Two separate powerpoint discussions. The Keys Habitats discussion is at the beginning of the program, outlining the main habitats that make up the Keys, where these habitats are located and how the abiotic components of each habitat influce the biotic components. The Summary powerpoint will be presented at the end of the trip to review any data collected during the stay (water quality and/or Cassiopeia Culturing Lab), discuss the ecology of habitats visited and why diversity varied at these locations. Required field trips include Seagrass, Mangrove, and Coral Reef Ecology, while supplementary trips are Rodriguez Key zonation, Hardbottom Shoal Ecology, Keys Survey and Backcountry. Required Labs are Invertebrate Diversity and Astronomy/Plankton tow, while optional labs may be any of the ones listed on this page.

This activity starts with a short powerpoint discussion on sea turtle species, life history, threats to their individual and group survival, and how these threats are currently being addressed. Students work in groups acting as members of the Cooperative Marine Turtle Tagging Program. Using lifelike scale models of injured or diseased turtles, they complete actual data forms used by CMTTP. The activity is wrapped up with a short video on actual turtle salvage and treatments. This activity may be coupled with a trip to the Turtle Hospital in Marathon, FL. (Photo from the Turtle Hospital).

In this lab, the instructor begins by reviewing marine invertebrate phyla and associated common characteristics and defense mechanisms. Types of sponge spicules and functions of spicules are explained. Students will work in pairs to isolate spicules from various species of local sponges that have been dried. Spicule shapes are identified for each sponge species.

During this lab, students will be taught about the importance of abiotic conditions such as water quality parameters (salinity, temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen, ammonia, and clarity), the healthy levels for water quality parameters, and techniques for measuring water quality parameters. Students will then get the opportunity to use the instruments to test water quality of four different samples of water, representing four different bodies of water (North Sea, South Sea, Key Largo drinking water, MarineLab fish tank). The measurements from the water samples will then be compared and explained. Water quality testing is done in the field at field trip sites and the data is recorded. MarineLab recently received funding to purchase more sophisticated water quality testing equipment and has joined the GLOBE program. There is also a version of this lab that ties into the AP Biology and AP Environmental Science courses.

This activity is designed to provide students with a basic understanding of the adaptations, behavior, and current research on different species of sharks. This will encourage students to maintain a healthy respect for sharks and their environment. The activity is preceded by a 30 minute powerpoint presentation about shark biology. Groups of students then come up with a conclusion on shark data illustrated by a provided graph or chart, and answer corresponding research questions. Groups then present their shark and conclusions based on their graph as though they were presenting to a scientific symposium.

MarineLab has installed a new touch tank stocked with sturdy macro invertebrates for this lab. Students choose a sample invertebrate and identify the species using a dichotomous key. They then conduct a series of observations and behavioral experiments and are asked to make conclusions about their observations. The actual invertebrates used are determined by season and availability, and the activity may be limited to a single phylum of invertebrates.

This lab begins with an introduction to Cassiopeia spp (upside-down jellyfish) and its life cycle as well as methods and issues surrounding mariculture. Students work in groups to collect embryos from Cassiopeia and place them in vials. Students monitor vials throughout the program, looking for developing planula and polyps. All data from this lab will be discussed during the Summary.

The Everglades are unique, protected, and the home to an amazing diversity of birds, reptiles, mammals and plants. A discussion of Everglades hydrology, including the wet/dry cycles and a history of man's impact on the Everglades wetlands, precedes a ground based field trip to Everglades National Park's Royal Palm Visitors Center. The boardwalks and paths there provide ringside seats and first hand observation of alligators, anhingas, and other birds and animals of the Glades. This program is primarily done in the winter time, during the dry season, to avoid mosquitoes and heat. The concentration of water during the dry season means that the animals are concentrated as well.

Rodriguez Key is just offshore of Key Largo and features an interesting bottom community that is based on the coralline algae Goniolithon. Students snorkel the area and instructors collect large chunks of the Goniolithon. Back at the boat, students break up the algae to find and identify the invertebrates inside. The second stop on this field trip is usually to a patch reef community, populated with tropical fish and smaller corals, sea whips, and sea rods, or a small wreck with resident nurse sharks, rays, and balloonfish.

Hardbottom habitats are isolated patches of stony boulder corals and sea rods that are home to many juvenile animals. Students will be able to view a variety of animals, including fish that are in transitional and less recognizable color phases. This trip usually includes a second stop at a patch reef.

Nest Key is one of the few mangrove islands that people can actually walk on. Students can wade in the water or search the outskirts of the island. Instructors will bring a seine net and allow students to seine for benthic animals and small fish.