Florida Keys Marine Science Trip

During this school trip to the Florida Keys students will discover the fragile ecosystems of Florida's barrier reef. This reef is the third largest barrier reef in the world and provides habitat to an abundance of tropical marine organisms. Students will have a chance to actively explore the reef and see how it relates to the area's seagrass beds and mangrove habitats.

Sea Base located in Islamorada, Florida hosts our Florida Keys marine science program. The Florida Bay on one side and the Atlantic Ocean on the other surround Sea Base. This is an all inclusive science facility with its own harbor, science labs, dormitories, ship store and cafeteria. Sea Base is a perfect location to provide quality marine science service-learning programs. Snorkeling in a variety of marine ecosystems, volunteering at the Florida Keys Wild Bird Sanctuary, kayaking in mangrove tributaries and taking part in species identification guided by trained marine naturalists will reinforce science concepts introduced in the students’ classrooms. School groups will experience ecological concepts, as they relate to Marine Biology, and observe marine flora and fauna in their natural habitats. Along with the marine science educational program students will also take part in a comprehensive service-learning program where they will learn how an appreciation for marine science can be used to leave a positive impact on their local community. SCUBA can also be included as part of your program.

Core Curriculum:

Our core curriculum consists of seagrass, mangrove and coral reef ecology, as well as service-learning activities and invertebrate labs. Evening programs include squid dissections, night wades and shark studies.

Coral Reef Ecology

The coral reef tract, extensively developed off of Key Largo Key, has been compared to a tropical rainforest, because of its’ high biodiversity, fragility and susceptibility to human impacts, as well as its commercial importance, if properly managed and conserved. During an introductory lecture, participants will learn about: coral reef habitat, organisms that live there, coral reef growth, distribution, behavior and structural adaptations of reef organisms, mutualism present on the reef, coral reproduction and the importance of the mangrove and seagrass habitats to the reef ecosystem. Participants will snorkel over one of the reefs in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary.

Coral Fish Identification and Biology

Participants will learn about coral reefs and their importance to the ecology of the ocean. Students will also be introduced to reef fish through slide presentations/discussions. Here, they will learn to identify reef fish by using field marks such as shape, color and patterns, as well as by their habitat and behavioral characteristics.  

Sea Grass Studies

Seagrass beds are a commercially crucial habitat where spiny lobster, stone crabs, and baitfish abound. Participants learn about grass beds and their importance as nursery systems for a variety of organisms that make the coral reef their home. Through a series of net pulls students will collect organisms and identify them according to their phylum. 

Mangrove Ecology

Mangroves are biologically rich and create a crucial transitional zone between the land and sea. Participants will learn about characteristics of local mangrove species, roles mangroves play as habitat for a variety of species of marine life, mangrove distribution and their role in the production and preservation of island ecosystems.

Invertebrate Studies

We will introduce marine invertebrates with a discussion that will include identification and diversity, as it relates to stability and health. Participants will dissect and learn about the biology of squid and how their design is perfect for their specific ecological niche.

Science and Service-Learning

Participants will be able to volunteer in a variety of service-based programs. The emphasis of the service opportunity is to show students how an affinity for science can be used to positively impact communities. Opportunities include volunteering at a wild bird sanctuary, volunteering at John Pennekamp State Park, mentoring migrant children as well as a variety of other service opportunities.

• Trip Highlights Include:

• •  Mentoring/Serving the "Ghost Children" of Florida
  
  •  A night wade along the coast of Islamorada
  
  •  Studying the shallow bay ecosystem and conducting net pulls
  
  •  Snorkel along the coral reef
  

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  •  Explore mangrove habitat by kayaking in the back country

  • •  Squid dissections 
  • and more...
  
  
  To view a more detailed itinerary please click:  

  FL-Keys-4day (683 KB)

   

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