A Day on the Ocean

20 May 2024. Who wouldn't want to trade the confines of a highschool classroom for a day on the ocean, particularly one packed with whales, dolphins and seabirds? On this Monday in May, 60 seniors of the Marine Magnet Highschool in Groton, CT and the Plainfield Highschool in Plainfield, CT were indeed lucky enough to enjoy such exceptional experience and a very special class out on the water.

Because this was no ordinary whale watch. Our team from the NSF-funded sand lance project (Hannes, Zosia, Lucas, and Emma) accompanied the highschoolers and together boarded the "Tails of the Sea" (Captain John Boats, Plymouth, MA). While the vessel navigated the route to the Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary, Zosia, Emma and Lucas assembled small groups of students to tell them more about what extraordinary fish sand lance are, why they are so important, and why ocean acidification may be a troublesome issue for these forage fish.

Emma and students
On 20 May 2024, Emma Siegfried explains the importance of sandlance to highschool students

What we hoped but couldn't have known for sure: nature spectacularly cooperated with our curriculum. We observed large numbers of minke, fin, and humpback whales as well as a large pod of Atlantic white-sided dolphins chasing schools of sand lance all around the ship, while gannets, seagulls and terns were trying to get their share of the feast from above. Mesmerized, nobody could get away without learning the central lesson of this day. Sand lance are the backbone of the Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary, and there are still too many things we do not know about these fish.

Lucas and students
Lucas Jones introduces Stellwagen Bank to students of the Marine Magnet Highschool in Groton, CT

Zosia teaching
Zosia teaching students from Plainfield Highschool about ocean acidification and potential impacts on the food web

Students whale watching
On May 20th 2024, students stand on the bow of the 'Tails of the Sea' to spot whales and dolphins

A special thanks for a flawless coordination and logistics to highschool teachers Amy Ferland from Groton, Stephanie Pye and Anita Japp (supporting this event despite her recent retirement) from Plainfield. This NSF-funded outreach activity will now be repeated for two more years! At least all our team can't wait to get out there again. Have a look at the days pictures and a video of some of the most memorable moments.

Zosia and teachers
Returning from a successful class two teachers from the Marine Magnet Highschool and UConn's Zosia Baumann

Emma, Lucas, Zosia
Emma Siegfried, Lucas Jones, and Zosia Baumann