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.