SUMMARY
- A unique opportunity for students to learn about the marine environment through a multi-week, experienced-based field study program
- Hands-on experience participating in fundamental & applied marine science research and conservation
- Learn sailing and seamanship, and perform SCUBA and snorkelling based field work
2010 College Course Description and Details DESCRIPTION
The setting for this program is the beautiful Caribbean archipelago known as the British Virgin Islands (BVIs). The BVIs are one of the Caribbean’s most unspoiled secrets, and are made up of a cluster of dozens of small volcanic islands separated by short sails across turquoise blue water. The only thing that can match the idyllic scenery topside is the top-notch scuba diving. Boasting a variety of habitats ranging from shipwrecks to coral gardens and marine sanctuaries, the BVIs are the ideal natural laboratory for exploration. The base from which the program is operated isn’t restricted to one of these island gems, but instead is a 45 foot catamaran that we will sail through this chain of islands. This live-aboard floating classroom, laboratory, and research platform will carry us through the diverse suite of tropical marine habitats, with a new environment and anchorage to explore each day.
The programs last for two weeks and are conducted separately for high school and college students. The marine science instruction provides an introduction to coral reef ecology, ichthyology, invertebrate zoology, animal behavior, physical oceanography, fisheries science, aquatic toxicology, and conservation biology. Lab and classroom instruction is combined with scuba-diving to familiarize students with tropical marine life, the interactions between these organisms, the environment in which they live, the theory and methods used in studying this ecosystem, and the major issues and questions this discipline is challenged to address. Lectures include presentation of relevant fundamental concepts with an additional emphasis on contemporary research and case studies. Lab activities will include open water scuba training, fish and invertebrate identification and taxonomy, anatomy and physiology labs employing gross dissections and microscopes, an introduction to the techniques and methods used in marine biology field studies, and other special topics. Students will become familiar with and observe the indigenous fish, sea turtles, and spectacular array of fascinating invertebrates in a diverse suite of tropical marine habitats including a variety of reefs (fringing, barrier, walls, coral gardens, pinnacles, boulder fields), shipwrecks, sea grass beds, and mangroves. Teams of students will then work to finalize the design and execution of a short field experiment using the scientific method to test a hypothesis they developed based on their own observations. The field experiment portion of the program may also be conducted as part of a larger research project being conducted by MANTA, a guest scientist, or by a graduate student working as a teaching/research assistant to the program while in pursuit of their thesis research.
The education provided about our marine environment is not limited to only academic pursuits. This experience also provides students with instruction on fundamental nautical concepts such as sailing, seamanship, marine architecture, and navigation. This complete approach creates an understanding and appreciation of the ocean from the perspective of a scientist and a mariner. The instruction in the nautical sciences begins with the safe and effective operation of our sailing vessel and smaller outboard boats. This includes an introduction into the anatomy of the boat and the terminology that is unique to this environment. Next of course, is how these parts are used together to harness the wind to power our vessel. This also includes learning the “rules of the road”, which are the regulations dictating how mariners interpret aids to navigation, ship to ship signals, lighting configurations, and how vessels know who has the right of way. Students will also learn how to read charts, use a compass, plot courses, triangulate your position, and use electronics such as global positioning systems and depth sounders. An introduction to the age old technique of celestial navigation will also be presented, with the opportunity to calculate a latitude and longitude using only the stars, a simple sextant, and an accurate time piece. |
