|
|
 |
 ascinated
with the underwater world or interested in becoming a
marine biologist? Join us at the world renowned Gerace
Research Center in the eastern Bahamas to learn about
the marine world and intricate reef systems firsthand,
with the reefs, seagrass beds and beaches of San Salvador
as your classrooms. The sheltered waters of Graham’s
Harbour are immediately accessible to the Center, with
nearby seabird rookeries and patch reefs. Other study
areas close by include hypersaline lagoons filled with
ancient stromatolites, mangrove channels and fringing
reefs that are home to an abundance of colorful marine
life big and small. Under the instruction of professional
marine biologists, the curriculum is designed to anchor
traditional learning with immediate real-world application
and hands-on experience. The combination of dive training, field experiments, lectures, exams and marine surveys provides a comprehensive overview of tropical marine biology. |
|
| |
|
 |
| Day 1–4 |
| Settle into the Gerace Research Center
and explore the impressive facilities of this former
submarine tracking base. Ready to get wet? Hop into the
warm, turquoise blue water for some scuba and snorkeling
refreshers and learn the basics of scientific diving.
Then we get started with our first marine biology lessons.
What is coral? How does it form into reefs? Snorkel through
the patch reefs at Rocky Point to see what we’ve
discussed firsthand. Then hop on the skiff in Graham’s
Harbor and ride to Green Cay to see the endangered San
Salvador iguanas. |
|
 |
| Day 5–9 |
| The best way to learn about corals
is up close and in the water. The reefs of San Salvador
have a rich variety that is quickly accessible from both
shore and boats. Observe coral species we’ve studied
in class at various snorkel and scuba sites. Examine
rare pillar and fused staghorn corals. Learn how to diagnose
coral diseases and colonies experiencing bleaching and
algal overgrowth. Analyze and discuss the feeding habits,
life cycles, symbiotic relationships and ecological concerns
of a coral reef system. As our skills in the water progress,
we head out on our first wall dives. Check out a spectacular
reef which drops dramatically from 35 to 6,000 feet.
Keeping your eyes peeled for big fish and sea turtles,
descend into deeper waters to survey different growth
forms. Then drift snorkel Pigeon Creek and cruise along
the mangrove roots looking for tiny fish. Scuba dive
at night to discover the magic of bioluminescence and
the marine world’s nocturnal metamorphosis. |
|
|
| Day 10–12 |
| Need a break after cramming your brain
with coral knowledge? Trips to Cockburn Town and other
island settlements provide a welcome distraction. Get
to know friendly locals as you shop for souvenirs. Climb to the top of Dixon’s lighthouse for a magnificent view of San Salvador. Investigate
archaeological sites and the ruins of abandoned sugar,
citrus and sisal plantations. Feast on a picnic lunch
at the beach where Christopher Columbus first landed.
Venture inside coastal caves or bodysurf at Sandy Point. |
|
|
| Day 13–17 |
| The next phase of our course comprises
reef fish ecology. Over a hundred species are found in
the waters surrounding San Salvador, each with unique
behaviors and habitat preferences. After some introductory
ichthyology lessons, we’ll focus on the details
of different fish families. Sea basses, parrotfish, stingrays,
puffers…we cover these and many more. Visits to
shallow patch reefs and deeper walls get us up close
to the creatures we study. Learn how to hover upside
down to find ledge-dwelling basslets and hamlets as you
become master fish stalkers! Soon you can tell related
species apart with no more than a quick glance. These
skills will soon come in handy! |
|
 |
| Day 18–21 |
We spend our final days as professional
marine biologists in training, assisting with ongoing international research programs. We design and carry out our own underwater
fish count surveys for REEF and help with monitoring projects. Preparation and teamwork is essential for these scuba-based
studies, but we’re ready. An evening hike to North
Point provides a breezy place to watch the sun sink into
the ocean. Maybe we can even see the green flash! In this
beautiful setting, we marvel at how much we’ve learned,
explored and accomplished, and at how fast three weeks
can fly by.  |
|
|
 |
 |
 |
Hands-on Marine Studies and
Research |
|
|
 |
|
Marine Ecology Projects |
|
|
|
|
Data Collection for the REEF
Fish Survey Project |
|
|
|
|
Island Exploration |
|
|
|
|
Earn College/High School
Credits |
|
|
|
|
Earn 10+ Hours of Community
Service Credit |
|
|
Prerequisite: No Experience Necessary |
|
|
|
|
Students who are not certified
divers arrive four days early to complete the PADI
Open Water Diver course. |
|
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
