Students from Ransom Everglades School recently teamed up with the REEF Ocean Explorers program for an unforgettable hands-on marine science experience. The day began with an interactive classroom session at the Ocean Exploration Center where students learned the fundamentals of Caribbean tropical fish identification, including how to recognize key features, understand reef habitats, and use REEF survey materials to document marine life.
After building their fish ID skills on land, students put their knowledge to the test in the water. Equipped with slates and Volunteer Fish Survey Project paper, they headed out for a guided dive, where they spotted a variety of reef species and practiced identifying fish in their natural habitat. Seeing familiar species in the wild helped reinforce what they learned and brought the science to life.
This partnership with Ransom Everglades highlights how experiential learning can spark curiosity and deepen students' connection to the ocean. By combining classroom instruction with real-world ocean experiences, the REEF Ocean Explorers program continues to inspire the next generation of ocean stewards and citizen scientists.