Latest Posts
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Barking Up Our Trees: How 3rd Graders Debunk Common Tree Myths
By Cheryl Cowan’s Third-Grade Students, Mayflower Mill School, Lafayette, Indiana Editor’s Note: Originally published in Dragonfly Magazine in the late 1990s, this investigation reminds us that the best science starts by testing the things we think we know. Our Spark When we started our tree unit, we looked at the pictures in our textbook. Based…
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Sweating Trees: Which Leaf Wins the Transpiration Race?
By Georgia Brown’s Fifth-Grade Students, Sanibel Elementary School, Florida Editor’s Note: Originally published in Dragonfly Magazine in the late 1990s, this timeless and inspiring inquiry was created by young investigators on Sanibel Island, Florida. It remains a perfect example of how local landscapes spark big questions. Our Spark Our school is on Sanibel Island, a…
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The Battering Rain Drumming on the Wooden Cabana
Reflections from my Earth Expeditions to Belize By Christian Gueits The battering rain drumming on the wooden cabana during the night was a violent soundscape. Every once in a while, a chilling call came from the surrounding shadows that hugged the structure. A warm, measly light emitted from the camping lantern the student within was…
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Threads of Renewal
Reflections from my Earth Expeditions to Australia By Shelby Elder My time on my Earth Expeditions Australia course this summer was not only a journey across landscapes but also across ideas, perspectives, and connections. Each place—Sydney, Tasmania, Adelaide, Kangaroo Island, and Townsville—offered a different window into the theme of interconnectedness, which became the thread tying…
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Life Outside the Comfort Zone: Lessons from the Vermilion Sea
Meghann McDonald is more than just the Executive Director of the Vermilion Sea Institute (VSI) in Baja California; for those who have seen her in her element in Baja, California, she is a mermaid who seems more comfortable underwater than on land. As a long-time partner for Project Dragonfly’s Earth Expeditions, Meghann has mastered the…
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How to Turn Discomfort into Leadership with Dr. Jill Korach
Most leaders try to eliminate awkward moments. Dr. Jill Korach leans into them. “A little-known fact about me is I sort of love uncomfortable moments,” Jill admits in this episode. “I think they are where we learn.” Whether she is figuring out how to eat with her hands in India or navigating a cultural ceremony…
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Become a Dragonfly Ambassador!
Help Us Find the Next Generation of Conservation Leaders Word-of-mouth is our most powerful recruitment tool! Thank you for helping us get the word out about Project Dragonfly. We are confident there are people in your circle for whom this program would be truly life-changing. To start, go here and request to join our Dragonfly…
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Top 10 Things We Loved About Learning About Conservation in India
by Kevin Matteson • Published 7/22/25 I’ve just returned from my third time instructing our Earth Expeditions course in India, “Species, Deities, and Communities.” Co-instructing with GFP graduate Kristen Hannigan, we were joined by 12 wonderful students for an unforgettable journey. There’s so much to celebrate from this trip that we’ve compiled our top 10 list below. But first, it’s…