La Lumiere students study Marine Science and sustainability in the Bahamas

La Lumiere School took of group of 14 students with Math Department Chair Melanie Groves and Science Department Chair, Brett Balhoff to the Island School in Cape Eleuthera, Bahamas from January 4th – 12th 2020 as part of a quarter credit class on Marine Science and Sustainability.

The students learned about marine science and sustainability through various activities and lectures, including topics such as coral reef ecology, fish identification, invasive species dissection, green technology, and sea turtle tracking. While at the Island School, the group also took part in a discover scuba dive course and helped research turtles through capture and release tagging, even naming three turtles that had not been previously tagged. During a trip to Lighthouse Point Beach, the students learned about the effects of tourism on sustainability, and how ecotourism is a long-term option for the islands of the Bahamas and other parts of the world. Each day began with morning exercise: running, swimming, snorkeling, and even cliff jumping. After a full day of learning the evenings featured lectures on various topics including renewable energies such as solar and wind, as well as water conservation. Brett Balhoff reflected on the trip, “This was a great opportunity for our students to get a first-hand look at real scientists working in the field as well as introducing them to sustainable practices which can be translated into their everyday lives.”

Each student will receive a quarter credit after completion of a personal reflection and a school wide presentation recapping what they learned.

Pictured: The La Lumiere group at Glass Window Bridge, which intersects the Atlantic Ocean and the Bight of Eleuthera.