Marine Science

MARINE SCIENCE

Located on the McLewis Bayou, Saint Stephen’s is the only area school with a dedicated Marine Science Center and direct access to the Manatee River and Gulf of Mexico. Students from Pre-Kindergarten through grade 12 experience a custom-designed marine science curriculum – One Ocean – that provides an opportunity for each student to study the wonders of the ocean environment.

In partnership with Mote Marine Laboratories in Sarasota, young students at Saint Stephen’s regularly participate in field studies tailored to the One Ocean curriculum. Our older students explore from the beaches to deep water habitats via hands-on research. Through these explorations, they develop an appreciation of and personal responsibility for our fragile environment.

Using a kayak fleet, as well as boats provided through a valuable partnership with the Freedom Boat Club, students leave from our dock on the McLewis Bayou to explore nearby aquatic habitats and complete studies that create a tangible appreciation for the beauty and complexity of the gulf waters. They do water quality testing, identify and document marine and marine-related organisms

OCEAN ACADEMY at SSES

Upper School students have the opportunity to participate in Ocean Academy, a focused study of marine science that results in special recognition at graduation. Students must take all three marine science elective courses offered (marine ecology and oceanography, marine biology, and marine research) and finish with a minimum 2.5 grade point average. They also complete a marine-related research project with publication, and participate in two off-campus marine science events in collaboration with local marine research and resource agencies (Mote Marine, Florida Aquarium, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, etc.). During annual Interim Quest, students also have the opportunity to take SCUBA certification or travel for extended marine study in locations including the Florida Keys, Costa Rica, Grand Cayman, Hawaii and elsewhere.

THROUGH THE GRADES

Marine studies are incorporated as part of a student’s science curriculum from pre-kindergarten through grade 12:

Pre-Kindergarten introduces “Life in the Sea” ocean fun and sea animals

Kindergarten-Grade 3 include six-to-eight week units on Florida marine habitats and major organisms (shallow water, sandy beaches, estuaries, coral reefs)

Grade 4 studies the properties of water and watersheds using the National Aquarium’s “Living in Water” curriculum

Grades 5-6 explore sand and shore as part of the study of Earth; local marine habitat study is offered during Interim Quest

Grades 7-8 study waves and ocean energy, including the polarity of water and its importance as a universal solvent

Grade 9 biology uses predominantly marine examples in the study of life science

Grade 10 chemistry studies the properties of water and solutions

Grade 11 physics studies waves

Grade 12 students enrolled in Ocean Academy design and carry out an original research project involving a field study. For completion of the course, they write a paper, create a poster presentation, and give an oral presentation of their project at the annual RISE meeting.

MARINE SCIENCE

OCEAN ACADEMY at SSES

THROUGH THE GRADES

Leaders at Saint Stephen’s have recognized that educating the next generation about the importance of the ocean and being good stewards of our marine environment is vital.

- Elizabeth Moore, parent and benefactor