• Imagine spending time in Key Largo studying marine biology as you snorkel in the sea grass beds, glide through the mangroves while kayaking out to a mangrove island to camp out for the night, dive in the coral reefs, learn about coral restoration, take an airboat ride in the Everglades, dive in an undersea habitat and lab and, swim with the dolphins. If you are interested in pursuing a career in marine biology or are just interested in learning about the ecosystem, read on...

    THE PROGRAM

    MIDDLE SCHOOL: The classes include: Introduction to Tropical Ecology and Fish Id. Participants will also be involved in a transect study of the seagrass beds, 2 trips to the coral reef, an airboat trip to the Everglades, a swim with the dolphins and a visit to a sea turtle hospital. SNORKELORS ARE WELCOME! YOU DO NOT HAVE TO BE DIVE CERTIFIED TO PARTICIPATE.
     
    HIGH SCHOOL: Classes include: Introduction to Tropical Ecology, Introduction to Coral Reed Ecology, Fish ID, Introduction to Sea Turtles, Everglades Ecology as well as several classes about dolphins. Participants will also do a transect study in the seagrass beds. SNORKELORS ARE WELCOME! YOU DO NOT HAVE TO BE DIVE CERTIFIED TO PARTICIPATE. A SCUBA CERTIFICATION OPTION IS AVAILABLE.
     
    Field trips include: 2 boat trips to the coral reefs to either snorkel or dive, a kayak/overnight camp out trip, a airboat trip to the Everglades, 2 swims with the dolphins  and for divers, a dive to an undersea habitat and lab and a dive to the Coral Restoration Foundation nursery to do coral propagation and/or planting.
     

    DATES

    Middle School: Columbus Day Weekend
    High School: Spring Break
     

    THE INSTRUCTORS

    Instructors include marine biologist from Marine Resources Foundation, Coral Restoration Foundation, Dolphins Plus and trip chaperons.
     

    TRIP COORDINATOR

    Dorna L. Schroeter, Coordinator of the P/NW BOCES Center for Environmental Education and an advanced SCUBA diver with 400 dives completed. She has been running education trips to Key Largo since 1989.

    CHAPERONES

    The chaperone to student ratio is 1:6
     
    MIDDLE SCHOOL TRIP: Dorna Schroeter, Stephanie Peborde (Fox Lane Middle School), Gabriella Rubeo (Seven Bridges Middle School) and other teachers as necessary.
     
    HIGH SCHOOL TRIP: Dorna Schroeter, Mike Sellet (P/NW BOCES Risk & Safety Coordinator), Maribele Pregnall, science teacher at Arlington HS, and an advanced SCUBA diver, Erica  and other teachers as necessary.
     
     

    TUITION

     
    MIDDLE SCHOOL TRIP: Approximately $1100 including room and board, all program components and ground transportation in Florida. Airline tickets and luggage fees are not included. Final cost is determined by the total number of participants.
     
    HIGH SCHOOL TRIP: Approximately $1650 including room and board, all program components and ground transportation in Florida. Airline tickets and luggage fees are not included. Final cost is determined by the total number of participants.


    FOR MORE INFORMATION

    Contact Dorna Schroeter 914-248-2335 or dschroeter@pnwboces.org or go to: www.pnwboces.org/environmental click on the Education Trips button and scroll down to either the Key Largo Middle School Trip (Fall) or Key Largo High School Trip (Spring). Here you can also view a slide show of the trip.
Last Modified on June 4, 2013