Honors Marine Bio Students Get Salty
In mid-September, Marine Science Honors students participated in field sampling studies of native shark species in our coastal waters of South Florida with Dr. Catherine MacDonald, Director of the Predatory Ecology Lab and the Shark Research and Conservation Program at the University of Miami. Our students boarded a bus before dawn with Mrs. Nelson and Mrs. Jennings to travel to Miami and depart on one of the University of Miami’s research vessels. Within a coastal bay, a series of drum lines with baited hooks and floats were placed along a transect line and checked routinely for sharks on the line. Circle hooks were used to ensure sharks were hooked within the jaws or corners of a shark’s mouth for easy removal. Students deployed and retrieved sets of the lines while discussing current shark research projects within the program.
Junior Lilli Hagemeier said, “The trip provided insight into marine science fields and the ability to talk to scientists about their current research projects in a real-world setting, and how they really collect data for their projects. It was almost like an internship for the day.” These projects included habitat use studies and tracking of threatened shark species with satellite tags, dietary preferences, reproduction status, immunology, lactate levels in blood samples to identify stress, and bioaccumulation of mercury.
Students collected three nurse sharks, Ginglymostoma cirratum, and learned the process of sample collections firsthand with live animals. Numerous physical measurements were collected, including blood samples, reproductive status and skin samples. The sharks were then released back into the bay. Students applied their class studies with a real-world application of current research in a rapidly changing marine environment. They also observed and discussed the array of differences between the program coordination and research focus of Dr. MacDonald and the current research projects associated with three students and staff in her program to better understand research paths, opportunities and the necessary work required to succeed in marine sciences. Tullia Knight, a junior, concluded, “Being able to see the material covered in class applied in a real-life scenario helps show the importance of the work we're doing. Seeing the crew members' passion and energy for their field and their research projects was inspiring and an invaluable experience.”
Saint Edward's School
Non-Discrimination Statement
Saint Edward's School admits students of any race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, disability, national or ethnic origin, or marital status to all rights, priveleges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the School, and does not discriminate on these bases – including traits associated with race such as protective hairstyles – in the administration of its admissions, educational, financial aid, or other School programs, in accordance with IRS regulations and Florida Statute §1002.421.
Saint Edward's School admits students of any race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, disability, national or ethnic origin, or marital status to all rights, priveleges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the School, and does not discriminate on these bases – including traits associated with race such as protective hairstyles – in the administration of its admissions, educational, financial aid, or other School programs, in accordance with IRS regulations and Florida Statute §1002.421.
©2019 Saint Edward's School, all rights reserved