We just wrapped up hosting the Florida Keys Lionfish Derby and Arts Festival, and now our education team is ready to dive in to a busy season of Ocean Explorers Education programs. While some of the lionfish caught during the derby are immediately prepared into delicious, fresh lionfish ceviche for derby attendees, we also save some lionfish to use during REEF's invasive species-focused education programs throughout the year.
Ocean Explorers program participants love participating in lionfish dissections. This hands-on educational activity is a great introduction to the natural history and anatomy of invasive lionfish, and also offers the chance to discover what they ate for lunch, by examining stomach contents! We conduct lionfish dissections in person at the REEF Campus as well as virtually, and the activity is well-suited for classrooms, clubs, homeschool groups, and families.
Did you know that lionfish fins can be preserved and made into beautiful jewelry? We offer lionfish jewelry workshops for groups and regularly host public programs at the REEF Campus. If you want to make your own at home, you can purchase your own jewelry making kit, which includes pre-treated lionfish fins, create your own jewelry at home. Lionfish jewelry kits or jewelry make a sustainable, unique gift for anyone in your life! Visit our online store to purchase pre-made lionfish jewelry and jewelry kits.
We also have free Virtual Field Trips (grades 3-8) and Virtual Case Studies (high school) focused on invasive lionfish. Visit www.REEF.org/explorers or contact explorers@REEF.org to book your adventure and learn about invasive lionfish today!