Our first module came to an end, which unfortunately meant it was time to say goodbye to Dino and his adorable field assistant Barabara. Ecology has set the stage for the rest of the Origins Field School, especially our next adventure, geology. Geological processes that have formed our current ecology have not changed throughout time. Thus [...]
We are now in Ileret, which is on the east side of Lake Turkana. We will be here for 7 weeks of the field school! Map of Lake Turkana. Ileret is on the northeastern side of the lake. Student dorms at TBI Ileret. Photo credit Deming Yang. TA Laura pretending [...]
During our last few days at Mpala, the students were immersed in the unique wild life and vegetation of Laikipia. Professor Dino Martins, director of Mpala, brought the students into the field to teach them about different forms of between species interactions. One example of this type of interaction is mutualism; where each species receives [...]
Origins Field School students observe a pack of African wild dogs at Mpala Research Centre.
After a few days of getting settled into their routine at Mpala research center, the students were ready to begin their first module: Ecology. For an introduction into dry land plants, Kenyan Botanist, Kimani, took the students around the research compound to look at the local plant life. Kimani showing the students different types [...]
Students of the Turkana Basin Institute Origins Field School observe a Hippo pod at Mpala Research Centre in central Kenya. Part of the Ecology course of the program, students' experiences at Mpala provide a context for visualizing the ancient landscape of Lake Turakana several million years ago.
Welcome to the Turkana Basin Institute field school blog Spring 2017! As the Resident Academic Director for the field school, I will be accompanying the students, TA's and instructors throughout all of the field school modules. It is my goal to ensure that the students have an incredible learning experience that they will carry with [...]