IISD-ELA E.L.S.E High School Field Course 2025

Our Winnipeg headquarters are located in Treaty 1 territory—the traditional land of Anishinaabeg, Cree, Ojibwe-Cree, Dakota, and Dene Peoples, and the homeland of the Métis Nation. The IISD Experimental Lakes Area field station is in the traditional land of the Anishinaabe Nation in Treaty 3 territory and the homeland of the Métis Nation.


The Experimental Lakes Student Experience (E.L.S.E) Field Course is an exceptional educational experience, designed for students entering grades 11 and 12 (preference will be given to students entering grade 12). The purpose is to foster science learning and ecological literacy, while encouraging each participant to consider a career in ecological sciences. For two busy weeks, students will work side-by-side with world class scientists in an immersive environment conducting whole ecosystem research.

This year's ELSE Course will run July 13th to 25th, 2025. Students will be guided by an experienced, certified teacher and by IISD-ELA Education and Relations staff. Students will have transportation provided from Winnipeg, live in comfortable accommodations, have food service and modern amenities fully provided. Students will also participate in challenging, 3-night back country canoe trip.

Each student will take responsibility for their own learning and must demonstrate personal integrity, independent leadership, and environmental stewardship always. There is zero tolerance for any behavior that is not considered respectful. Such behaviour will lead to immediate termination from the program.

Interested students should tell us about themselves in an honest account, indicating their interest and commitment to the E.L.S.E program, should they be selected. All applicants will be notified within four weeks after the closing date.

If interested, please fill out this form by February 13th, 2025! We recommend that you get your applications in early. We will let you know if you have secured a spot by March 14th, 2025.

Your responses on this application will be kept confidential.

IISD-Experimental Lakes Area is committed to fostering a more equitable and sustainable world and welcomes candidates who uphold our values of diversity, equity, and inclusion. In addition, to correct the conditions of social injustices and disadvantages in providing opportunities, we encourage students from historically marginalized groups, including women, Indigenous Peoples, people with disabilities, people from different racial and ethnic backgrounds, and those who identify themselves as 2SLGBTQ+.

All response boxes will expand to accommodate your full response.

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* 1. Student's Contact Information

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* 2. What are your pronouns

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* 3. Student's grade as of September 2025 (next year)

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* 4. Parent/Guardian's Contact Information

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* 5. School information/ References

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* 6. Describe why you wish to be a participant in the ELSE Field Course

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* 7. Where does your interest in science, ecology, and sustainability come from?  For example: school projects, co-curricular activities, or volunteer work have you done that might have increased your interest in what goes on at IISD-ELA? Perhaps a book or family member, or a personal experience honed your interest in science, ecology, and/or sustainability?

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* 8. Describe an activity you have experienced that was related to nature and important to you. The activity could have been part of a school course, a summer time or holiday experience, and either self-directed or a group activity. Describe who was involved, what was done, when it happened, where it happened, what the purpose was, and how you did it.

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* 9. Consider the activity you described in question 8. Explain why this activity was important to you. What did this activity cause you think or learn about? What did it mean to you while you were doing it? What meaning does it have for you now, as you look back on it?

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* 10. Some people believe that: "To get the most from an activity, you must invest all of your energy into that activity", or that, "What you get in return equals what you invested". Others believe that simply, "Being open and ready will result in the best learning and living". What do you think about any of these ideas? (Note: there is no correct answer, we are simply interested in your ideas.)

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* 11. Please provide examples of physical activities that you participated in recently that would contribute to helping you succeed in the physically demanding field components of this experience. (Ex. sports team, camping, canoeing, hiking, etc.)

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* 12. Would you describe your outlook on life as being a "glass half full" or a "glass half empty"? How would you feel in the following situation: You are outside, there are bugs biting you, it's hot, it starts to rain, and your rain jacket is not nearby. 

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* 13. To offset the cost to students of the ELSE course, there is limited funding available for students who would otherwise not be able to participate. These funds will be allocated based on need. If you are interested in being considered for a bursary please indicate your family's total annual household income and the number of dependents in your household. If you are not interested in being considered for a bursary, feel free to skip this question.

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