Climate Change and Caterpillars

Los Angeles Unified School District Teacher to Study Climate Change

with Earthwatch Institute

Kindergarten teacher selected for prestigious fellowship in Ecuador

Los Angeles, California– Roscomare Road Elementary School kindergarten teacher Linda Rauch has been awarded a fellowship by the Earthwatch Institute with a grant from the Grousbeck Family Foundation. Ms. Rauch will travel on scholarship in July 2013 to study Climate Change and Caterpillars in Ecuador, and her fellowship will require that she join Earthwatch in a time-critical mission to assist with conservation and research.

Ms. Rauch holds national board certification and came to teaching as a career change. After working in schools as a parent volunteer, she was inspired to return to college for teaching credentials. Ms. Rauch has been with Roscomare Elementary since 1998.

“I am excited to go on this expedition and teach my students about how climate change affects our surroundings,” said Ms. Rauch. “I’ll also incorporate the forest element into our science unit and the life cycle of the caterpillars we would be observing. I am so excited to bring my knowledge from this research expedition back into the classroom when I return.”  

Founded in 1971, the Earthwatch Institute is a leader in experiential education, engaging people worldwide in scientific field research and education to promote the understanding and action necessary for a sustainable environment. Each year, thousands of Earthwatch volunteers participate in expeditions and assist scientists.  Approximately, 3,500 students and 4,000 teachers have participated.

Ms. Rauch will work with Principal Investigator Dr. Lee Dyer of Tulane University and a team of researchers to find and collect caterpillars and their host plants. In an open-air laboratory, the team will raise caterpillars at all stages of their life cycles and record their relationships with plants and parasites. When not unrolling leaves in search of telltale caterpillar signs or labeling specimens in the lab, Ms. Rauch will enjoy striking views of the cloud-covered Andes, scan the trees in the neighboring Antisana Reserve for some of Ecuador's over 1,550 bird species. (Courtesy, Earthwatch.org, 2013)

Ms. Rauch enjoys photography and plans to take ample photos while on expedition. Upon her return to Los Angeles, Ms. Rauch will conduct a parent workshop to share the details of her research with the Roscomare community, enlightening her students about the realities of climate change.