marine biology informational booklet 2010

8/14/2019 Marine Biology Informational Booklet 2010

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S J S D M a r i n e I n s t i t u t e h t t p : / / s t j o e h 2 o . n i n g . c o m I n s t r u c t o r : S e a n P . N a s

All kinds of immersionMarine Biology is a unique

program where immersion

in rich biological content

and experiences actually

coincide with real physical

immersion in the ocean.Our specific focus for the

course is the delicate and

threatened coral reef

ecosystem. Density of life

on the reef is amazing, and

studying it firsthand is an

unforgettable experience.

MARINEb i o l o g yIntroduction &Characterization

A course that literally immerses

you into the content.

Page 1-2

Requirements & Fees

Find out what you need to

participate, as well as all

associated fees.

Page 3-4

Enrollment Dates

Due to the unique nature of the

course, enrollment is also

unique. Record these dates.

Page 5

Schedule & Syllabus

Our program is planned out

well in advance. Check these

dates against your calendar...

Page 6-7

SJSD MARINE BIOLOGY PROGRAMINFORMATION:

The Course:The course is a unique one-semester experience-intensive study of the biology of our

oceans. Honors Marine Biology is part of our existing biology curriculum, but will take

several important steps further toward being an actual hands-on experience in the field of

biological science. The course will provide an introduction to the flora and fauna of tropical

ecosystems and the Caribbean, in particular. Major systems of study will include: coral reefs,

mangroves, sand flats, and subtropical forests. Experiences in species identification and science

research skills will be part of the focus within these systems. A highlight of the course is a

weeklong, in-depth study at Forfar Educational Field Station on Andros Island in The

Bahamas. There, we live on 45 to 50 ft. sailboats for the entire week we are on the island. As a

direct result of our on-site field-study, many valuable cultural experiences will also be gained.

The program is designed to allow students in many different activities to

also participate in Marine Biology. Another way the course will be

unique is the meeting schedule. Honors Marine Biology will

meet at night. A specific number of contact hours arerequired for a semester credit. Half of these hours will be

spent during the intense study week at Andros Island. The

other half will be met during night classes from 7:00 to

9:00pm. The schedule will require meeting an average of

two nights per month during the months of August

through February. Closer to the week of on-site study,

more preparation will be needed. (continued on page 2)
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A Typical Day On Andros Island

(8:00am-ish) breakfast

(9:00-12:00pm) snorkeling trip on

Andros barrier reef crest

(12:30-1:30pm) lunch in the field at

a nearby beach

(1:30-3:00pm) recording of data,

photo review, journaling and free

time to explore

(3:00-5:00pm) snorkeling trip at

Gibson Cay Blue Hole... an inland

blue hole

(5:00-6:00pm) more free

exploration

(6:00-7:00pm) dinner

(7:00pm) group discussion

Geology of Bahamian Blue Holes

MARINE BIOLOGY

The Course: (continued

from page 1)

During this time, we meet nearly every

Monday. During the month following the

on-site study, three

meetings will also be

needed for closure. In

this time, all data

collected at Andros

will be analyzed and

conclusions for

individual projects

will be made and presented. Culminating

presentations of all types will be

incorporated into a website that will be

accessible by anyone on the planet with an

Internet connection. The link to the site for

our program is: http://stjoeh2o.ning.com.

A Marine Biology program is rare in

midwestern colleges and even far less

common in high schools. This course will

create educational opportunities that are

rarely experienced in public education.Students will be provided with a firsthand

look at many career choices that are not

often studied in our part of

the country. Though the

stark reality is: the surface

of our planet is seventy-

five percent covered by the

ocean. (continued

on page 3)

Students

keep a

journal throughout the

coral reef field experience to

bring home and publish to the world

via our online course network.
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MARINE BIOLOGY

The Course:

(continued from page 2)

Of all careers in the natural sciences, a

large number of them are in marine

biology. During the study of these subjects

and the time on-site at Andros Island, you

will become aware of such possibilities and

the steps you would follow to take to take

advantage of them. This will certainly

help interested students with college and

technical school program and course

selection. You will also have the

opportunity to actually interact with

several of our former students who are

currently in graduate school and or

working in the field of marine biology!

RequirementsYou must be an incoming Junior or

Senior who has completed the freshman

Biology class with at least a grade of B.

It would be most valuable to have taken

Zoology, but this is not required.

An informational meeting will be

held to characterize the program on May

14th. This is an excellent meeting for

parents to attend. I will explain the

program in depth at this meeting.

Applications will be handed out at this

meeting as well as during the day in the

respective schools after this meeting.

Students must complete an

application within the following timeframe

(DUE: ON OR BEFORE WEDNESDAY,

MAY 20th, by 3:30pm in ROOM #307 at

BENTON HIGH SCHOOL).

Due to the fact that part of the course

takes place in a host country other thanours, exemplary behavior and social skills

are a must for applying students. These

issues are addressed within the teacher

recommendation section of the

application.

Selected students and at least one

parent or guardian mustattend an

informational meeting to characterize the

program. This meeting is held on May

28th at 7:00pm in BHS room #307 on the

top floor of the main building.

Along with you, a parent or guardian

must sign a letter stating intent to complete

all parts of the course including all

monetary responsibilities. Late withdrawal

from the course will require forfeiture of al

or part of the required fees.

Letters of recommendation from two

teachers in your school will also be

required at least one of which must be a

science teacher. This teacher-

recommendation form will be included in

the application. Be certain to put your best

foot forward on all parts of the application

as course enrollment will be competitive.

Due to space, enrollment is held to

eighteen students total from each of

Benton, Central and Lafayette high

schools. In the past this has created a very

unique and rewarding citywide exchange.

The values of this program

are numerous. Some of the

value added by this course is that it...

allows an area of high student

interest and engagement to be included

within the broader curriculum

fosters development of real science

skills, in a real-world setting

provides an opportunity for enriched coursework and experiences

requires the development and practice of application skills such as public speaking,

writing, teaching content to younger students, as well as publishing and interaction

within many forms of online participatory media

creates a sense of collaborative unity that ties enthusiastic students from each of

our three St. Joseph public schools

presents a realistic in-depth examination of several career

opportunities in the field of marine biology

allows you, the midwestern student, an opportunity to study in

one of the most ecologically delicate and rare systems of the

world: the coral reef
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MARINE BIOLOGY

Painting thousands of words...More than 350 images from the

Spring 2009 Andros Island field

study are online at Flickr. Visit

this link for an even more in-

depth visual of a typical SJSD

Marine Biology experience:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/

nashworld/sets/

72157616761811732/

Program feesThe SJSD Marine Biology program

has been in existence since 2000. Over

this time we have built a strong

relationship with our non-for-profit field

station in The Bahamas. There is no

doubt that this program would be far too

costly to feasibly

continue today if it were

not for the fact that our

expenses are kept low by

cooperating with an

educational field station

in this way. If this field

study were assembled

with corporate elements

it would easily be twice

as costly for all of us.

Program fees go

towards room and

board (all meals) for a full

week aboard a 45 to 50 foot sailboat, one

night hotel stay in Florida before departing

to the island, ground transportation, round

trip charter flight from Florida to AndrosIsland, and round trip commercial flight

from Kansas City to Ft. Lauderdale.

The amounts listed here are

approximate, but rarely ever change

throughout the course of the program.

$1275 covers field station fees (room &board, charter flights, hotel, etc.) $300 to

$500 in round trip commercial airfare

between Kansas City and Ft. Lauderdale.

The results in a total fee for

the program of between

$1575 and $1775 depending

on the price of the group

airfare fees to and from

Florida.

In the past, most of our

students have been too

involved with high school life

to participate in fundraisers,

therefore relying on some

combination of summer job

and parental help.

However,, there have been

instances of parents or students organizing

fundraising activities throughout the year

to help with field station fees. I am more

than open to helping facilitate and support

these efforts for creative funding!
http://stjoeh2o.ning.com/http://www.flickr.com/photos/nashworld/sets/72157616761811732/http://www.flickr.com/photos/nashworld/sets/72157616761811732/http://www.flickr.com/photos/nashworld/sets/72157616761811732/http://www.flickr.com/photos/nashworld/sets/72157616761811732/http://www.flickr.com/photos/nashworld/sets/72157616761811732/http://www.flickr.com/photos/nashworld/sets/72157616761811732/http://www.flickr.com/photos/nashworld/sets/72157616761811732/http://www.flickr.com/photos/nashworld/sets/72157616761811732/http://stjoeh2o.ning.com/http://www.flickr.com/photos/nashworld/sets/72157616761811732/http://www.flickr.com/photos/nashworld/sets/72157616761811732/http://www.flickr.com/photos/nashworld/sets/72157616761811732/http://www.flickr.com/photos/nashworld/sets/72157616761811732/http://www.flickr.com/photos/nashworld/sets/72157616761811732/http://www.flickr.com/photos/nashworld/sets/72157616761811732/http://www.flickr.com/photos/nashworld/sets/72157616761811732/http://stjoeh2o.ning.com/http://stjoeh2o.ning.com/


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MARINE BIOLOGY

IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER

INFORMATIONAL MEETING in room #307, 7:00pm, BENTON HS - Applications

will be distributed, or picked up in person from Mrs. Conard (CHS) or Ms. Trotter

(LHS) after this date

MAY 14th

APPLICATIONS DUE to Mr. Nash at BHS room #307 by 3:30pm on this date if

not earlierMAY 20th

STUDENTS ARE CONTACTED for acceptance into Marine Biology. An email

message will be sent notifying students of acceptance. Your biology teacher will

also have a list the following day.

MAY 26th

MANDATORY MEETING for all students & parents of SJSD MARINE INSTITUTE2010. Must be accompanied by one parent/guardian. A deposit of $200 is due

at this time. 7:00pm, BHS room #307

MAY 28th

SUMMER EXPLORATION BEGINS with students taking home MacBook laptops

for self-paced online study throughout the summerMAY 29th

FIRST MEETING of class, 7:00 to 9:00pm at Benton High School August 24th

DEPART FOR BAHAMAS FIELD STUDY the week of April 3rd-10th APRIL 2nd

RESUME CLASSES, teach coral reef ecology lesson to an elementary classroom,

conduct culminating projects (websites, print publishing, video production, etc.)April 19th, 2010 to

May 17th, 2010
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MARINE BIOLOGY

Tentative syllabus

August 24th

introduction of students and staff

reminder and outline of course

requirements

introduction to textbook

introduction to course online networkoverview of final projects

role of email & internet in marine biology

August 31st

introduction to the world ocean

video lesson: Ocean

ocean sedimentation and basic geology

September 14th

introduction & kickoff of major course

project involving social action: How do

Missourians affect our ocean resources?

September 28th

the chemistry of seawater

ocean currents, tides, waves, & storms

***$575 due toward fees:

after tonight $500 left.

October 12th

oceanic zonation and structure

the oceanic trophic pyramid*

October 26th

introduction to the coral reef (our model

ecosystem)

coral reef formation

video lesson: Cities of Coral

November 9th

oceanic producers

the algae

true marine plants

introduction to marine animals

November 23rd

Phylum: Cnidaria (corals, anemones,

jellyfish, etc)video excerpts on coral symbiosis &

reproduction

December 7th

coral reef ecology

current coral issues (habitat dest.,

bleaching mechanisms, etc)

coral identification

December 21st

midterm exam

video: Coral 2000 a lesson in coral

ecology from Looe Key

~CHRISTMAS BREAK~

January 11thmarine invertebrates I

Phylum: Porifera (the sponges)

marine worms

Phylum: Platyhelmenthes (flatworms)

Phylum: Nematoda (roundworms)

Phylum: Annelida (segmented worms)

Phylum: Molluska (clams, mussels, snails,

slugs, squid, etc)

January 25th

marine invertebrates IIPhylum: Arthropoda

Class: Crustacea (lobsters, crabs, shrimp,

etc)

Phylum: Echinodermata (sea stars, sea

urchins, sea cucumbers, etc)

Subphylum: Urochordata (tunicates)

Subphylum: Cephalochordata

(amphioxus)

CourseSchedule...

AUGUST

24th

31st

SEPTEMBER

14th

28th

OCTOBER

12th

26th

NOVEMBER

9th

23rd

DECEMBER

7th

21st

JANUARY

11th

25th

FEBRUARY

1st

8th

22nd

MARCH

1st

8th

15th

22nd

29th

APRIL

3rd 10th

(Andros Island

field study

depart on the 2nd)

19th

MAY

3rd

10th17th
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Syllabus: (continued frompage 7)

February 1st

The Fishes

Class: Agnatha (jawless fishes lamprey &

hagfish)

Class: Chondrichthyes (cartilaginous fishes

sharks, skates & rays)

***Final fees due tonight: $500

February 8th

Identification of fishesvideo study: Caribbean Reef Fish

Identification

February 22nd

Class: Osteichthyes

(bony fishes)

fishes of the coral reef

March 1st

marine higher vertebrates

reef creature phyletic ID

behavior of marine animals

symbiosis on the reef

March 8th

coral reef fish ID PRACTICE SESSION

vegetation zones of Andros Island

March 15th

introduction to snorkeling

reef conservation policiessnorkeling practice session (location TBA

usu. YMCA)

March 22nd

FINAL FISH IDENTIFICATION quiz

fish population sampling instruction/

practice

March 29th

Overview of The Bahamas and Andros

Island

(geological, political, and cultural history)go over field study itinerary

review of flight procedures and onsite at

Ft. Lauderdale & Andros Island

*April 2nd

depart for Ft. Lauderdale

stay short night there before heading out to

Andros Island early the next morning

April 3rd through April 10th

on site field study at

Andros Island, Bahamas

daily trips to snorkel coral

reefs, tidal flats and blue holes

debriefing each evening

journal entries w/ species ID

April 19th

The Andros Experience:

(debriefing and share session)

share & exchange developed photos

outline procedures for finalassessment & organization of teams

May 3rd

journal due on SaintJoe H2O network

begin in-class work on final assessments:

Print, video, and web publishing

May 10th

paper & pencil FINAL EXAM & in-

class work on final projects

May 17th

complete and present final projects,

including both individual projects as

well as group action projects for our

protecting ocean resources initiative

Your instructor

Sean P. Nash Instructional Coach at

Benton High School

Currently- instructor of both

Marine Biology and Dual-

Credit Biology

Former instructor of Zoology,

Botany, Microbiology,

Science Investigations,

Elements of Biology &

Chemistry, and Gen. Biology

MARINE BIOLOGY

*All photos throughout this booklet feature our students/

staff and were taken on past field studies to Andros Island.
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marine biology informational booklet 2010

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