JASON Learning is an independent non-profit organization based in the United States. Founded in 1989 by Dr Robert Ballard, their mission is to inspire and educate students everywhere through real science and exploration.
We were very fortunate to have the participation of the talented team from JASON Learning to help document the Penang Hill BioBlitz 2017. Video editor and producer Melissa Salpietra and irrepressible host Haley Nelson produced daily coverage of the surveys for subscribers of JASON Learning who followed the coverage from classrooms all over the world.
Unique to JASON Learning, the JASON Argonauts also have a turn are providing live dispatches from Penang Hill. The Argonauts comprised teachers and students from the US and Hong Kong and Penang. The Hong Kong students were supported by WWF-Hong Kong. The Habitat Foundation and The Habitat Penang Hill provided logistics support for all the visiting teams.
JASON’s Argonaut team followed the scientists participating in the BioBlitz as they sampled for biodiversity specimens from upper canopy to the species of the forest floor within of the 130-million year old tropical rainforest of Penang Hill. This data will be used in the bid to nominate the area as a UNESCO’s Man and the Biosphere Programme (MAB).
Through the expedition, students and teachers gained greater awareness of biodiversity, not only from the tropical rainforest, but also a greater appreciation of the flora and fauna of their home countries. Students also got the chance to experience firsthand what it feels like to be scientists and rainforest explorers, an experience for a lifetime, and for some, the inspiration for a career to come!
JASON Argonauts from the US, Hong Kong and Malaysia at The Habitat Penang Hill base camp during the Penang Hill Bio Blitz 2017.
View all the JASON Learning videos here.
Water Bear Survey Update – Penang Hill BioBlitz 2017
Learn about the search for tardigrades - also known as "water bears" with Dr. William "Randy" Miller during the Penang Hill BioBlitz 2017. A JASON Learning video.
Water Bear Survey Update – Penang Hill BioBlitz 2017View Video
Interview with The Habitat’s co-founder Reza Cockrell
Haley chats with Reza Cockrell, co-founder of The Habitat Penang Hill and The Habitat Foundation, to learn how the data from the Penang Hill BioBlitz will be used to support the conservation of this unique location. A JASON Learning video.
Interview with The Habitat’s co-founder Reza CockrellView Video
Colugo Ultrasound Call Discovery
Recorded on October 22, 2017 Haley catches up with Priscillia Miard on a night hike in the rainforest to record ultrasonic sounds made by the colugo- a discovery made during the Penang Hill BioBlitz.
Meet the Team – Fly Survey
A video from the Jason Learning team at the Penang Hill BioBlitz 2017
Update from the Bird Survey
In search of birds during the Penang Hill BioBlitz 2017. A video by the team from JASON Learning.
Bat Survey Update
Learn about how bat researchers collect specimens with Dr. Nurul 'Ain Elias and the rest of the bat survey team from USM during a night hike during the Penang Hill BioBlitz 2017.
Fly Survey Update
Checking in with Dr. Keith Bayless from California Academy of Sciences for an update on the Penang Hill BioBlitz fly survey.
Canopy Survey Update
with Dr. Wendy Baxter and Penang student Ryan on the trail for a quick update on the Penang Hill BioBlitz canopy survey.
Mosquito Survey Update
With Dr Durrell Kapan and students from the University of Science, Malaysia on a mosquito collection trip in the rainforest.
Fern Survey Update
Catching up with Dr. Natalie Nagalingum in the field as she collects fern species as part of the Penang Hill BioBlitz.
Herps Survey Update
With Dr. Jennifer Sheridan in the field as she searches for frogs, lizards, and other herps as part of the Penang Hill BioBlitz. A video by JASON Learning
Meet the Team: Arachnid Survey
With Dr Lauren Esposito from California Academy of Sciences. Lauren is part of the Penang Hill BioBlitz arachnid survey team
William Randy Miller