SCCF, Sanibel Sea School contribute to K-8 education
For over 20 years, the Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation and Sanibel Sea School have partnered with The Sanibel School to integrate environmental education within curricula for grades K-8. The SCCF reported that the collaboration is underway once again this school year.
Sanibel Sea School educators and/or SCCF environmental educator Richard Finkel will meet with each grade level twice throughout the year — one visit with a hands-on activity in the classroom that prepares students for a field excursion, and one outdoors around campus.
“With each grade level, we focus the content on one of SCCF’s program areas and introduce students to our mission,” Sanibel Sea School Director and SCCF Youth Education Director Shannon Rivard said. “The content was designed with science standards in mind.”
Projects will include a squid dissection, a long-term mangrove project and more.
NATURE’S KALEIDOSCOPE
Led by Finkel, kindergartners recently used their senses and explored nature’s kaleidoscope of colors, shapes, sizes and textures. SCCF reported that the students enjoyed exploring and discovering the diversity of nature around the school campus.
MANGROVE STUDY PROJECT
Guided by the SCCF, middle-school students recently initiated a year-long mangrove growth study project that will culminate with them planting the mangroves at a SCCF habitat restoration site in the spring. Finkel met with the students to discuss the importance of mangroves, back bay ecology, and SCCF’s Marine Laboratory and Coastal Watch departments.
He challenged the students to experiment with growing red mangrove propagules in different conditions to try and determine their optimum growing environment. Their results could benefit the SCCF’s restoration efforts.