Students from the George Washington University Online High School arrived this past weekend with the goal of experiencing their education firsthand and coming together as a group of individuals who have never met in person before – much like our semester program. They immediately jumped in with CEI’s flats ecology program on Sunday, studying climate change and its effects on a number of species, running salinity and respirometry tests, and beginning to restore a mangrove habitat. Monday found them seining for mojarra in a nearby creek and dissecting bonefish in the wet lab, before learning how to fly fish early Tuesday morning.

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In addition to the plethora of research being undertaken by these seven young scholars, they have also gotten a chance to experience The Island School way of life firsthand. Tuesday morning took them on their very own run swim, with navigating Current Cut already under their belt and leaps off of High Rock in the near future. Students have also been able to take an up-close-and-personal glance at sustainable aquaculture by snorkeling the cage and feeding our cobia. And, by the end of the week, they will have traveled north and seen all the sights Eleuthera has to offer!

They remark:

“I love green technology…everything must be conserved…we went snorkeling and learned about fish…I have discovered a new love for puffers…DISH CREW has been fun, it’s practically a party…it’s been a great adventure so far!”

On Friday night, students have been tasked with giving a 15-minute presentation on what they will have learned throughout their time in The Bahamas. We are excited to see what they are able to draw from this week and look forward to hearing all
about it!