Partners in Science

Project Oceanology

Do you want to take your class on a boat trip to explore Long Island Sound? Are you looking for a field trip in which your students get their hands dirty while addressing the 2004 CT Core Science Curriculum Framework? Project Oceanology has been providing hands-on field trips to their member schools for decades. Although non-member schools have to wait until 2:30 pm to use the boat, there is a cafeteria for lunch and plenty of lab-based and shore-based programs to fill in the day. Teachers can also arrange for their students to stay for dinner after the 2.5 hour boat cruise and then to participate in labs. With dorm space for 56, a school trip could even be extended into an overnight.

On a typical boat trip (grades 5 and up), students use a variety of equipment, develop hypotheses and a research plan, collect and review their data. While in the bow, students explore the physical characteristics and chemical properties of water samples they retrieve from the Sound. Then, in the stern, they deploy nets, trawlers, and other equipment to collect flora and fauna samples. Examining their catch, they measure, classify, and discuss the required environments of each organism. The organisms are returned to the Sound although teachers can take samples of plankton to view later.

Although there are a number of specific programs to choose from, the CT certified teachers of Project O will customize a program to fulfill the unique needs of each school.

This is not intended to be a complete listing of information. For complete descriptions of the programs, visit their webpage: www.oceanology.org

Teacher Preparation:
No specific teacher preparation is required. Project Oceanology does offer programs for teachers on site and in your school. In addition, they host a conference for teachers on site every fall and they have a “lending library” of materials, and marine animals.

For more information, contact:
www.oceanology.org

To view aligned field trips at Project Oceanology, visit our
Science Framework Resources Database