Some fifth-grade students at Eagle Mountain Elementary in Batesville recently enjoyed Sea Camp on Dauphin Island, Ala.
The group attended classes each day while working on STEM (science technology engineering math) activities and spent time learning how to measure waves and debris beaches; crawling in the marshes to discover new animals; and setting nets to study the many baby animals living among the beaches, grasses and marshes.
The classes seined for plankton — the largest food source in the oceans — and then went to the lab to observe under the microscopes. They also learned how to build robot submarines as well as study water density and squid dissections.
The students also boarded a fishing boat and set out nets in the water to see what kind of animals live in the Mobile Bay area. Feeding the dolphins and seagulls following the boats was also a highlight of the trip.
And students enjoyed a visit to Fort Gaines, one of the oldest forts in the United States, and learned how the soldiers lived.
Angel Ferrer tries on the deep sea diving helmet during a visit to Sea Camp in Alabama.
The classes netting for plankton along the docks.
Pictured from left: Victoria Nelms, Mai-Lan Ho, and Avery Fengel using a larger net to catch animals along the shallow beach next to the marsh.
The students watch the blacksmith at Fort Gaines make a spike. / All images submitted
