April 5, 2019
Today the 9th grade is traveling to the Cape Eleuthera Institute Island School located in the Bahamas. During their 5 day stay, they will gain a truely remarkable opportunity to participate in current marine research. Our ninth graders are up for the challenge, and eager to get their feet in the water and their research clipboards in their hands. We will be documenting the days events - so stay tuned to see what this once in a lifetime experience has in store for us!
April 6, 2019
We began our morning in the octagon, a meeting place where we learn about what is in store for the day. This morning's lecture was on sustainability. Our instructor Tatum stressed that sustainability isn't just about the environment but includes economy and society. When all three (environment, economy, and society) are best planned for, we have a sustainable community - nation - world!
We followed the morning lecture with a delicious island breakfast. At the island school they believe in community involvement and encourage a "togetherness" approach to everything from snorkeling to washing dishes. Up first for their shift in the dining hall was Peter and Isabella!
Sustainability Scavenger Hunt
I can't imagine a better way to learn about the island than with a scavenger hunt. The 9th grade went on a sustainability scavenger hunt of the campus. After breaking into teams they set off to find all the ways that the island school is considered a sustainable place to live.
The students identified several factors that make the island school's sustainable culture
ENERGY PRODUCTION DATA APRIL 6, 2019
After breakfast we went to a local mangrove forest, walked upstream against the current to then snorkle back with the current. The students were able to see the red and black mangroves and the number of fish and crustacens that abounded.
After walking against the current through the mangroves, we took a few mintes to sit and learn about the vital role they play in the ecosystem. Next, we snorkeled downstream with the current throught the warm waters in hopes of witnessing the amazing ife that abounds. Check out some footage of the day, below!
Wet Lab Part I
After lunch we traveled across campus to the wet lab to learn about the coral research that they are conducting. The students were tasked with prepping the large tank so that the coral fragments could be transferred.
The colored ribbons identify the different genets of coral. A genet is a coral of the same species but has a different genes. An anaolgy would be that you and your friends are all of the same species but you have different genotypes. meaning that you have different hair color, eye color etc.
Wet Lab Part II
While the tanks were being prepped, we had a unique and amazing opportunity to see the microscopic side of coral. Valeria, a coral scientist at CEI was kind enough to show us the coral larvae that she is proud to share that they were able to outplant 1,000 coral recruits!
These special googles allow us to see the coral larvae.
Can you find the baby corals?
Next we traveled tp the Aquaculture center on campus. The 9th grade went on a tour of the facility and learned how vital the system is for their sustainable culture at the island school.
Notes Parker and Ava
are the animals that produce wastes that supply nutrients to the lettuce.
The morning was spent working with CEI's Aquaculture team. The students literally got their hands dirty, rotating the beds of lettuce and cutting the fresh lettuce for the saladbar at lunch.
Next up was the farm where we delivered the scraps of lettuce left from the cuttings for lunch. There is very little waste at the island school. The chicken's were as excited to see us as we were to see them!
We began the late morning (8am) with a lecture on Coral restoration projects that are being conducted by CEI researchers in the feild. Lily Haines, coral researcher, explained the details of their research from fragging to outplanting, and spawning to larvae attachment. Following the presentation the studnets were ready to see what the research actually looks like in the feild.
Notes Lily and Daniella
Researcher Lily mentioned that when they travel to the reef to gather fragments that they generally look for goral species that are 20 feet apart to have a higher chance of differenty genotypes.
One way to identify happy, and healthy corals is to look at how fuzzy they appear. We were pleased to hear this because many of the corals in our tanks exhibit that description. This fuzzy appearance means that their polyps are open and they are feeding.
Can you tell which is the "happiest"?
Following breakfast, we traveled out into the deeper waters where the team of scuba divers would begin their feild study. Their goal was to take samples of various genets of corals for furthur analysis back in their wet lab. Our students had the amazing opportunity to snorkle above the reefs, and observe the researchers at work. We also worked to gather the samples obtained for quick return to the lab.
For a glimpse of the reefchek out the video below
The quote challenge April 9
Each day the kids are challenged to find quotes on the island that they feel speak to them. Here is what we found today!
dont be afraid to give up the good from the great - prefontaine
Be the Change.