Just about a year ago, my seventh grade class took a trip to Pigeon Key, FL to spend two days at a Marine Science Center. My school encouraged every student to go on the trip and after hours and hours of driving, we were greeted by many enthusiastic staff members excited to take us on the boat to Pigeon Key. When the boat arrived at the dock, I was immediately overwhelmed by the gorgeous scenery. Water wrapped around the island like a blanket, leaving only a small space for the buildings. At the time, there were a small amount of buildings on the island, housing a museum, multiple sleeping quarters, a small kitchen and outdoor dining room, a classroom, and other tiny structures. Almost immediately, we engaged in activities. We began by testing our swimming …show more content…
Through the classes, labs, and outdoor missions The Marine Science Center, in Pigeon Key, was just as it was advertised to my class: a Marine Science camp. We participated in several animal based adventures including tide pooling, which was my favorite animal-based adventure. I loved walking around the edges of the sea looking for small, oddball invertebrate. We worked in small groups and it was almost like my group was creating an extremely large collection of them. After an hour or two of intense searching, every team was called to a small tent to input their findings into the pool of invertebrates. Our groups best find was a couple of brittle stars, other teams found giant hermit crabs, sea slugs, and sea urchins. The most interesting animal was a large red starfish the staff members found previously, which I held. It was a bit larger than both of my hands put together, and was rough to the touch. After holding the starfish, I moved on to other sea creatures, each one more bizarre and attention grabbing than the last. At one point I actually kissed a sea cucumber (it’s said to bring good luck), which turned out to creepy and uncomfortable as I
This week we went to the Conodoguinet Creek. While we were at the creek we did many different things. One of the experiments we did was the Critter Count which was my favorite. Another experiment we did was the Eutrophication Tests. The last Experiment we did was the bobber test.
The trip was very informational and educational. The first experiment we did was critter count. We got into groups of 4 or 5 and one person from each group went into the the creek and got a rock and brought it back to the group. Then we looked at the bottom of the rock and observed the organisms. We classified them into group one, two, or three animals.
I did not see any dolphins in the morning but my grandparents told me that we were going to go see some dolphins on a dolphin cruise. Because Gulf Shores is on the Gulf of Mexico dolphins like to ride the waves when boats go out. We drove to the dolphin cruise place and we got on the boat. There were lots of old people on the boat. My sisters and I were the only kids on the boat.
After all the practicing and sharing, it was time for SPLASHING! Sunglasses and sunscreen were on, and friends were summertime ready! Friend has tons; I mean TONS of fun today during water play. They even created a water slide. Six Flags White Waters was here at the Greenhouse!
In the marine classes, the students will make the ocean their classroom, so the location of the island building makes it remarkable easy to go from the classroom to the water. The location of the O Waho Mountain School and the open air classrooms allow our students to connect with nature throughout the day. Students are never fully inside, because all of the classrooms are open to the air, so they are always in nature. Also, the school is conveniently located on the beach, with a mountain directly behind it. This allows teachers to bring students off campus into the mountains to study things like geology, or down to the beach to study marine animals.
Through Another’s Eyes As an American from the Midwest, the image that comes to mind of life on a Caribbean island is of paradise and tranquility. It’s a place to escape and not have to deal with long winter months of snow and freezing temperatures. A place one could enjoy beautiful beaches, tropical trees and foliage year round. Everyone has their own perspective of things whether they’ve experienced it first hand or formed an opinion based on things they’ve formed based on resources or second hand information.
The 6th grade Wildcat Training Camp was a success due to the amount of activities we had plan for our students. To begin with, students had the opportunity to use their scientific processes and habits of mind to solve problems by working collaboratively with their groups in a science contest. They had the chance to create/design and built a boat that would hold as much weight as possible and still float. Students’ had to use their creativity to make sure their boat were stabilized in the ocean and resist sinking. Then the strongest that stays afloat will win the contest.
Rhode Island College is one of many colleges in the state of Rhode Island, located on a 180-acre campus. While walking around campus glancing at the building surrounding yourself what do you see? When giving the topic to of what improvement Rhode Island College could make to better itself, finding a problem wasn’t difficult. Taking an architecture class during high school I developed a habit of whenever I walk around a new area I tend to see what can potentially be improved within the building surrounding me. When I walk around campus I see many flat roofs that aren't being used to full potential.
From a very young age, I’ve always been interested in science and its ability to explain natural phenomena, so naturally, I have been attracted to the South Florida Science Museum since birth. It all started with a “mad scientist” themed birthday party I had at the museum in third grade. I remember being fascinated by the exotic oceanic creatures in the touch tank and the experiments, which I thought were magic (because how else could white powder (baking soda) and a clear liquid (vinegar) make a volcano?). I knew that when I grew up, I wanted to work at the science museum so I could experience this level of joy every day.
I jumped in, and immediately began scrambling to make sure everything was alright. Once I finally got down to the reef, I was anything but scared. The reef was like its own underwater city; everything was so alive. The vibrant corals waving through the current, the schools of fish swimming around like they were performing some sort of dance, and the occasional turtle or ray that sparked
There I explored all of the different STEM fields. From the experience I have developed a love for biology and learning how small things affect larger things in the world around me. The next summer I participated in the Summer Science Research
My nerves from the first class unexpectedly came rushing back. These students grew into great swimmers, but I knew that the depth of the water could petrify them. The first few students were able to swim back up with little to no effort, but the last girl lost her footing and slipped into the pool and couldn 't resurface. I froze as I saw her struggling to swim and breathe. My mind quickly flashed back to the time I jumped out of my tube and almost drowned.
The voices of the glistening blue sea will obliterate your stressful mind. When I felt like I was going through a midlife crisis, I grabbed my flip flops, swim trunks, tank top, sunscreen, and lounge chair; while heading toward the Pensacola Beach. A person will be amazed by what they see, hear, feel, smell, and taste at the beach. Although, tourist attractions in Pensacola are marvelous, they’re well-known for having refreshing seafood. When I first stepped foot on the beach, I saw a massive red and white beach ball; spelling out Pensacola Beach.
“What a great day for a boat ride,” I thought to myself. It is a cozy warm, shorts and short sleeve shirt day at the time that people are arriving onto the big bulky catamaran. The sky is light blue with some dainty see-through clouds and a slight warm western breeze. I am located on one of the tropical islands of Hawaii, Kauai. The glossy white surface of the boat is blinding because of the reflection from the early evening sun.
I pulled back and had the fish hooked. I knew it had to be a big fish because it was hard to reel in. After about 25 or 30 minutes the fish was almost at the doc. Then I started to pull it out of the water and that’s when I realized it was a shark. The shark was about two feet long and weighed 45 pounds.