Climate Action & Sustainability Summer Immersion

Bonaire, June 14 - June 25th, 2025

20 STUDENTS

3 TEAMS

10 DAYS

1 OCEAN IMPACT GOAL

Our flagship program is the most comprehensive deep-dive into climate impact solutions working hand-and-hand with our community partners.

Our curriculum targets a component of an Environmental Impact Project, preparing students to participate in real world research and conservation. Students apply for a specific team, receive training and mentorship in that area of study, and work together in a multidisciplinary environment on a targeted solution.

  • Impact Engineering Team

  • Field Biologist Team

  • Conservation Media Team

Conservation Media Team

The above video is an example of the type of final project the Conservation Media students will produce under the direction of the WHALEFALL creative director, Jim Wojtowicz

All Teams Have A Final Deliverable

The Conservation Media Team will produce a micro-documentary about environmental projects, and the students working on solutions.

The Field Biologist Team will crowd source a project such as coral restoration or collect data to advance science. All the data collected is available as open science data on Aqualink.org.

The Impact Engineering Team will advance a component of marine tech. Projects include updating smart ocean buoys with low cost sensors or ROV based photogrammetry mapping. All the software and hardware development is available open source on GitHub.

Impact Engineering Team

  • Remote Sensing on cutting edge Marine Tech

    Students will update Sofar Ocean data buoys in Bonaire for open science remote sensing of reef conditions.

  • Machine Learning (AI)

    Students will train a machine learning (AI) model on coral images collected from the ROVs & DPVs with Bioinformatic Professor, Philip Heller

  • Remote Operated Vehicle (ROV) & Diver Propulsion Vehicle (DPV) Design

    Students will design and build a Blue Robotics ROVs & DVPs to collect data and photos under the Engineering Team Instructor, Kurt Yeager

FIELD BIOLOGIST TEAM

  • Coral Reef Restoration

    Students learn the techniques needed to work in a coral nursery, and outplant coral on a restored reef.

  • Underwater Surveying

    Students will collect site specific ecological data.

  • Research Diver Training

    Students will learn the same techniques used by professional scientific divers.

SCUBA Diving is an option for all 3 teams

Diving is only a requirement for the field biologist team

Scuba Training & Certifications

  • OPEN WATER DIVER TRACK

    Students who are not yet scuba certified divers will be on the Open Water Diver track. Open Water Certification will be issued as a pre-requisite to the team training. Nitrox is a recommended optional dive specialty. Open Water Diver track students will be limited to 60ft on this expedition.

  • ADVANCED DIVER TRACK

    Previously scuba certified students will be on the Advanced Diver track. These students will complete additional training in night diving, nitrox, and deep diving. Advanced certifications will be issued with the completion of four specialty classes and a min. of 25 logged dives. Advanced track students will be limited to 100ft on this expedition.

  • Team Certifications

    Students in both dive tracks will earn the following certifications by team if they choose to participate in the scuba option:

    Field Biologist: Research Diver & Coral Restoration Diver

    Conservation Media: Underwater Video Diver (optional)

    Impact Engineering: Marine Engineering Diver (optional)

Place-BAsed Experiential Education

Bonaire, an island municipality of the Netherlands, lies off Venezuela’s coast in the southern Caribbean. Its reef-lined coast is protected by Bonaire National Marine Park. Beyond its rich marine life, the island shelters lizards, donkeys and birds within its immense Washington Slagbaai National Park, marked by beaches, lagoons, caverns and desert-like hills.

Our experienced team has been leading expeditions to Bonaire for High-School students since 2014.

TRIP DETAILS

    • WHALEFALL Educational Curriculum

    • 4-1 Instructor Ratios for In-Water Training

    • Resort Accommodations & Airport Transportation

    • 3 meals daily

    • Boat Dives

    • Equipment Rental

    • Complimentary wireless internet access

    • Donkey Sanctuary Tour

    • Mangrove Kayak

    • Dive Training & Certifications

    • Airfare to Bonaire (BON)

    • Local gratuity

    • Marine Park Fee

    • Island Entrance Tax

    • DAN Diver Medical Insurance

    • Basic Dive Gear: Mask, Snorkel, Fins, Boots, and Bag. (A student gear package is available at a discounted rate through partner dive centers.)

  • The Summer Immersion is $6900 per student based on two students per room. A single room is available for an extra cost.

    A $2000 deposit is due to reserve a space in the summer immersion.

  • WHALEFALL offers sliding scale tuition assistance for the summer immersion program based on financial need. Please indicated on the application if you are in need of tuition assistance for participation.

APPLY FOR THE NEXT SUMMER IMMERSION in Bonaire, 2025

The Bonaire 2025 Summer Immersion is a unique 10-day program offering hands-on experience in climate action, conservation, and sustainability. You’ll join one of three specialized teams—Impact Engineering, Field Biology, or Conservation Media—working on real-world environmental projects like coral reef restoration, documentary video production or marine tech development. With expert mentorship, you’ll gain practical skills, scuba certifications, and a chance to create a meaningful impact on ocean conservation. This is an ideal opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge science while exploring the beautiful island of Bonaire! 

Complete the form to apply to the Bonaire 2025 Summer Immersion. Submitting the form does not commit you to participation. If you and your family require tuition assistance and/or have additional questions please contact us at connect@whalefall.ngo