Author: REEF Education Team
GROUPER MOON PROJECT: A LESSON IN NATURE'S SURPRISES
This year’s Grouper Moon Project field season provided an unexpected learning opportunity with a big question: Where are the fish?
Nassau Grouper typically spawn around the first full moon of winter, in late January or early February. This year, our team of researchers gathered in the Cayman Islands in both January and February to study these aggregations.
For the first time since our research began in 2001, the Nassau Grouper did not gather at their usual spawning site on Little Cayman. Most of the estimated 9,000 resident fish were nowhere to be found. While we know they had left their home reefs, their exact location remained a mystery. This was a powerful reminder for students and scientists alike: nature is unpredictable, and science is always full of surprises.
Despite this unexpected occurrence, our team gathered valuable data. Educatorscan engage their students in this real-world scientific process by watching recordings of our field sessions, including live-streamed underwater broadcasts, available on our YouTube channel. This is a great opportunity to spark curiosity and discussions about marine science, conservation, and the ever-evolving nature of research.
Author: REEF Education Team
The brand-new REEF Ocean Exploration Center set to open the weekend of World Ocean Day, June 7-8. Based in Key Largo, the Center will be a hub for ocean discovery, environmental awareness, and hands-on learning. It will feature immersive exhibits and activities, plus a state-of-the-art classroom to support our education programs.
The Center will serve learners of all ages and backgrounds, from school field trips, homeschool students, workshop attendees, and tour groups. Students can explore REEF’s Grouper Moon Project and then visit our Nassau Grouper exhibit to learn about the innovative technology used to estimate population size and abundance. Visitors can also dive into Florida Keys fish identification, then join in our "Century Dive" surveying activity to find as many species as possible - more than 100 species are hidden throughout the Center!
Whether you’re a student, teacher, or lifelong learner, we invite you to dive into ocean discovery with us. The Ocean Exploration Center is more than just a space, it’s a gateway to understanding and protecting our blue planet. Come learn, explore, and be inspired! Learn more about our educational programming here.Ready to dive in? Click here to fill out a booking request.
Author: REEF Education Team
REEF's location in the Florida Keys comes with many perks, including the opportunity to scuba dive, snorkel, kayak, and see marine life up close during an Expedition! These programs range from two days to a full week and combine field activities with classroom sessions.
Expeditions can be tailored to your group’s interests, and there are many exciting options for activities! One day may include fish ID lessons in the morning, followed by an afternoon snorkeling trip to the coral reef. Then, the next day could feature a kayak tour through the mangroves, followed by a marine ecology lesson.
Groups from across the country have participated in our Expeditions, and we invite you to contact us to book your adventure today! Click here for more information about Expeditions.
Author: REEF Education Team
REEF's education team recently collaborated with college professors Amy Jean Horner Reber, Ph.D., from Georgia State University, and Austin D. Heil, Ph.D., from University of Georgia, along with the Undergraduate Student Experiences with Citizen Science (USE CitSci) network to develop two new teaching units designed for science and non-science majors’ college-level courses.
These units leverage REEF's rich citizen science data to engage undergraduate students in real-world scientific practices. Through this collaboration, REEF and USE CitSci aim to support educators in creating more inclusive and hands-on learning environments, while helping students build data literacy, deepen their understanding of marine ecosystems, and experience the value of authentic science participation.
USE CitSci is a national network focused on expanding the use of citizen science in undergraduate education. The initiative brings together educators, researchers, and practitioners to improve learning outcomes, support diverse learners, and foster a strong community of practice around data-driven, experiential learning.
You can find Dr. Reber’s Unit: Exploring Trends in Rainbow Parrotfish Abundance Using the REEF Database and Dr. Heil’s Unit: Florida Goliath Grouper Fishery Case here.
