Register before June 1 and receive $100 off!
BIBLICALLY-BASED EVENT
Total Cost: $1050 per student | A 50% deposit is required to reserve a space in the field course. The balance of the course fee will be due by September 2, 2024. Registered students will be invoiced directly for the balance due.
Dates: Mondays, September 2024 - May 2025
Time: 10 AM - 2:30 PM
Location: Varies
Target Age Group: High School
Maximum Size: 12 students
The Field Course fee includes:
Instruction by a professional marine biologist
Materials and supplies
Dissection specimens and supplies
Student curriculum (electronic format)
Entry fees for all parks, aquariums, and educational centers
Peanut Island shuttle fee
The Field Course fee does not include the fee for optional events including shelling tour with Treasure Seeker Shell Tours and shark tagging with Nova Southeastern University.
This Field Course will provide a biblically-based, hands-on overview of various marine species present in South Florida. The intent of this course is to provide detailed information about local marine life, experiences like those one would have in a marine biology career, and to encourage students to think critically about how the Bible pertains to science.
The Field Course will meet eight (8) times, once per month, during the 2024-2025 school year. Students will also be able to participate in two optional field excursions including a shark tagging expedition and a wild dolphin viewing and shelling tour. Students will have a monthly homework assignment to complete prior to each field day that will include a devotional, vocabulary, topical reading, graphics, videos, and review questions.
For the biblical component this course will address such questions as: Can we be confident that God created the world? Do religion and science contradict each other? Can we take the biblical account of Creation literally? What is the purpose of Creation? How can Creation grow my relationship with Jesus Christ? How do I discern what is true and what is false when reading secular science material? Students will be provided with reading material addressing each of these topics which will then be discussed in class. All information will be presented based on a literal interpretation of Scripture.
Homework assignments will be available via the Saltwater Studies website. Each field day will include both a lecture focused on discussing the homework material as well as hands-on activities pertaining to the subject matter.
Daily Schedule:
10:00 AM – 12:00 PM Lecture & Lesson
12:00 PM – 12:30 PM Lunch
12:30 PM – 2:30 PM Hands-On Activities
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
SCHEDULE
1 | Crustaceans
Monday, Sept. 30, 2024; 10:00 AM - 2:30 PM
@Mizell-Johnson State Park, Dania Beach
This event includes a scientific study of marine life in Whiskey Creek as permitted by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP). Data collected during the assessment activities will be compiled and submitted to the FDEP as a requirement of Saltwater Studies’ permit.
2 | Dolphins
Monday, Oct. 21, 2024; 10:00 AM - 2:30 PM
@Peanut Island Park, Riviera Beach
This event includes a snorkel in the shallow waters of Peanut Island where we will view a variety of local marine life.*
3 | Corals
Monday, Nov. 18, 2024; 10:00 AM - 2:30 PM
@Boynton Beach Inlet Park, Boynton Beach
This event includes learning how to conduct a qualitative and quantitative assessment of marine life, techniques commonly employed by marine biologists in studying coral reef environments. Students will be provided with transect lines, quadrats and field guides to use in completing their assessment.
4 | Bony Fish
Monday, Dec. 16, 2024; 10:00 AM - 2:30 PM
@Boynton Beach Inlet Park, Boynton Beach
This event includes a dissection where students will dissect and compare the anatomy of a dogfish shark, bony fish, and sea star (based on availability of specimens).
5 | Sharks
Monday, Jan. 13, 2025; 10:00 AM - 2:30 PM
@ Frost Museum, Miami
This event includes a tour of the Frost Museum to view their shark aquarium. Students will complete various behavior observation exercises focusing on anatomy and behavior that are commonly used by marine biologists.
6 | Echinoderms
Monday, Feb. 10, 2025; 10:00 AM - 2:30 PM
@Dubois Park, Jupiter
This event includes a wading tour in the shallow waters of the mangrove area within Dubois Park, an area where sea stars and sea urchins are frequently spotted. Students will participate in a biological survey where they will record the species and location of marine life spotted.
7 | Gastropods & Bivalves
Monday, Mar. 10, 2025; 10:00 AM - 2:30 PM
@Coral Cove Park, Tequesta
This event includes a beach walk at low tide to look for various species of seashells. Students will then use field guides to identify local South Florida gastropod and bivalve species.
8 | Cephalopods
Monday, Apr. 21, 2025; 11:00 AM - 3:30 PM (Time adjusted to reflect tide schedule.)
@Phil Foster Park, Riviera Beach
This event includes a snorkel in a Marine Preserve at Phil Foster Park, Riviera Beach.* Cephalopods commonly spotted in the area include both the longarm octopus and Caribbean reef squid.
*Snorkeling activities are based on tide and weather conditions. Conditions will be evaluated the week of the proposed activity to confirm that the class may proceed as planned. All students will be required to wear a snorkel vest provided by Saltwater Studies during snorkeling events.
OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES
Shark Tagging with NSU
Nova Southeastern University, Oceanographic Center, Dania Beach
Students will have the opportunity to participate in a full-day shark tagging expedition in partnership with Nova Southeastern University and the Guy Harvey Research Institute. This excursion is truly a "hands-on" experience. Students will have the opportunity to participate in activities such as prepping the rigging, setting the lines, reeling in the sharks, and even placing the tag onto the shark. Guy Harvey Research members will teach you how to do each task, and you can choose which tasks you would prefer. You will have opportunities to see, touch, and work with the sharks up close. This excursion is limited to 30 people.
Estimated Date: April 2025
Cost: To be determined. Registered students and their families will be provided with cost information in January 2025.
Wild Dolphin Viewing & Shelling in the Ten Thousand Islands National Wildlife Refuge
Treasure Seekers Shell Tours, Goodland, Marco Island
Students will enjoy a 4-hour boat ride and shelling tour with Treasure Seekers Shell Tours. This area is known for its pod of resident dolphins. Students will complete an assessment of dolphin behavior during the boat ride and then search for seashells along the coastlines of islands in the Ten Thousand Islands National Wildlife Refuge.
Estimated Date: May 2025
Cost: To be determined. Registered students and their families will be provided with cost information in January 2025.
DETAILS
Materials:
Students will need their own snorkeling equipment, shelling bag, notebook and writing utensil as well as drinks, snacks and lunch.
Liability Waiver:
Each student must have a liability waiver completed by his or her parent or guardian to participate in the Field Course.
Instruction:
All instruction and activities will be led by Christa Jewett who has both a B.S. and M.S. in marine biology as well as over 20 years of experience in the marine science field and 18 years of experience in education. Saltwater Studies’ biblically-based events include a discussion on both biological information as well as how we can see the character of God in Creation.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Do I need to stay with my student?
No. Saltwater Studies’ middle and high school field courses are drop-off programs. You are welcome to stay for the field course if you would like but it is not required.
Can either I or siblings attend with my registered student?
Only registered students may attend the Field Course. A parent may attend the Field Course along with his or her registered student. If a parent elects to participate in the day’s hands-on activities (snorkeling, wading tour, aquarium tour etc.), he or she must pay any associated entrance fees charged by the location. A parent with unregistered children is welcome to enjoy the location’s amenities while registered students are in class. However, unregistered siblings may not participate in class ativities.
What if I need to cancel? Will I receive a refund?
If unexpected circumstances require you to cancel your registration, a refund will be provided for cancellations made until one week prior to the first class (less non-refundable merchant service fees). A 50% refund will be provided for cancellations made within one week prior to the first class. No refunds will be provided for students who drop out after the first class.
Will my student receive a grade for the Field Course?
Saltwater Studies will be discussing homework assignments with the students during class time but will not be grading them. Parents are welcome to assign their student a grade based on their student’s completion of the homework assignments.