Cedar Key News - UF SKML STEM CAMP ENDS

SUMMER SEAHORSE STEM CAMP

FINISHES

July 17, 2016

The Seahorse Key Marine Ecology STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) Camp for the summer of 2016 finished its week-long residential learning program this past Friday, July 15, 2016….and what a camp it was!

jul 17 ArtistSeahorseKeyLighthouse This camp would make one wish he were in high school again. Every activity is designed to instill substantive science lesson content and is supplemented by outdoor experiences to reinforce those concepts. Add to that, learning colleagues from around the United States. Add to that, pristine waters, clear skies, and expert teachers! Don’t know how a camp could be better!

The brainchild of Maria Sgambati, currently Assistant Director / Education and Outreach Programs at the University of Florida Seahorse Key Marine Lab, the STEM summer camp is in its second year. Sgambati’s goal is to use the “Lab’s resources and scientific expertise to enrich educational opportunities and understanding of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields.”

Wasting no time, the both teachers and students departed for Seahorse Key on Sunday evening, July 10, aboard the Discovery, captained by Kenny McCain at 6 pm. The group then settled in, ate dinner, were welcomed, got to know one another a bit, and learned the ground rules, a la Maria Sgambati. By lights out at 10:30 pm, their readiness for the morrow’s lessons was assured.

ALL-STAR CAST OF TEACHERS

Cedar Key School Science Instructor Raymond Powers, Yankeetown Science Instructor Pat Bartello, and the 4H Science Program’s Karen Blyer were teachers in residence. Annie Kushner, a past partner from the Bronx Advanced Math and Science School further enriched the group from New York, bringing with her three students.

BROAD RANGE OF STUDENTS

Three students from New York, local Cedar Key students, one living on the island, and two students from Ohio made up the group.

DAYS FULL

Day One was full. Lessons in scientific methodology and marine ecosystems including oysters and seagrasses, were intertwined with trawling and setting up touch tanks. Before day’s end, students had decided upon, or nearly decided upon, their research projects.

Day Two involved lessons on tides and plankton and a walk about the Refuge and tour of Snake Key with Ranger Vic Doig.

Day Three included lessons in geology, sediment sampling, and bioluminescence and an art project presented by Patti Jett.

Day Four included lessons on water quality, water monitoring, how early native people lived in the Cedar Key, and astronomy. Students continued work on their research projects.

Day Five was perhaps the busiest day of all. Students presented their research projects to teachers, parents, relatives, and friends at Seahorse Key’s Marine Lab. In the afternoon, students came to Cedar Key Art Center for the creation of their collage overseen by Patty Jett and Robin Gilles. UF IFAS Shellfish Expert Leslie Sturmer introduced students to Cedar Key’s aquaculture industry.

One hopes, as surely must this community,

that Sgambati’s vision for the use of the Seahorse Key Marine Lab will endure.

*****