Explore our program options for High School
Project Oceanology’s High School Trips offer hands-on marine science experiences in Long Island Sound. Students can explore diverse marine ecosystems, study the impact of human activities on the environment, and even conduct their own research projects. With a variety of trip themes, durations, and locations, there’s an unforgettable learning adventure waiting for every aspiring marine scientist.
Gull Rookery Study (Member Schools Only)
Overview
Monitor nesting activity on a multi-species island bird rookery by recording numbers of nests, eggs and chicks.
Highlights
Program Duration: 2.5 Hours - Low Tide
Trip Season: Oct-April
Student Limit: Up to 50
Science Standard: LS2-1, LS2-2, LS2-6, LS2-8, LS3-5
Nearshore Fish Study and Water Chemistry – Bluff Point
Overview
Survey the minnows and juvenile fish of the shallows, and collect data on species diversity and abundance. Conduct water chemistry tests to collect water quality data!
Highlights
Program Duration: 2.5 Hours
Trip Season: Sept-Oct | April-June
Student Limit: Up to 50
Science Standard: LS2-2, LS2-6
Salt Marsh Transect and Nearshore Fish Study – Bluff Point
Overview
Explore zonation of plants, animals, and peat depth to make connections between the environment and its organisms. Survey the minnows and juvenile fish of the shallows, and collect data on species diversity and abundance.
Highlights
Program Duration: 2.5 Hours
Trip Season: Sept-Oct | April-June
Student Limit: Up to 50
Science Standard: LS2-6
Rocky Intertidal Zone Transect Study and Water Chemistry – Avery Point
Overview
Dive into the rocky intertidal zone and conduct a study focusing on organism abundance. Conduct water chemistry tests to collect water quality data.
Highlights
Program Duration: 2.5 Hours
Trip Season: Sept-Nov | April-June (Depends on Low Tide)
Student Limit: Up to 50
Science Standard: LS2-6
Rocky Intertidal Zone Transect Study paired with Lab Program – Avery Point
Overview
The best of both worlds! Dive into the rocky intertidal zone and conduct a study focusing on organism abundance. Then move indoors to participate in a lab of your choice.
Highlights
Program Duration: 2.5 Hours
Trip Season: Sept-Nov | April-June (Depends on Low Tide)
Student Limit: Up to 50
Science Standard: LS2-6
Nearshore Fish Study and Water Chemistry – Pine Island
Overview
Survey the minnows and juvenile fish of the shallows, and collect data on species diversity and abundance. Conduct water chemistry tests to collect water quality data. (2 skiffs are required)
Highlights
Program Duration: 2.5 Hours
Trip Season: Sept-Nov | April-June
Student Limit: Up to 24
Science Standard: LS2-2, LS2-6
Critter Bins: Adaptations Focused
Overview
Students interact with a variety of organisms from Long Island Sound as they focus on structural and behavioral adaptations.
Highlights
Program Duration: 1.25 Hours
Trip Season: Sept-June (Organism diversity is based on season availability)
Student Limit: Up to 25
Science Standard: LS1-1
Critter Bins: Taxonomic Classification Focused
Overview
Students interact with a variety of organisms from Long Island Sound while using a dichotomous key to identify marine life.
Highlights
Program Duration: 1.25 Hours
Trip Season: Sept-June (Organism diversity is based on season availability)
Student Limit: Up to 25
Science Standard: LS1-1
Lobsters and Climate Change
Overview
Investigate how the lobster population has changed in the Sound. Students will be working through a series of stations which includes a live lobster!
Highlights
Program Duration: 1.25 Hours
Trip Season: Sept-June
Student Limit: Up to 25
Science Standard: LS2-2, LS2-6, LS3-5
A Changing Sound: Introduction to Oceanography Data Analysis
Overview
Examine Project Oceanology’s historical dataset and create graphs showing trends in water quality and species diversity.
Highlights
Program Duration: 1.25 Hours
Trip Season: Sept-June
Student Limit: Up to 25
Science Standard: LS2-1, ESS2-4, ESS3-4
“My favorite part (as a professional) was the behavior of our students. They were pretty consistently on task and asked great questions, and provided fantastic answers. My favorite part (personally) was discovering that squids have teeny tiny beaks! Who knew?”
Every contribution to Project Oceanology empowers over 25,000 students and adults each year to explore and learn through hands-on, oceanic adventures.
Your support is vital in providing our life-changing programs that enrich the education of the next generation of environmental stewards and marine scientists. Our work wouldn’t be possible without donations from supporters like you.