Earthwatch Institute implements the Student Challenge Awards Program. Earthwatch is an international non-profit organization that recruits volunteers to share the work and costs of field research worldwide. Earthwatch was established in 1971 and has its headquarters in Maynard, Massachusetts. The research expeditions selected for this program are developed exclusively for Student Challenge Award recipients and are fielded only during the time period June 15 - August 15. Research disciplines focus on the natural sciences and range widely, from astronomy to microbiology.
Most projects involve field rather than laboratory research, or a combination of both.
Student Challenge Awards project sites are located in North America, Hawaii, or the Caribbean. Students keep to the research plans and daily schedules set by the Principal Investigator. The Willamette Valley Oak Woodlands. Each year The Durfee Foundation sponsors 70 to 80 award recipients. Since 1990, over 700 high school students have participated on Student Challenge Awards projects.