Frequently Asked Questions
Nothing! The ACST Short Courses are free to those accepted to attend. You must cover your own travel expenses to the Biosphere 2 campus. All other expenses, such as food and room costs are covered by the ACST.
All contact hours will be counted; this will usually total around 16 – 18 contact hours. Please see course description for more information.
Our weekend short courses typically begin on Friday evening and
conclude on Sunday afternoon. The tentative agenda is blocked form 7:00
am until dinner at 6:00. There are nighttime activities, but most of the
time sessions will run from 8:00 am until 4:00, with a rest/break
before dinner at 6:00. Most Dinner sessions will have Guest Speakers.
Each short course agenda varies. Please view the course description you are interested in attending for more details.
No. As all our events are based on accepted applicants, there are
always hundreds of prospective attendees that do NOT get to come. Space
is limited at our events and in the B2 living quarters. It would be
unethical and wrong to allow family members to attend when other
teachers cannot.
Is the Biosphere 2 campus handicapped-accessible?
No – the Biosphere 2 is not handicapped accessible, and most of the
campus requires extremely strenuous activity. The campus is contained
on multiple elevations, with many stairs and hills to scale. Prospective
participants must take their own health and physical needs into
consideration when choosing to attend any event at the Biosphere 2.
Your room and meals are always paid for by the ACST. The
accommodations are beautiful but sparse. You will be staying in a
rustic, Santa Fe-style casita. Each casita has three to five private
bedrooms and a central shared kitchen and living room. You’re welcome
to bring food and beverages and to use the kitchen facilities, if you’d
like, but meals will be provided throughout your stay. (We will not be
serving alcohol but you're welcome to BYOB if you want.) Most bedrooms
have private bathrooms, although in some cases there are shared
bathrooms. The rooms are oversized and feature high-speed, wireless
Internet access and central air conditioning. Be sure to pack sunscreen,
hats, and rain gear, as the weather in this area is unpredictable.
Please remember to bring toiletries and any appliances you need or use
on a daily basis. Bedding, a set of towels, shampoo, soap, and lotion
are all provided. Additional blankets and an extra pillow are available
in the closet, along with an iron and ironing board. At night, the
casita village is well lit, but the surrounding property can be quite
dark. There is a flashlight in each bedroom. Come prepared for
encounters with native wildlife common to the area. The main gates are
open from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm. Cell Phone reception is weak.
The Biosphere 2 campus is quite isolated. The nearest convenience
store is at least 15 minutes drive away from the campus. Biosphere 2 is
located between Tucson and Oracle.