Local middle schoolers dive into marine science
Middle school students from Lehigh Acres Middle School and Harns Marsh Middle School left their classrooms behind and headed for the beach during a recent field trip with the Sanibel Sea School.
It was coordinated by the TRIO and Outreach Programs at Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU), which provide students with opportunities to grow academically and personally, explore future careers, and better understand the college path. The TRIO Talent Search Program, in particular, supports students in grades 6-12 from disadvantaged backgrounds who show strong potential for success in higher education.
“We are a federal grant-funded program that serves low-income and first-generation students,” Talent Search Project Director Dr. Daniel Toberman said. “Our mission is to get them to go to college and prepare them for success when they get there.”
The Sanibel Sea School reported that under its A Chance to Sea initiative, the full cost of the trip was covered by its donor-supported scholarship fund. Throughout the day, the students rotated through three engaging, hands-on stations designed to bring science to life.
First, they hit the water to explore the physics of waves in action. For many, it was their first time on a surf board, and despite chilly temperatures and windy conditions, they showed incredible determination.
Back on shore, students examined squid up close, learning about cephalopod anatomy and adaptations. The station offered a deeper look at marine life while building comfort with scientific exploration.
In collaboration with TRIO staff, the third station was customized to cover crustaceans. Toberman shared that students would be building mechanical crabs when they returned to FGCU’s campus later that day. They explored local crab species, asked questions, and observed behaviors firsthand.
“We talked in depth about different crab species to prepare for the building of their crab robots. They had a ton of questions and used dip nets to search for crabs on the sandy bottom,” marine science educator Izzy Lutz, who lead the station, said. “We found a large hermit crab, and when it peeked out of its shell, there were cheers from everyone. I watched a lot of students start out on the field trip, nervous about touching any of the animals we found, but by the end, they were volunteering to bring them to our tanks.”
Toberman expressed gratitude for the partnership.
“Thank you so much for providing the opportunity for our students to experience the Sanibel Sea School. It was extremely beneficial, and they all shared how much they enjoyed it,” he said. “It was an awesome experience for students who would not otherwise have had it. I hope that we can continue to collaborate in the future and bring students for years to come.”