"I teach at a North Carolina Honor School of Excellence, a very high performing school which just so happens to be luckily located by the Atlantic Ocean. In my Marine Science and Environmental classes, my eager students have frequent field trips, and typical hands-on experiences, but I would like to ...
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"I teach at a North Carolina Honor School of Excellence, a very high performing school which just so happens to be luckily located by the Atlantic Ocean. In my Marine Science and Environmental classes, my eager students have frequent field trips, and typical hands-on experiences, but I would like to offer them a day on the high sea.
We are fortunate to be close to the Duke University Marine Laboratory and they have a research vessel that can be rented. I would like to utilize this resource and take the students trawling in the ocean, dredging in the sound and discovering the local effect of our unique geography: ocean, sound, barrier islands and inlets. Being on a bona fide scientific research vessel, working the nets, culling and identifying the catch, salt in the air, wind in the hair...makes for an unmatched day of learning on the "high sea".
My students need 2 hours of trawling time on Duke University's R/V Susan Hudson.
See Mrs. M.'s class participating in this project!
(Enlarge photos)
Oct 2, 2009
Dear Dan, Jessica and Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation,
Thank you so much for funding
our adventure on the high sea.
We took our adventure on Sept. 30. The fall weather was beautiful for the boat excursion. However, the wind had been blowing for a few days and seas were a bit too high to safely travel out to the ocean to pull the nets.
We decided to travel back to the protective sound, up the river where we pulled our trawl in an area known as Adams Creek. In our trawl net, we landed
our usual fish like pinfish, spot and croaker.There were a few surprises, too. The puffer fish was a favorite.
The kids liked the squid.We must
have caught at least a dozen.They enjoyed
chasing them in the holding tank and watching them color change and ink! We
also landed a nice sized sting ray, which we gingerly touched and then quickly put
back to sea. We landed a legal sized flounder as well. Sea pork,a tunicate, was pulled up in the trawl. What a slimy colonial animal that is!
After a great tour of the
Duke University Marine Lab and a buffet lunch at their cafeteria, we toured the
NC Aquarium at PineKnollShores
free of charge.Going as a school group
gets us that privilege. The kids love this part of the trip, too.
My student's letters are very
nice and share exactly with you why the trip is important.They learn so much! Some have never been on a
large boat before, some have never been in the ocean before, a few even got to
drive!! They will tell you that the experience is the best academic trip as
well as the most fun!
I appreciate your funding our "Adventure on the High Sea" ! And I appreciate your support of my classroom activities through donorschoose.
With gratitude, Mrs. M.
Mrs. M. sent this note after the project was fully funded:
Jun 7, 2009
Dear Dan, Jessica and Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation,
WOW! I am so excited that you have funded our trawling and dredging trip on the R/V Susan Hudson with Duke University. Like I said in my proposal, my students have rarely been on a scientific working boat. They discover the coolest things, according to their vocabulary! In the trawl nets, we catch several species of fish, shrimp and crabs. We have even caught an endangered species...a loggerhead turtle. We have been escorted out of the inlet to the Atlantic Ocean by bottle nosed dolphins. In the dredge net, we haul in urchins, starfish, and lots of bottom dwelling crabs and snails. It truly is a wonderful experience and I am most grateful that you have chosen or selected my proposal. Thanks to DonorsChoose.org and you my students will have a memorable educational "Adventure on the High Sea"!
Reviewed the project essay and sent follow-up questions if needed.
Laura L. (staff member)
on May 26, 2009
Verified the cost of the requested trip and posted this project.
Laura L. (staff member)
on May 26, 2009
"I gave to this project because I was once in the class there at CHS. I know it isn't much but i enjoyed this trip when i was in the class. I just want other kids to enjoy what I did. Its a great experience and will probably inspire someone to pursue a careen in marine science! I hope you raise enough money to go every semester!!
"
Jessica
gave
on Jun 4, 2009
"Thanks, Jessica. This trip is just so perfect: an educational experience so cleverly camouflaged and disguised as fun! I appreciate your validation of the trip!"
The teacher Mrs. M.
on Jun 4, 2009
"The oceans are the last great frontier on our planet and having students discover, learn and come to respect their vital role in preserving this vast ecosystem is essential to better understanding how all things work.
Dan"
Dan
from New York, NY
gave
on Jun 7, 2009
"We provided DonorsChoose.org with matching funds for projects that improve college readiness. We believe that when all people in the United States have the opportunity to develop their talents, our society thrives."
gave
on Jun 7, 2009
Project fully funded!
Happy news
on Jun 7, 2009
"Awesome!!!! Thanks so much. Our "Adventure on the High Sea" is now a reality! You're the best!"
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Laura L. (staff member)
on May 26, 2009
