BIBLICALLY-BASED EVENT
QUICK LOOK
Meets once per month on Tuesday afternoons from 9:30 - 11:30 AM at Mizell-Johnson State Park in Dania Beach from September 2025 to May 2026.
This session will be taught by Cara Abbott.
Topics discussed during the school year will include bony fish, corals, crustaceans, dolphins, gastropods & bivalves, rays, sharks, and sponges.
Includes supplemental curriculum workbook that can be reviewed at home. Podcasts are also available for auditory learners.
Includes supplemental curriculum workbook that can be reviewed at home. Podcasts are also available for auditory learners.
Target age is 5 to 12 years
Maximum class size is 12 students
This class will be taught focusing exclusively on biological information.
Parents must accompany and supervise their children during class as a safety precaution.
All children attending the class must be registered students. Siblings of any age, including infants, littles or older siblings, may not accompany registered students.
Cost: $550 per student
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
Saltwater Studies is excited to offer this full-year comprehensive marine science program for elementary school students that covers marine life commonly seen in Florida’s marine waters. This class series is designed as a two-year program so that topics are unique during that time frame. Students will meet for class once per month at the beach and learn about a different marine animal. Each year includes lessons on four vertebrate and four invertebrate marine animals. For the final class of the school year, students will enjoy a snorkeling tour in shallow nearshore waters where students can spot marine life discussed during the school year.
For each two-hour class, students will be provided with an overview of the monthly topic followed by a learning activity and beach adventure. During the first hour, a marine biologist will give a overview of the monthly topic supplemented by visual aids, opportunities for students to ask questions and view museum-quality visual aids and specimens. During the second hour, students will enjoy a hands-on learning activity such as a quiz game or experiment followed by a beach or water activity, depending on weather conditions. To supplement students’ in-class learning, each student will be provided with a supplemental curriculum workbook that includes a detailed lesson for each topic, allowing parents to review information at home outside of class. Each workbook lesson includes a graphic overview about the applicable topic, vocabulary, review questions and ideas for various learning activities. Podcasts for each lesson are also available so auditory learners can listen to the lesson being read while following along in their workbooks.
SCHEDULE
Tuesday, September 16, 2025 | 9:30 – 11:30 AM
Crustaceans - Discussion will focus on different species of crustaceans including crabs, shrimp and lobsters incorporating various visual aids and specimens. Learning activity is a quiz game where students will review information learned during the discussion. Beach activity includes a wading tour where students will use nets to catch various species of crabs.
Tuesday, October 14, 2025 | 9:30 – 11:30 AM
Gastropods & Bivalves - Discussion on different types of gastropods and bivalves including snails, clams, mussels, oysters and scallops incorporating visual aids and a variety of specimens. Learning activity includes a laboratory where students will use a field guide to identify different species of South Florida seashells or a sea shell memory game. Beach activity includes searching for seashells along the wrack line.
Tuesday, November 11, 2025 | 9:30 – 11:30 AM
Dolphins - Discussion will provide an overview of toothed whales focusing on oceanic dolphins and incorporate various visual aids. Learning activity includes a worksheet that reviews dolphin anatomy and/or a game on dolphin behaviors, depending on time available. Beach activity includes a scavenger hunt where students use a field guide to identify marine life.
Tuesday, December 9, 2025 | 9:30 – 11:30 AM
Sharks - Discussion on sharks, myths and conservation efforts incorporating visual aids and specimens. Learning activity includes a laboratory where students learn to identify species of sharks based on tooth shape. Beach activity includes a beach combing where students will use sifters to search for marine life in the sand.
Tuesday, January 13, 2026 | 9:30 – 11:30 AM
Corals - Discussion on types of corals focusing on the differences between hard and soft corals incorporating visual aids and specimens. Learning activities include reviewing specimens with microscopes and a game called “Hard Versus Soft” where students will review specimens and differentiate between hard and soft coral species. Beach activity includes walking along the beach and searching for corals along the wrack line.
Tuesday, February 3, 2026 | 9:30 – 11:30 AM
Rays - Discussion on different species of rays, focusing on the different types such as manta rays, stingrays, etc. incorporating visual aids and specimens. Learning activity includes viewing stingray spines under a microscope and drawing them or a review game. Beach activity includes visiting various areas of the park where rays have been previously spotted.
Tuesday, March 3, 2026 | 9:30 – 11:30 AM
Bony Fishes - Discussion on different types of bony fishes, focusing on their anatomy incorporating visual aids. Learning activity includes a worksheet that reviews the anatomy of bony fishes. For our beach activity students will be led on a wading tour where they will use nets to capture various types of bony fishes.
Tuesday, April 14, 2026 | 9:30 – 11:30 AM
Sponges - Discussion on types of sponges incorporating visual aids and various specimens. Learning activities include reviewing various specimens with microscopes and a game called “Is that a Sponge?” where students will review specimens and differentiate between corals and sponges. Beach activity includes walking along the beach and searching for sponges along the wrack line.
Tuesday, May 19, 2026 | 9:30 – 11:30 AM
Let’s Go Snorkeling! - Students will be provided with an overview of snorkeling equipment and safety before being led on a tour of the shallow waters near the park.
Cancellation Policy
Class Series or Courses. 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. (The refund will be for the full amount paid less the service fee charged by PayPal or Stripe for the transaction as these fees are non-refundable.) A 50% refund will be provided for cancellations made within one week prior to the first class and for students who drop out within 14 days of the first class. No refunds will be provided for students who drop out after 14 days from the first class. For class series or courses that are scheduled for less than 14 class days, a 50% refund will be provided for cancellations made from one week prior to the first class until the first class. No refunds will be provided for students who drop out after the first class. Once the class series or course begins, make up classes or credits are not offered for students who miss classes for any reason. In the event that unforeseen circumstances such as inclement weather, illness, park closure or water use restrictions etc. require Saltwater Studies to cancel a class, the class will be rescheduled, if possible. If you are not able to attend the rescheduled class, you will be issued a credit that can be applied to a future Saltwater Studies event. In order to be eligible to receive this credit you must notify Saltwater Studies of your inability to attend the rescheduled event at least one week prior to the rescheduled class date.
View the full policy here.