Bahamas Field Courses

Science Under Sail-Pier Wisconsin

Pier Wisconsin Group (2005)

Students aboard the S/V Denis Sullivan had the opportunity to stop at Lee Stocking Island in January and February of 2005. Pier Wisconsin's Science Under Sail program is an annual visitor to the island during the winter months, bringing inquisitive students and plenty of bratwursts to go around!

Science Under Sail

"It was amazing to see everything right in front of us as opposed to reading about it in a classroom. It gave me a different perspective on what scientific field work is like in this particular field of study." Brad Ferrada-U32 student

Palm Beach County Schools

Several local Palm Beach County Schools have been approached about the opportunity to use the facilities at Lee Stocking Island for field courses in marine science. The goal is to encourage educators to broaden their curriculum to include a hands-on learning experience in research for their students. Forest Hill High School from West Palm Beach, Florida and the Dillon Country Day School from Wellington, Florida returned to Lee Stocking Island in April 2004 for additional field experience.

U32 High School
Montpelier, Vermont (June 2004)

Students snorkeled daily to collect fish survey data that was submitted to REEF (Reef Environmental Education Foundation-www.reef.org). We also visited and studied many tropical marine ecosystems such as coral reefs, mangroves, rocky shores, & seagrass/sand. Plankton collections were conducted at night and the PIMS laboratory and equipment were used to analyze the samples. Students were required to keep a scientific journal recording their observations and notes about the environment and organisms they were studying.

Forest Hill Community High School
Lake Worth, Florida

During their field study program at the Research Facilities on Lee Stocking Island, The Bahamas, students from Forest Hill Community High School's Academy of Science and Technology installed a Bahamas government issued sign on White Bay Cay advising visitors to refrain from disturbing, feeding, or handling the federally protected, indigenous species of iguanas, that live there. This is a project of the Bahamas National Trust.

Turtle River Montessori
Jupiter, Florida (May 2004)

A group from Turtle River Montessori in Jupiter, FL traveled to Lee Stocking Island at the beginning of May 2004. During the 4-day trip, the group leaders and parents conducted field courses for several upper elementary students. The group had focused programs on invertebrate zoology, flora and fauna of Lee Stocking Island, marine debris and pollution, and reverse osmosis. Students in this photograph are learning about beach ecology.

Dillon Country Day School
Wellington, Florida (April 2004)

We spent 3 days at Lee Stocking Island in order to expose high school students to various marine and terrestrial habitats. They studied meteorology, fish identification, coral id, ecology of coral reefs, mangrove habitats, and island flora. We spent half of our days on the boats and half on the island. We went to the habitats in the LSI vicinity. All of the students had profound learning experiences. The students saw flora and fauna that are not found anywhere near their homes.

"This trip has changed quite a few of my important environmental perspectives. I just hope my Marine Biology class next year can hold its own, because I just don't think any other experience in the world could be as educational, yet relaxed, amazing, and fun at the same time. The students chosen for this trip are by far the most privileged people in our school. I'm thankful for every minute of it, and I'll take nothing for granted."

Rebecca Koontz, Forest Hill High School-2003