Hands-on Experiential Education
The Shark Research & Conservation Program provides educational experiences to groups of middle and high school students year-round. Participants play an active role in setting and hauling fishing gear and in scientific data collection.
Students connect with marine science in an exciting, participatory setting, augmenting traditional classroom education. SRC scientists, staff, and interns serve as mentors and teachers during field trips.
Things you wouldn’t get inside a typical high school class are brought to our interest, in the most extraordinary way.
— Vilma Sooknanan
South Broward High School Student
While many students participating in these trips dream of becoming marine biologists, their experience with SRC often expands their career horizons within the field of marine conservation.
I have studied the scientific aspect of marine biology since the 6th grade, but one opportunity I have recently come across from shark research is as a marine photographer/videographer. Therefore, aside from gaining personal skills that help me in life, and benefiting the marine environment, I have been introduced into new career paths that I may take up in the future.
— Chelsea Currie
South Broward High School Student
National Ocean Science Bowl – Team President
Shark Research Expeditions
Our longest running outreach program, which we began offering in 2011, is the shark research field experience. Schools from across South Florida partner with SRC to provide their students with a truly unique field trip, learning hands-on from shark scientists in the field.
Schools coordinates their schedules with SRC’s Logistics Coordinator to organize between one and three trips per year. Trips are chartered through local Miami vessel vendors and depart from Virginia Key and Key Biscayne. Trips generally depart the dock at 8:30am and return by around 4:30pm.
Onboard, students learn from SRC researchers about shark populations, shark ecology, research done by SRC, and how data collection is conducted. Once the boat arrives at the designated fishing site, SRC interns begin deploying the fishing gear and include students in the process. Even at the height of action, when the team catches a shark, students are responsible for helping take a variety of measurements and samples under the guidance of the SRC team. The whole day is designed to be an interactive, empowering, and rewarding experience.
