Georgia Aquarium & International SeaKeepers Society

Activity 1: Ecological Impacts of Urban Cities 

Biscayne Bay is the crown jewel of Miami, however, the Bay’s proximity to such a large and ever-growing city in a highly populated state has left lasting impacts on its ecosystems. Through a set of on-the-water activities, teachers will learn the history of Biscayne Bay, the ecosystems that it encompasses, and the threats it currently faces. Teachers will learn about the impacts of pollution on this body of water, take measurements of water quality, and meet some of the habitants of the Bay. These activities will provide hands-on experiences to illustrate the ecological impact of humans on coastlines, which will be later applied to more local examples. 

Activity 2: Impacts of Plastic Pollution on Ecosystems 

Plastic pollution has become a large issue across the world, from busy urban areas to even the most remote islands. To learn more about the impact of such debris on wildlife, teachers will visit a small, remote island known to be a nesting area for many local birds and collect data to determine the most common types of marine debris and plastic on the island. Teachers will discuss sources of the most common items and propose solutions for reducing plastic on the individual scale as well as community scale. 

Activity 3: Biology & Ecology of Marine Organisms 

Miami is home to many different types of marine life. After exploring Biscayne Bay and becoming familiar with many of the species that reside in this area, teachers will head into the coastal waters of the Atlantic to explore reef ecosystems and their residents. Through a snorkeling tour, teachers will learn about the different adaptations fish use to thrive in different environments and explore the role of coral reefs as ecosystem engineers. 

Activity 4: Bringing it Home 

The Southeastern US has incredible biodiversity, especially when it comes to freshwater animals. In this concluding workshop, teachers will examine the ecology of the Chattahoochee Metro-Atlanta region, including invasive species and their impacts to the local habitats. Teachers will work together to analyze data points on the Chattahoochee’s current conditions and correlate impacts to the region’s ecology.

Other experiences: 

Throughout the experience, teachers will learn about the International SeaKeepers Society, Georgia Aquarium’s programming for teachers, and learn about conservation research efforts by local and global scientists.

DAY 1 – Thursday, June 22nd: 

Afternoon: teachers arrive & are transported to accommodations 

4:30PM: Welcome, Introduction to SeaKeepers & Georgia Aquarium, Ice Breaker Activity 

6:00PM: Guest Speaker – Introduction to Biscayne Bay 

7:30PM: Dinner at local restaurant, speaker invited 

DAY 2 – Friday, June 23rd 

7:30AM: Breakfast & review day’s activities 

10:00AM: Activity 1: Introduction to Biscayne Bay, local pollution, and water quality. 

12:00 – 12:30PM: Transport to Pelican Island 

12:30 – 1:00PM: Lunch on the Island 

1:00 – 3:00PM: Activity 2: Impacts of Plastic Pollution on Ecosystems 

5:00 – 6:00PM: Fish ID & Safety 

6:30PM: Dinner 

DAY 3 – Saturday, June 24th 

7:30AM: Breakfast & review day’s activities 

10:00 – 1:00PM: Activity 3: Biology & Ecology of Marine Organisms 

2:30 – 5:00PM: Activity 4: Bringing it Home 

6:00PM: Workshop feedback, experience sharing, conclusions 

7:00PM: Dinner 

DAY 4 – Sunday, June 25th 

Early Morning Breakfast & Pack up

10AM: Frost Science Museum and Aquarium visit/tour & farewells 

Teachers transported to airport 

SEC3. Obtain, evaluate, and communicate information to construct explanations of community interactions.

e. Develop a model to explain ecological succession in terms of changes in communities over time and the impact of disturbance on community composition. 

SEC4. Obtain, evaluate, and communicate information about biogeochemical cycles and how the flow of energy influences ecosystems.

d. Construct an argument based on evidence to explain the relationship between net primary productivity and biodiversity. 

SEC5. Obtain, evaluate, and communicate information on the impact of natural and anthropogenic activities on ecological systems.

d. Obtain, evaluate, and communicate mitigation strategies to reduce the impacts of non-sustainable activities on Georgia ecosystems.