Evolution Explorers : Evolution, wildlife & marine science in the Galapagos Islands!
EVOLUTION EXPLORERS: ECUADOR
WITH EDUCATOR
Led by Lisé Whitfield
COST PER STUDENT:
Tuition coming soon
AGE GROUP:
• 8–14 years old
PERFECT FOR:
Perfect for curious students aged 8–14 who love wildlife, the ocean, and hands-on science, and who are excited to explore one of the world's most remarkable natural laboratories
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Set in the Galápagos Islands of Ecuador — one of the world's most extraordinary natural laboratories — Evolution Explorers is a four-week, place-based learning adventure in which students investigate evolution, ecology, geology, marine biology, and conservation in the very place that reshaped our understanding of life on Earth.
The adventure begins with a multi-island liveaboard expedition before continuing with extended learning experiences on Santa Cruz, Isabela, and San Cristóbal. Through snorkeling, hiking, wildlife observation, hands-on field investigations, and scuba diving opportunities for certified students, young explorers study natural selection, adaptation, volcanic island formation, marine ecology, and conservation firsthand while maintaining their own scientific field journals.
Students receive approximately 2 hours of Spanish language instruction per week and 2 hours of math instruction per week.
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Evolution & Adaptation
Students investigate natural selection, adaptation, speciation, biodiversity, and how organisms respond to different island environments. Rather than simply learning about evolution in a classroom, students observe evidence in the field and use those observations to ask questions and develop explanations.
Ecology & Conservation
Students explore marine and terrestrial ecosystems, biodiversity, human impacts, and conservation while learning alongside local naturalists, scientists, and organizations working to protect the Galápagos.
Geology & Volcanology
Students investigate volcanic island formation, lava, geological change, and the relationship between geology and evolving ecosystems. As both a volcanologist and science educator, Lisé will integrate geology and volcanology throughout the broader study of evolution and ecology.
Marine Biology
Students explore Galápagos marine ecosystems through snorkeling, coastal fieldwork, wildlife observation, and other hands-on investigations. Scuba diving opportunities may also be available for appropriately certified students.
Scientific Fieldwork
Throughout the expedition, students maintain scientific field journals, make detailed observations, sketch organisms and environments, collect and analyze data, ask questions, compare ecosystems, and use evidence to develop scientific explanations.
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Students move between focused academic learning and authentic field investigation throughout the program. A wildlife observation may generate a question we investigate back at our desks in a “Classroom”-like environment that better supports focus reflection; a scientific model or reading may lead us into the field looking for evidence; and observations from snorkeling, hiking, or conservation work may become data students analyze later.
The balance changes as we move through the islands. Santa Cruz will include more focused classroom/desk-based learning, giving students time to build foundational concepts, analyze observations from the liveaboard, work with data, write, draw, and develop their scientific field journals. Isabela and San Cristóbal will allow learning to become increasingly integrated with the environments and field experiences around us.
Students participate as one mixed-age learning community, ages 8–14. Instruction, assignments, discussion, math, and fieldwork are differentiated as needed so younger and older students can engage with shared experiences at an appropriate level of depth and challenge.
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The expedition culminates in a naturalist's field-journal showcase, where students share observations, data, illustrations, questions, and discoveries gathered across the islands.
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Tuition: Coming Soon
Final tuition will be announced once our liveaboard and transportation arrangements are confirmed.Student Tuition Will Include:
Full four-week WorldWise academic program
Student's 7-day/6-night liveaboard expedition
Student accommodations and meals aboard the liveaboard
Naturalist-guided liveaboard excursions and included activities
Mainland Ecuador–Galápagos flights associated with the liveaboard package*
Student Transit Control Card*
Wetsuit rental and onboard internet*
Student ferry transfer from Santa Cruz to Isabela
Student inter-island flight from Isabela to San Cristóbal
WorldWise educational field excursions and activities
Spanish instruction
Math instruction
Instructional materials and scientific field journal
Final flight routing and liveaboard package inclusions are currently being confirmed.
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Family accommodations during the land-based portions of the program
Student meals outside program activities during the land-based weeks
Parent and sibling liveaboard costs
Parent and sibling inter-island transportation
International/mainland travel not included within the confirmed Galápagos package
Family activities during designated free days
Personal expenses
THE FOUR-WEEK JOURNEY
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Thursday, 18 February – Wednesday, 24 February
Evolution Explorers begins with a 7-day/6-night liveaboard expedition exploring multiple Galápagos islands and ecosystems through naturalist-guided wildlife observation, hiking, snorkeling, kayaking, and other field experiences.
The proposed itinerary includes locations such as:
Charles Darwin Research Station
South Plaza
Santa Fe
Bartolomé
Chinese Hat
Daphne Major
Bachas Beach
Genovesa
Santiago
Rábida
Santa Cruz Highlands
Important arrival information: Families should plan to arrive in the Galápagos before February 18 so students and their accompanying parents/guardians are ready to board the vessel on February 18.
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February 24 – March 6
Wednesday, 24 Feb: Liveaboard ends; families check into Puerto Ayora accommodations
Thursday, 25 Feb: WorldWise learning day
Friday, Feb 26 – Sunday, Feb 28: Family/free days
Monday, Mar 1 – Thursday, Mar 4: WorldWise learning days
Friday, Mar 5: Family/free day
Saturday, Mar 6: Transfer to Isabela
Families should stay in Puerto Ayora.
Santa Cruz will be our most classroom-focused portion of the program. Students will use this time to develop their understanding of evolution, ecology, geology, and conservation; analyze and reflect upon observations from the liveaboard; work with data; write and draw; and develop their scientific field journals.
Focused desk-based learning will be interwoven with field investigations and experiences around the island.
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March 6 – March 13
Saturday, Mar 6: Arrive on Isabela
Sunday, Mar 7: Family/free day
Monday, Mar 8 – Thursday, Mar 11: WorldWise learning days
Friday, Mar 12: Family/free day
Saturday, Mar 13: Transfer to San Cristóbal
Families should stay in Puerto Villamil.
Our Isabela week will have a particularly strong focus on volcanology, evolution, marine ecology, and hands-on conservation science.
WorldWise is currently developing activities with local conservation partners, including Reef Revival, with the goal of giving students opportunities to engage in authentic hands-on science and learn about active marine conservation and coral restoration work.
Learning will move fluidly between field investigation and more focused academic work as students explore connections among Isabela's volcanic environment, marine ecosystems, biodiversity, adaptation, and evolution.
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March 13 – March 18
Saturday, 13 Mar: Arrive on San Cristóbal
Sunday, 14 Mar: Family/free day
Monday, 15 Mar – Thursday, 18 Mar: WorldWise learning days
Thursday, 18 Mar: Final day of Evolution Explorers
Families should stay in Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, preferably in or near the central waterfront/malecón area.
Our final week brings together ideas and evidence gathered throughout the expedition. Students continue learning through a mixture of field experiences and focused academic work while synthesizing their understanding of evolution, ecology, geology, marine biology, and conservation.
Specific San Cristóbal field partners and activities will be announced as they are confirmed.
Families may depart San Cristóbal beginning Friday, March 19.
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Students receive approximately:
2 hours of Spanish instruction per week
2 hours of individualized or small-group math instruction per week
Math is differentiated according to each student's level so students can continue progressing in their regular mathematics while participating in the expedition. Students who have math workbooks or homework can bring that and continue working through it with Lisé’s support. For those without a current math curriculum, Lisé will assess and provide appropriate work at their current level.
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Parents and siblings are warmly encouraged to join us for the liveaboard expedition.
Because of the nature of the expedition and overnight travel aboard the vessel, every enrolled student must have at least one parent or guardian accompanying them on the liveaboard. Students may not participate in the liveaboard portion independently.
Only one accompanying parent/guardian is required, but additional parents and siblings are very welcome to join, subject to available vessel capacity.
The enrolled student's liveaboard cost is included in WorldWise tuition.
Parents and siblings pay their own liveaboard costs separately. Final pricing for additional family members will be provided once our charter arrangements are confirmed.
Mainland–Galápagos flights for parents and siblings participating in the liveaboard are expected to be included within their liveaboard package, subject to final confirmation.
FAMILY ACCOMMODATION
During the land-based portions of Evolution Explorers, families are responsible for finding, booking, and paying for their own accommodations.
WorldWise provides the required town/area for each island so families can choose accommodations that suit their own preferences and budget while remaining conveniently located for program activities.
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Check-in Wednesday, 24 February
Check-out Saturday, 6 March
Nights 10 nights
Families should book accommodation in Puerto Ayora.
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Check-in Saturday, 6 March
Check-out Saturday, 13 March
Nights 7 nights
Families should book accommodation in Puerto Villamil, the small main town where the ferry arrives. Learning locations will shift throughout the week, but Puerto Villamil is compact and very walkable.
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Check-in Saturday, 13 March
Check-out Friday, 19 March
Nights 6 nights
Families should book accommodation in Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, preferably in or near the central waterfront / malecón area.
WorldWise will provide more detailed meeting information and local recommendations before the program begins, but families make and pay for their own accommodation reservations.
TRANSPORTATION
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Families should plan to arrive before 18 February so students and their accompanying parent/guardian are ready to board the liveaboard expedition on 18 February.
The liveaboard package is expected to include mainland–Galápagos flights for passengers participating in the cruise. Our anticipated routing is Quito → Baltra, with the return San Cristóbal → Quito after the program. Final routing will be confirmed before families book travel.
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The group will travel by ferry on Saturday, 6 March. The enrolled student's ferry is included in tuition. Parents and siblings pay their own ferry costs.
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The group will travel by inter-island flight on Saturday, 13 March. The enrolled student's flight is included in tuition. Parents and siblings pay their own flight costs.
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Evolution Explorers officially ends Thursday, 18 March. Families may depart San Cristóbal beginning Friday, 19 March.
FAQs ABOUT THE EVOLUTION EXPLORERS LEARNING ADVENTURE
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Curious and adventurous learners ages 8–14 who love wildlife, oceans, volcanoes, hands-on science, and learning outdoors.
Students participate as one mixed-age learning community. Instruction and activities are differentiated as needed so younger and older students can engage with shared experiences at an appropriate level of depth and challenge.
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The program travels through the Galápagos, beginning with a multi-island liveaboard expedition and continuing with extended stays on Santa Cruz, Isabela, and San Cristóbal.
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Santa Cruz Puerto Ayora — 24 Feb to 6 Mar
Isabela Puerto Villamil — 6 to 13 Mar
San Cristóbal Puerto Baquerizo Moreno — 13 to 19 Mar
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WorldWise will provide recommended areas and local guidance, but families are responsible for selecting, booking, and paying for their own accommodations.
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Following the liveaboard expedition, WorldWise generally operates Monday–Thursday.
Learning will include a fluid mixture of focused classroom/desk-based work and field investigation rather than designated classroom and field days. Exact daily hours will vary according to location and activities and will be provided to enrolled families before the program.
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WorldWise tuition includes the enrolled student's Santa Cruz → Isabela ferry and Isabela → San Cristóbal flight.
Parents and siblings traveling with the group pay their own inter-island transportation costs.
Local transportation required for student program activities will be coordinated by WorldWise.
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Meals are included for students during the liveaboard expedition.
During the land-based weeks, families should generally plan to provide their child's meals unless a meal is specifically included as part of a WorldWise field activity.
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Spanish is the official language of Ecuador. No prior Spanish is required. Students receive approximately 2 hours of Spanish instruction each week.
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No formal certification is currently planned. The emphasis is on authentic field science, scientific observation, conservation, and applied learning.
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A detailed packing and field-equipment list will be provided to enrolled families before the program.
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Yes! Family participation is an important part of the WorldWise experience.
At least one parent or guardian must accompany each student on the liveaboard expedition. Students cannot participate in the liveaboard portion without a parent/guardian.
Additional parents and siblings are warmly encouraged to join the liveaboard, subject to vessel capacity, and pay their own liveaboard costs.
During the land-based weeks, parents may also be invited to join selected field experiences when appropriate and space permits. Family/free days are intentionally built into the itinerary so families have time to explore each island together.
We have answered the most commonly asked questions about our Learning Adventures. You can take a look at them here.
