Turtle Camp Research and Education in Ecology
 TREE is an intensive two week research and education program for high school
students interested in biology. The activities take place at Turtle Camp, a research site
on the Mississippi River near Clinton, IA. Here, Professor Fredric Janzen of Iowa State
University and his students study the ecology of painted turtles and other reptiles.
 Students selected to participate in TREE will be provided with camping supplies for use
during Turtle Camp, food and transportation free of charge. It is also likely that we will
be able to provide student stipends for the two-week period.
 For more information on Turtle Camp and TREE, please visit the following websites:
http://www.public.iastate.edu/~fjanzen/TREE/TREEsplash.html
http://www.mvr.usace.army.mil/missriver/CampingPage/TurtleCamp.htm
Activities:
 Research: TREE students will participate in painted turtle nesting research and will perform planned ecological
research projects with a team of undergraduate and graduate students. Teams will present their results to the
group at the end of the two week period.
 Education: TREE students will read and discuss key ecological texts from the scientific literature as well as the
popular press and will record their observations in journals.
 Outreach: TREE students will explain their research to the public and may assist in creating informational
pamphlets and placards targeted toward the public.
Tentative Timeline:
 June 7 or 8 – High school TREE students arrive at Turtle Camp.
 June 20 or 21 – High school TREE students depart Turtle Camp.
 September 20 – Return to Turtle Camp to excavate painted turtle nests to retrieve the babies (optional).
Expectations:
 TREE students are expected to have a positive attitude and be open to diverse opinions and insights.
 TREE students are expected to be responsible, work hard and, of course, have fun!
Logistics:
All Turtle Camp participants live in a modern campground with indoor restrooms, hot-water showers, and electrical
access. Turtle Campers sleep in tents and typically cook over a campfire or camp stove. Thomson, IL (population
536) and Clinton, IA (population 27,000) are both within a short drive of camp and have laundromats, a library with
occasional internet access, restaurants and movie theaters. While the campground is modern and towns are
accessible, Turtle Camp can be challenging at times because of the heat, severe storms, and mosquitoes. The
safety of Turtle Camp participants will remain the number one priority. TREE students will be expected to work
during the morning, day, and evening, however, there will be plenty of personal time for phone calls (yes, there is
cell phone reception!) and appropriate recreational activities.
***If you are accepted, you will receive a detailed packet of information regarding Turtle Camp and the area.***
TREE Application Form
1. Please provide the following background information (print clearly in ink):
Name (Last, First, Middle)
Male
High school attending
Female
Current grade level
Address
Home phone #
Cell #
E-mail
Name of parent(s) or guardian(s)
Are you a U.S. citizen or permanent U.S. resident? YES
NO
2. Please indicate which ethnic group(s) you consider yourself a part of (this response is voluntary).
African-American/Black/Afro-Caribbean
Hispanic/Latino
American Indian/Alaskan Native
Other
Native Islander/Pacific Islander
Asian
Caucasian/White
3. Please list the science classes you have taken in high school:
(Name of course, course year, letter grade in course)
4. Please describe your attitude towards living and working outdoors and indicate if you have previous
experience doing so (i.e. camping, hiking, fishing, etc.). Also, please indicate if you have specific working
condition needs (i.e. handicap accessible).
5. Please describe why you are interested in TREE and what you would hope to gain from this experience,
specifically addressing how this experience will contribute to your education and/or career goals. Use
standard 12-point font and make your response about 1 page typed.
6. Please have one letter of reference mailed directly to the address below. The brief letter should be
written by someone who is not a relative.
7. Please mail or email completed applications to the following address on or before 10 March 2014.
Fred Janzen
(e-mail: fjanzen@iastate.edu)
EEOB Department
Iowa State University
251 Bessey
Ames, IA 50011
NOTE: If you are accepted, information from your application may be provided to Iowa State University
and/or to the National Science Foundation in grant applications for funding support. We will contact you
with our decision by 24 March, at which point you may opt to have information omitted.