APES classes to visit Año Nuevo for third year

On March 8, AP Environmental Science students will have the opportunity to come face to face with an elephant seal.

The third annual field trip to Año Nuevo State Marine Conservation Area in San Mateo, planned by teacher Kristen Thomson, will allow students look for and learn more about various endangered species.

Thomson and 86 APES students will leave school at 8 a.m. and return around 2 p.m. While at Año Nuevo, students will break into groups led by experienced guides, according to Thomson.

“The guides will explain the history of Año Nuevo, the life cycle of the elephant seal, the geography of the area and [the groups] will look for elephant seals,” Thomson said. “The tour lasts about two hours.”

According to California State Parks and Recreation, marine mammals such as elephant seals and sea lions flock onto the sand dunes of Año Nuevo to mate, give birth, and rest. It is the world’s largest mainland breeding site of elephant seals, the breeding season being from mid December to late March.

The experience at Año Nuevo will allow the students to learn about endangered species and the action taken to increase the numbers of species in danger of extinction.

“The primary objective of the trip is that the students will understand what has gone on to save a species we thought was extinct,” Thomson said. “Other benefits include getting the students out into nature, taking the class outside of the classroom, being exposed to our native plants, animals and geography and having fun.”

Thomson, who has taught APES since it was established as a class three years ago, has taken her students on this trip every year.

“I love this trip and am planning to always take my students on it,” Thomson said.

Junior Yifat Amir is looking forward to the trip and anticipates that it will be a memorable experience.

“It will be fun to learn about endangered species outside of the classroom; I am curious about what the guides will teach us,” Amir said.