BIBLICALLY-BASED EVENT

QUICK LOOK

Please note that this class is intended to provide students gifted in science with an in-depth overview of marine ecosystems and global ocean dynamics. We will be discussing technical concepts that incorporate the scientific method, research procedures and touch on physics, organic chemistry and physical oceanography. A monthly homework assignment is also included.

• Meets once per month on Thursday mornings from 9:30 to 11:30 AM at Boynton Beach Inlet Park in Boynton Beach from September 2026 to May 2027.

• Target age is 8 to 12 years

• This session will be taught by Christa Jewett.

• Maximum class size is 12 students

• Each class includes a discussion on the monthly topic followed by various field and research activities

• There will be a monthly reading assignment from the Florida’s Living Beaches field guide by Blair & Dawn Witherington that must be completed prior to each class. Students will be provided with a copy of the field guide at the first class.

• Students will also be provided with a field journal that they will use during the class’s field activities. Students must bring both the Florida’s Living Beaches field guide and their field journal with them to each class.

• This is a biblically-based class that will include both Scriptural and biological information.

• Parents must accompany and supervise their children during class as a safety precaution. Parent involvement will also be needed to assist students with journal activities.

• 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: $650 per student. This cost includes instruction, sampling equipment, class materials, a copy of the Florida’s Living Beaches field guide and a field journal for each student.

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

Saltwater Studies is excited to offer this research-based marine science program for elementary school students that reviews ecological factors that influence life in a sandy beach ecosystem. Students will meet for class once per month at the beach to learn about the sandy beach ecosystem. For each class, students will be provided with an overview of the monthly topic followed by various learning, field and research activities.

SCHEDULE

This is a tentative schedule. Topics and activities may change based on current weather and wave conditions on the day of the class.

Thursday, September 17, 2026 | 9:30 – 11:30 AM
Introduction to Sandy Beaches – Students will be provided with an overview of the sandy beach environment that incorporates a review of the scientific method. The day’s activity will include recording observations about the sandy beach ecosystem in the field journals.

Thursday, October 8, 2026 | 9:30 – 11:30 AM
Beach Erosion – Students will learn about beach erosion and its impact on the sandy beach environment. The day’s activity will include performing a surveying activity that will allow the students to create a profile of the sandy beach.

Thursday, November 12, 2026 | 9:30 – 11:30 AM
Waves – Students will learn about different types of waves. The day’s activity will include learning how to identify three different wave shapes, determine wave period and direction and measure wave height.

Thursday, December 17, 2026 | 9:30 – 11:30 AM
Currents – Students will learn about global ocean currents including surface and deep ocean circulation patterns as well as local ocean currents such as tidal and rip currents. The day’s activity will include a learning activity on liquid densities and how to estimate current speed.

Thursday, January 14, 2027 | 9:30 – 11:30 AM
Tides – Students will learn about ocean tides. The day’s activity will include performing a tide determination and recording observations about ecological zones created by tide elevations.

Thursday, February 11, 2027 | 9:30 – 11:30 AM
Marine Life – Students will learn about the marine life commonly seen in a sandy beach environment. The day’s activity will include learning how to complete a qualitative biological assessment that answers the question: What types of animals live in this environment?

Thursday, March 11, 2027 | 9:30 – 11:30 AM
Marine Life – Students will learn about marine life commonly seen in a sandy beach environment. The day’s activity will include learning how to complete a quantitative biological assessment that answers the question: How many animals inhabit this environment?

Thursday, April 22, 2027 | 9:30 – 11:30 AM
Environmental Health – Students will learn about water quality as an indicator of environmental health. The day’s activity will include water quality sampling and analyzing seawater for different parameters such as temperature, turbidity, pH and dissolved oxygen.

Thursday, May 20, 2027 | 9:30 – 11:30 AM
Beach Erosion – Students will perform a second surveying activity and compare their results with those recorded as a part of the first surveying activity. They will then determine if the beach is gaining or losing sand and estimate the amount of sand lost or gained over the past several months.

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.