incredible field trips and community activities. Students are placed into personalized, level-based Spanish classes focusing on grammar and vocabulary, as well as speaking and comprehension skills. Students will live with local host families in Bahia de Kino, which provides excellent opportunities to advance language and intercultural communication abilities. Additionally, students participate in community activities and local field outings to further engage in Spanish, while experiencing the culture, history, and ecology of coastal Sonora. The Kino Bay Center is very engaged within the local and indigenous communities. Host families and community members co-design program activities that work within local contexts and involve students with the social, economic, and cultural themes of the region.
Develop and apply skills and knowledge
Internship and Professional Practicum experiences give students and young professionals opportunities to learn new skills, work and live in a multi-cultural environment, explore the Gulf of California, and contribute to the work of the Kino Bay Center! All experiences are individually tailored, and can focus more heavily on ecological, cultural, educational, administrative or intra/inter personal explorations. Interns work with mentors to design a self-directed final project that contributes to the work of biocultural conservation work Kino Bay Center. Each internship and practicum experience ranges in duration from 2-6 weeks with a large cohort experience in late May. Prices vary based on number of participants, activities, and experience.
