Join Field School this summer!

1/29/2017

Field School is excited to announce three courses now available for open enrollment this summer. Read on to learn about how to get into the field with us and get hands-on research experiences ranging from shark tagging to operating underwater ROVs!

Tropical Marine Biology and Ecology

Join us for an amazing five day research adventure in the Northern Florida Keys! This course will visit mangrove and seagrass habitats, offer lectures on coral reef biology and ecology (including reef snorkels), train you to identify fish species while teaching you about tropical fish ecology and biology, and take you on a hands-on shark tagging trip.

Photos from last summer's Tropical Marine Ecology course where students learned to use fish traps to non-lethally survey fish populations, take samples from and identify different shark and fish species, swim transects, use quadrats to monitor seagrass beds, and gained hands-on knowledge of a variety of tropical marine ecosystems.
What did students have to say?
"One of the best and most valuable experiences for anyone considering a future in science! The staff are so welcoming, and make learning new skills easy and fun! Easily one of the best courses I've taken, filled with many adventures and shark encounters! Worth every penny."
Emma, Acadia University

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Elasmobranch (sharks and ray) Field Research Skills

This field skills course is designed for students who are passionate about sharks and want to get basic experience working with a range of elasmobranch species. It will include instruction on shark handling and workup procedures, including the collection of morphological measurements, as well as training in numerous fishing methods, including longlining, gillnetting, and the use of drumlines. Students will gain experience fishing in estuarine, inshore and offshore environments. Students will be taught how to safely restrain sharks of various sizes and species, as well as techniques for minimizing shark capture stress. In addition to field days, this course includes significant classroom instruction on shark biology and ecology, field research skills and techniques, and experimental design. We also include an optional but highly recommended workshop on communicating with the public about your research--especially important for those studying animals that are dangerously misunderstood. Species that may be caught include: Atlantic sharpnose, lemon, sandbar, bull, spinner, sand tiger, blacktip, bonnethead, tiger, scalloped hammerhead, and southern stingray.

Photos from last summer's Elasmobranch field skills course. Students learned how to conduct research with sharks and rays, including experimental design, gear construction, gear deployment, safety, proper animal handling techniques, and data and sample collection.
What did students have to say?
Field School is a great opportunity to gain invaluable, hands-on experience in the process of catching, handling, and gathering data from sharks. In addition, they will teach you various ways to do research, from long-lining and gill-netting to Baited Remote Underwater Videos (which you will design and build yourself). The lectures are very informative and are applicable to what you will be doing throughout the week. If you are interested in marine biology on any level (undergraduate, graduate, or even as leisurely interest), this course can help get you some of the skills and background knowledge to pursue your interests.
Brandon, Ohio State University

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Robots vs Aliens: Using ROVs to Study Invasive Species!

Join us for our newest Field School course offering! Get hands-on experience using Underwater Remotely Operated Vehicles for marine science research. Course research will focus on South Florida, where invasive species from lionfish to pythons are causing serious environmental damage. Gain critical experience with emerging technology that will give you the skills you need to be competitive for internships, graduate school and the job market.

Course includes in-depth instruction by credentialed, experienced field scientists and hands-on research experience with ROV flight and operation, team research, and experimental design, including executing projects created by students.