Marine Science students from Marine 1, 2, and 3 recently traveled to the Marine Lab in Key Largo from Jan. 16-18 for a field trip filled with hands-on learning and exploring.
Students took part in multiple boat excursions to study different marine ecosystems, including seagrass beds, mangroves, and coral reefs. While snorkeling at each site, students collected data and observed marine life they had been learning about in class.
Marine science teacher Mrs. Angelo, who led the trip, mentioned how she hoped students got a picture of how research is done in the field.
“The students got to snorkel and collect data at all of those different sites, but we also spent a lot of time in the lab doing hands-on experiments and activities,” said Angelo.
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The Marine Science Keys Trip took place from Jan. 16-18. Students visited the Marine Lab, ,and learned about marine life in hands-on experiences. Photo credit: Mrs. Angelo.
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The Marine Science Keys Trip took place from Jan. 16-18. Students visited the Marine Lab, ,and learned about marine life in hands-on experiences. Photo credit: Mrs. Angelo.
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The Marine Science Keys Trip took place from Jan. 16-18. Students visited the Marine Lab, ,and learned about marine life in hands-on experiences. Photo credit: Mrs. Angelo.
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The Marine Science Keys Trip took place from Jan. 16-18. Students visited the Marine Lab, ,and learned about marine life in hands-on experiences. Photo credit: Mrs. Angelo.
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The Marine Science Keys Trip took place from Jan. 16-18. Students visited the Marine Lab, ,and learned about marine life in hands-on experiences. Photo credit: Mrs. Angelo.
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The Marine Science Keys Trip took place from Jan. 16-18. Students visited the Marine Lab, ,and learned about marine life in hands-on experiences. Photo credit: Mrs. Angelo.
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The Marine Science Keys Trip took place from Jan. 16-18. Students visited the Marine Lab, ,and learned about marine life in hands-on experiences. Photo credit: Mrs. Angelo.
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The Marine Science Keys Trip took place from Jan. 16-18. Students visited the Marine Lab, ,and learned about marine life in hands-on experiences. Photo credit: Mrs. Angelo.
In addition to time on the water, students participated in classroom and lab programs at the Marine Lab, including water quality testing like measuring pH and salinity. The Marine Lab’s fully equipped campus, with dorms, classrooms, boats, and a cafeteria, helped the trip run smoothly.
“The really nice thing about the Marine Lab is that everything is there,” Angelo said. “It still takes a lot of work to plan, but everything went really smoothly.”
One of the most memorable experiences, according to students, was snorkeling in the mangroves, where the Marine Lab staff collected animals directly from the mangrove roots and brought them onto the boat for students to observe.
Junior Abby Lobel, a Marine Science student who attended the trip, agreed that snorkeling stood out as a highlight.
“The staff would collect animals from the mangroves and bring them back to the boat so everyone could see them, if you missed them while snorkeling,” Lobel said.
“The boat trips were amazing,” she added. “ We got to see the mangroves and the coral reefs, along with a lot of animals we learned about in class.”
Despite the slightly chilly water temperatures, students still fully participated in all activities.
“The water was a little cold, but the students didn’t let that stop them,” Angelo said regarding the weather. “They still got in and really enjoyed the experience.”
“For students considering Marine Science, it’s definitely worth it [joining the class],” Angelo adds, “We do so many fun field trips and hands-on activities, and this is one of the highlights.”
