Christmas time means lots of things to different people, but to us it means it’s FISHMAS! And this year we celebrated in style at the Christmas in Cortez Festival put on by our friends at the Florida Maritime Museum! Set in the heart of historic Cortez the festival was full of Christmas cheer, local agencies, …
This week we returned to one of our favorite field sites — Emerson Point Preserve — with a new group of curious student scientists, a new location (The Point!!), and several awesome stations planned! After months of in the classroom labs and activities, we were so excited to explore a real estuary and get our feet wet! This place …
As an educator who’s passionate about bringing real-world science into the classroom, I was thrilled to attend the recent teacher preview event at the brand-new Mote Science Education Aquarium (aka Mote SEA). This impressive facility, built by the renowned marine research outfit Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium, opens a fresh chapter in marine science education for Florida—and I’m …
When you think of essential ecosystems, especially in Florida, what do you think of? Usual responses are beaches and coral reefs, the typical tourist pamphlet places. But there’s some ecosystems arguably more crucial to our economy, lifestyle, and overall environment. If you’ve heard from me before you can probably already guess where this is going… …
It’s back to school week here in South Florida and I have spent the last month redecorating, relearning, and revamping my classroom vibes and engagement skills to prepare for my new kiddos to come back this past week! So if you’re trying to plan out what you think your students need, what you need, and …
As I sit here in the Houston airport, waiting for my long delayed flight home to Florida from a week in Lafayette, Louisiana.. I can’t help but think of how amazing it has been to keep coming back to this conference. The friends, the experiences, the resources. It’s rare a conference both makes you feel …
Four years of running this lab at the Oceanography Camp for Girls and another three running it for the Navarre Beach Marine Science Station, this shark tagging lab just keeps getting better!
With summer in full swing, how often do you think about dunes? I can tell you right now you probably aren’t thanking them enough! These seemingly simple hills of sand play a crucial role in protecting summer’s most famous ecosystem: beaches! Here’s why you should stay off the dunes, and give them a bit of …
Getting girls interested in fish, sediment, plants, and all things slimy and dirty! One thing I adore about USF’s Oceanography camp for girls is that I get the opportunity to show a group of amazing young women some of the tasks scientists use in the field as research tactics. This year I co-lead my favorite …
Marine science isn’t just about data charts and dissections—it’s also about expression, innovation, and using what makes you you to make a difference. That’s exactly what happens every year at the end of my marine science class, my students were challenged to bring their individual talents into the world of ocean advocacy. Through an extra …