Ten teachers from seven Caribbean island nations concluded classes at MarineLab’s teacher workshop week program on July 24. MarineLab’s Caribbean Teacher Initiative provides educators with opportunities to learn about marine ecology through field survey activities in mangrove, coral reef and seagrass environments.
Elementary, middle, high school and college educators were enrolled in courses on either advanced marine ecology and research techniques or the coastal marine ecology of the Keys.
The teachers are encouraged to develop and complete action projects within two months of returning home, using knowledge and experience gained through the week’s programming. Projects proposed by teachers included introducing swimming lessons and marine education to the community of Grand Bahama, raising awareness for marine pollution in Trinidad and introducing local educators in St. Maarten to MarineLab’s activities and resources.
With a busy schedule, teachers participated in field work, hands-on labs with work in water quality monitoring, fish and plankton identification, discussions on coral reef ecology, and data analysis. Mote Marine Laboratory, an organization focused on research and conservation work, met with both groups to discuss coral restoration.
“They were so excited to get in the water surrounding their own islands,” said Sarah Egner, senior vice president of the Marine Resources Development Foundation and director of the MarineLab Education program. “A few were telling me how they appreciate the water so much more, being able to actually see the life living in it, and want to be able to give their students that experience so they can develop the same appreciation.”
“This workshop was just awesome,” said one participating educator. “I came from never snorkeling before to snorkeling (for) two days, and being so inspired that I bought a set of gear which I am going to use to pursue my new passion of snorkeling in my island, Dominica.” A majority of teachers had never snorkeled before.
The program has grown since its inception in 2022, with several dozen teachers submitting applications this year, and its 10 participants receiving fully-paid scholarships. Teacher education has been a primary goal of MarineLab since its founding.
“We want the teachers to go home energized to get back in the classroom, help them make sure their science teaching is conservation focused, provide a network of teachers they can connect with, and give them knowledge and resources they can use with their own students,” Egner said.
Registration for MarineLab’s fall teacher workshop for Florida teachers teaching fifth through 12th grade is open. More information is at marinelab.org/teacher-workshops-1.
