Where can I join an expedition doing scientific field research?

Question

At current I'm a junior in high school, but i will be graduating (in the top 10% of my class) at the end of the first semester next year (January 7, 2009). With an interest in pursuing science in college, and an adventurous background, I'd like to join an expedition in starting in the spring of '09. Anything were I could really get my hands dirty, work hard, and hopefully contribute to society, would be ideal. Although I've searched high and low across the internet, I've only found expeditions that were more closely related to adventure vacations --this is not what I'm looking for. In basic my question remains, where can I join an actual scientific exploration doing field research?

Answer 1

Most expeditions such as the one you describe are sponsored by companies. They often use college students, etc. You might contact the department of your major at the college you are going to attend and ask them if they have any leads for you.

If you have your own project and your own funding, you can create your own expedition, but I bet that's not what you are looking for. :)

Also try contacting:  http://www.earthwatch.org/