Planning a Florida Keys Science Trip: What Should I Expect?

I've had the amazing honor and privilege of leading several Appleseed Expeditions school science trips down to the Florida Keys. Every single time, I got way more than I bargained for... in the best way possible!  Even if you set your expectations high for this trip, I believe you will still be blown away.  Not only is there so much to learn, see, and do; but the bond cultivated out of a community doing those things together is priceless.  I've seen many go on this trip for a little break, and go home feeling inspired and ready to get even more out of life. 

As a parent or teacher, it's important to be prepared in many ways.  "Tending of the sheep" is such a crucial role you play as you place them in the loving hands of the AE staff.  It's equally as important to always find ways to support and encourage each other, and the students along the way.  So as the young minds soak up all of the knowledge, and their hands experience it first-hand... their hearts can't help but become full.  Expect everyone to come back with a new energy and love for learning.

 

Some of the things you will experience on this trip are:  

1. Discovering the fragile ecosystems and the marine biodiversity of the Florida barrier reef

The students will get an up-close and personal look as we snorkel through the reef, and kayak through the mangroves.  Every time I go I am shocked by the damage that's been done thus far, but encouraged by the sense of hope you'll see in each living thing that calls this place home.  You might expect to see stingrays, small nurse sharks, and a variety of other shallow bay inhabitants on this adventure. We will collect a variety invertebrates, fish, crabs, sponges, and calcareous algae. Then we'll discuss ecological niches, and how each organism aids in the balance of this fragile ecosystem.

 

 

2. Learning about how the reef provides habitat to an abundance of tropical marine organisms

The students will  conduct a hands-on study of nocturnal marine life with a night wade in the coastal bay area of Islamorada.  This activity is a blast!  Everyone loves taking their little flash lights and discovering all sorts of creatures in the dark.  It especially gets fun when the boys start competing to find the weirdest looking organism.

 3. Assisting with mentoring programs to communities in need

The group will be able to spend some time with migrant children through game activities at the RCMA center.  This is one of my favorite things we do because we get to see how our love and service to them does make a difference in their lives.  Sometimes all they need to succeed is for someone to give them a sense of value and worth.

4. Exploring natural habitats

The group will also travel to the back country bay lagoon where they will study mangroves, collect sponges for dissection, and dissect squid and sharks.  Here we will analyze the coral inhabitant nursery system, and the morphology of chondrichthyes in order to understand how predator/ prey relationships impact the reef ecosystem.

5. Actively discovering history

The History of the Florida Keys is best discovered as we kayak to and explore Indian Key.   The doctor who inhabited this island was massacred by Seminole Indians in the late 1800’s.  Additionally, we will study the marine fossils and intertidal habitats on this island.

We hope you enjoy your trip fully, and that every single person drives away from Florida inspired to teach others what you've learned here. Please feel free to contact Appleseed Expeditions for more information, or go to our educational science trip page at Appleseed Science Trips.

Planning Your Own Florida School Science Trip

For many of science teachers it's more feasible to plan their own science trips.  The reasons can vary from cost to specific curriculum that they want to implement.  Either way, as a scientist and the CEO of Appleseed Expeditions, I would like to lend my assistance in the development of a plan for your own science trip to several Florida destinations.

Here are a few detailed suggestions on scheduling your science trip.

1. Plan an age specific tour.

If your students are in grades 1st to 3rd, I would suggest that you look into day trips like the Everglades, Kennedy Space center, or Sea World.  If you have older students in the range from 4th to 8th grade, you might plan on scheduling an overnight trip to the Florida Keys, Crystal River manatee tours, or a dolphin research program in the Emerald Coast.  If you have older students of high school or college, you could consider offering a scuba marine science course in the Florida Keys or wreck diving in the Gulf Coast.

Suggested trips per grade level

 Grades 1st to 3rd - Everglades (Shark Valley), Sea World, Kennedy Space Center, or Saint Augustine (St. Augustine Pirate & Treasure Museum).

 

Grades 4th through 8th - Florida Keys Science Adventure, Manatees in Crystal River or Jekyll Island.

High School and College - For this age group, we might suggest that you take them on a Florida Keys/ Dry Tortugas or Emerald Costa Scuba program. Another option is an Epcot introduction scuba adventure.

2. Do research prices.

Research hotel prices for the specific area that you are looking into.  Be sure to check seasonal rates for these hotels to determine how much they are charging when you are planning your trip. Plan and reserve your activities, and determine what activities you want your group to partake in.  For instance, when my coordinator plans a trip for a middle school science trip to the Keys, they reserve a kayak tour, a snorkeling trip to the reef, a visit to Hemmingway's house, and a volunteer activity at the turtle rescue center.

3. Reserve your own transportation.

If your group is small (less than 10 people), you might be able get some parents to volunteer their vehicles to help you with this transportation of your students.  If you have a large group of 25+ you should reserve a coach bus. Remember that coach buses usually charge about $1300 a day plus, rooming accommodations for the driver.  If your group is less that 25 and more that 10 people, you might be able to rent 15 passenger vans.  Please note: Many schools do not allow students to be transported in 15 passenger vans for insurance reasons.  If this is the case, you may be able to rent several 10 passenger vans.  Don't forget to make room for luggage.

4. Map out a schedule and time frame for your field trip.

It's important to try to reduce as much road time as possible. If you have a long road trip, try to incorporate stops along the way that have an educational emphasis.

5. Unveil the plan.

Once you have determined a destination and estimated cost for your school science trip, you should present your idea to your students.  If your students want to partake on this science adventure, you should then schedule a parent meeting.  During this parent meeting, have a rough schedule of events and estimated cost for each student.

6. Get deposits for your trip.

The worst mistake an educator can make is to get verbal commitment from their students, start planning the trip, and make reservations with no financial commitment from their students.  Many young people will commit to field trip and two months, later decide that they want to put their money into something different.  If a teacher has used his or her own finances to make reservations without financial commitment from their travelers, they may get stuck with a financial loss when a student cancels.  My best advise is to set a date for deposits (my suggestion is a minimum of 20% down).

7. Set up a payment structure.

After receiving deposits, split the remaining amount into four to ten payments throughout the year.

You might also contact us at info@appleseedexpeditions.com, or go to www.appleseedexpeditions.com for more information on trips like these.