The K-12 Academic Year Programs are
available through Discovery Hall with a variety of field
trips, labs, and lectures designed especially for students
of those ages. These programs are available August through
May and are by reservation only. Each program consists of a
half-day field/lecture or half-day lab/lecture experience.
Programs may be incorporated into short day trips or into 1
- 4 day field trips for groups staying overnight.
Due to
availability of classroom space, the maximum number of participants allowed
per activity is 35, unless otherwise stated. Reservations must be confirmed
one month before arrival. Additional information on programs, nearby
educational attractions, preparing your students for their trip, etc.,
available upon request by contacting
Sara Orescan at (251) 861-7511.
Just Touch Lab
Lab experience |
The Just Touch Lab is designed for
short field trips, and is a delight to the K-6
students. A variety of marine creatures are
introduced (using preserved, safe to handle
specimens) with a short "character sketch" of each
animal's life cycle and place in the marine
environment. After introducing such
animals as the sponge, jellyfish, sea star,
clam, snail, crab, shark, octopus, etc., the DHP instructor arranges
specimens for the students to touch, hold and
examine.
This activity really generates curiosity! |
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- This program lasts approximately one and one half hour.
- Recommended for all ages
Beach Walk and Maritime Forest
Lecture
/ field excursion
The
students are given a short, interesting lecture about beach zonation,
coastal ecology and maritime flora / fauna. The lecture is
complemented by slides and other visual
aids. Following the lecture, the group
begins a 2 - 3 mile field excursion along
the beach of the Gulf of Mexico, through the
maritime forest, stopping often to inspect
the various habitats.
-Participants may get their feet wet!
-Age 5th grade to adult.
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Salt Marsh
Lecture / field excursion |
| Estuaries
where the rivers meet the sea, is the theme
for this activity. Students are
introduced to estuaries and the important
concept of how the estuary is a nursery for
marine animals. After a short lecture and
slide presentation the group is transported (via bus) to a salt marsh
(estuary), located on the Mississippi Sound
side of Dauphin Island. Here the group experiences the salt
water marsh ecosystem by dragging seines, catching, and |
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identifying animals, and by
sieving shoveled-up marsh bottom samples.
-Participants will get wet and a
bit muddy!
-Age 5th grade to adult.
History
of Dauphin Island
Lecture
/ field excursion
Dauphin
Island’s history spans several centuries and includes Mississippian Indian
civilizations of thousands of years ago, European settlement by the French,
as well as fascinating Civil War history, including the Battle of Mobile
Bay. Students will first see a slide presentation of the Island’s history
and then tour the Indian Mound Park, followed by a tour of Fort Gaines.
(Additional fee for admission to Fort Gaines not included)
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Ages 5th grade to adult
Coastal Oceanography and Hurricanes
Lecture / field excursion
Wind, waves, depth and salt comprise some of the physical and
chemical aspects of the ocean. After a lecture and slide
presentation, the group will make their way to the beach near
the Sea Lab. There they measure wave crests, troughs, frequency
and the long shore current. Research tools are provided and
used to take other parameters, such as wind speed, air and
water temperature and salinity. The
scientific method is stressed to students. Students are given
the opportunity to construct and test a hypothesis. Because
hurricanes are responsible for large scale movements of sand,
this topic is also covered.
-Participants will get into the Gulf of Mexico!
-Age 5th grade to adult.
Squid & Touch Lab
Lecture / lab experience |
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This
program involves a more detailed introduction to different marine
animals and is designed for incorporation into overnight group field
trips. Students are given an exciting, interesting introduction to
the most common marine groups with anecdotes and amazing facts where
appropriate. Participants are then challenged to pick-up these
various organisms and identify where the eyes are (if they have them),
or the mouth and what defenses it might have to protect itself from
being eaten. The Phylum Molluska is emphasized, and the anatomy of
cephalopods is examined through a well-structured squid dissection.
-Ages
5th grade to adult
Research Vessel
Boat excursion |
The group will trawl in Mobile
Bay and / or the Gulf of Mexico to collect / identify animals that
inhabit the coastal waters. Students will have the opportunity to use
various scientific equipment to observe obscure life forms and to
measure physical parameters while at sea!
-Participants must wear closed-toe shoes!
-Age 7th grade to adult
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Productive Plankton
Lecture/Field Excursion
Students learn about the plants and animals
that make up the plankton in the oceans and
provide over 80% of the worlds' oxygen.
Students will travel to sites |
around Dauphin
Island and pull 85 micron plankton nets through surface waters. Back
in the laboratory, the live plankton will be viewed on large screen
televisions through the use of video scopes as well as microscopes.
Teams of students will be challenged to come up with a plankton body
shape out of clay or silly putty and the plankton races will begin.
-Participants will get wet and sandy!
-Age 5th grade to adult |
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What’s
in the Water?
Lecture/Field Excursion/lab experience
After
an introduction to the water cycle and watersheds, students will use
models to examine how water moves different items, from sand to
pollutants to trash, and how humans contribute to what water carries.
Students will take a walk on the island where they can observe
firsthand some of the impacts people have had and some of the ways we
are working to repair/prevent damage. Upon return to the classroom,
they will use the models to brainstorm ways in which people (including
the students themselves) can minimize their impacts.
-Participants may get their feet wet.
-Age 5th grade to adult |
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