Twelve teenagers, who might never have experienced life outside the inner city of New York, are on the Island for the expedition of a lifetime.

The teens, between the ages of 14 and 16, are the first participants in the JASON Project Explorer Camp at the Bermuda Biological Station for Research.

The camp is an extension of the JASON Project which was established by world famous explorer Dr. Bob Ballard, the discoverer of the Titanic wreck.

It is a year-round scientific expedition designed to immerse students in the world of science and technology and this year the two main expedition sites are Bermuda and Monterey Bay, California.

The adventures are broadcast live via satellite and Internet broadcasts which post the results of local field investigations online to initiate electronic collaborations with students around the world and to compare and contrast research findings.

The JASON website (www.jasonproject.org) provides graphics, video and sound clips, and interactive exercises on current and past projects.

In its pilot year, the JASON Explorer Camp in Bermuda provides young people another way to experience scientific discovery and organisers of the JASON Project hope to establish multiple camp locations in future years.

The teens are from St. Joseph's Villa, a non-profit agency in Rochester, New York that provides supportive services for children, teens and families.

The agency offers residential, educational, chemical dependency, and preventative services for young people.

Referrals to St. Joseph's Villa come from county Departments of Social Services, family courts, school districts, the New York State Division for Youth and hospital psychiatric and chemical dependency units.

Some of the teenagers on the Bermuda trip are residents of Villa, while others live at home, but access the facility for its services.

To come to Bermuda, they had to undergo an application process which included an essay and interview.

Since then, they have been preparing for their trip, practising snorkelling in the pool and completing orientation.

Rob, 16, said he was "really nervous about meeting everybody'', but was relieved all the youngsters on the trip were "a bunch of great guys''.

He also said his family were supportive of his trip and had all come to the airport in early morning to see him off.

And since the group arrived, their schedule has been jam-packed.

They have visited the Aquarium, Whalebone Bay, NASA's tracking station, Fort St. Catherine, St. George's and Cooper Island.

On the list of other places they plan to visit are North Rock, Nonsuch Island, Walsingham Mangroves, Crystal Caves, Hamilton and the town of St. George.

Jennifer, 16, said despite suffering from her first sunburn, the beaches were her favourite part about the Island.

"Bermuda is gorgeous,'' she added. "The beaches are so different from where we live.'' Harris, 14, agreed with Jennifer and said: "Yeah, the beaches here are much better, our beaches at home are beat down.'' Joe, 16, said he believed Bermuda was much better than "boring New York''.

"I've had a great time and learned not to swallow salt water when you are snorkelling,'' he said, laughing.

Villa president Roger Battaglia said: "St. Joseph's Villa is both honoured and excited to have been selected to participate in this ground breaking project.'' "It will provide a once in a lifetime learning and cultural experience for our kids,'' he added.

Michelle Palermo is the director of marketing and education programmes at Strategic Triangle Management Consultants who is the primary sponsor of the expedition.

"The kids have been very gracious about the whole thing,'' she said. "They know this is an excellent opportunity.'' HOW THEY REACTED "Bermuda is gorgeous.The beaches are so different from where we live.'' -- Jennifer, 16 "Yeah, the beaches here are much better, our beaches at home are beat down.'' -- Harris, 14 "I've had a great time and learned not to swallow salt water when you are snorkling.'' Joe, 16 "All the youngsters on the trip were a bunch of great guys'' -- Rob, 16 by Tony Cordeiro YOUNG PIONEERS -- Teenagers from Rochester, New York, enjoying the time of their lives in Bermuda.