Ocean First at Wahoo Bay: Discovering Coastal Ecology by Boat
Saturday, Dec 13, 2025
This workshop is proudly offered through the Center for Educational Strategy & Innovation at Florida Atlantic Laboratory Schools, a hub for advancing research-driven educational practices.
The "Ocean First at Wahoo Bay: Discovering Coastal Ecology by Boat" professional development workshop provides participating teachers with a unique, immersive experience in coastal ecology. The workshop is designed to empower educators with hands-on fieldwork and laboratory skills that can be directly translated into classroom learning, enabling them to replicate the experience with their own students.
Morning Session: Field Data Collection by Boat
- Participants will spend the first half of the day aboard a research vessel in the Wahoo Bay area.
- Teachers will engage in authentic scientific practices, including water sampling, biodiversity surveys, and environmental data collection.
- Facilitators model best practices in field-based inquiry and demonstrate how to scaffold student-led investigations.
Afternoon Session: Laboratory Analysis and Curriculum Integration
- The second half of the day will take place in the A.D. Henderson University School/FAU High School lab classroom.
- Teachers will analyze the samples collected in the morning, using tools and techniques suitable for secondary science classrooms.
- The session includes data interpretation, discussion of ecological concepts, and exploration of how to adapt these activities for various grade levels and learning environments.
Key Outcomes
- Teachers gain confidence in conducting field and lab-based coastal ecology investigations.
- Participants develop practical strategies for managing student fieldwork, ensuring safety, and maximizing learning outcomes.
- The workshop provides ready-to-use lesson plans, data sheets, and resource lists to facilitate classroom replication.
- Collaborative reflection allows teachers to discuss challenges and solutions for implementing similar experiences with their students
FACILITATORS: Katie Hendrickson & Ocean First Institute