Gregory Wilkinson, a seventh-grade math teacher at William Allen Middle School, is embarking on a two-week expedition to study climate change and caterpillars in Arizona.
“It’s a science-based trip” for environmental research, he said.
Wilkinson was granted a fellowship opportunity through Earthwatch — an environmental nonprofit organization whose mission is to engage people in worldwide science field research and education. He said he was originally going to Ecuador doing similar research.
“The trip didn’t have enough funding to take people from different geographical locations,” he said.
According to Wilkinson, he will help research parasitoids — parasites that live in caterpillars — to see how they are affected by climate, as well as looking into caterpillar defenses and natural vegetation.
According to the expedition description on Earthwatch’s website, volunteers will help scientists determine the types of caterpillars collected, if they have been attacked by parasites and plants the caterpillars seem to favor. The data collected would help establish a solution to the excessive vegetation damage found in past research that is caused by the increasing population of the Chinese tallow — a caterpillar introduced from China.
Wilkinson said some caterpillars are being born sooner, making it more difficult for the parasitoids to develop and feed on the caterpillar.
“The increase in caterpillars affects the amount of vegetation,” he said, adding the change of climate also affects the increasing population.
From reading about the research online, Wilkinson said he is looking forward to living in a research facility for 11 days.
“I am hoping to learn a lot more when I am on the trip,” he said.
Wilkinson will be stationed in the Southwestern Research Station, which is 5,400 feet above sea level. The research team will be stationed at the facility, but will be collecting data around the Chiricahua Mountains, which can reach 9,300 feet above sea level and are home to five types of habitats, according to Earthwatch’s website.
When the 2013–2014 school year begins, the goal is to take what he has learned in the field and teach it to his students.
Although he is a math teacher, Wilkinson said he has always had an interest in both math and science.
He graduated from Moorestown High School in 1999, went to Towson University, graduating with a degree in elementary education with an emphasis in math and science, and attended Wilmington University for his master’s in supervisory leadership and Walden University for his doctorate in teacher leadership.
Seventy percent of the time Wilkinson will be out in the field. He will spend the rest of the time inputting data and creating statistical models.
“I have always liked math. So, for me, I am curious to see what type of mathematics and statistics they are using to analyze the data,” he said.
To be selected for the fellowship, Wilkinson had to fill out applications and write an essay.
“In my essay, I wrote them and told them I loved being outside,” he said.
Last summer, he spent 31 days on the road, hiked the Grand Canyon and spent time at Yosemite National Park and other national parks.
After the review process, the organization asked if he could withstand rigorous conditions. With his experience and love for the outdoors, Wilkinson was selected.
He said he heard about the opportunity from middle school teacher Dan Smith.
By sharing his experience in Arizona with his students and others, he hopes it would open the doors for not only other teachers to take advantage of these opportunities, but for students to do the same.
“The organization also offers programs for high school students where they can partner with a teacher. Earthwatch has a lot of different programs. I think it would be a great experience for them. It’s not even so much as a resume builder but just to go out and see what the world is like and try to make a difference,” he said.
Wilkinson will be leaving July 28 and will return Aug. 7.
To learn more about Wilkinson’s trip, visit www.earthwatch.org/exped/dyer_arizona.html. If you are interested in going on an expedition of your own, or want to learn more about Earthwatch, visit www.earthwatch.org.
