From the Chesapeake to the Gulf, National Aquarium Scholars camp at DISL

Thu Nov 14, 2024 by Dauphin Island Sea Lab, Photos courtesy Philip Smith, National Aquarium.

students walk with Greg Graeber in maritime forest. — Marine educator Greg Graeber takes the Henry Hall Scholars on a walk in the maritime-forest. (Courtesy Philip Smith, National Aquarium)

Seventeen rising seventh through ninth graders from Baltimore, Maryland, discovered the wonders of coastal Alabama and the northern Gulf of Mexico this past August. It’s the first time the National Aquarium offered Henry Hall Scholars the option to take a field trip to the Dauphin Island Sea Lab, and it’s already in the plans for 2025.

The National Aquarium’s Henry Hall Summer Scholars program offers free educational programs for Baltimore City Public School Students. The program is named after Baltimore engineer and adventurer Henry Hall, who helped build the National Aquarium. Since 1982, the Scholars Program has offered underserved students in the Baltimore area the chance to connect their textbooks to the natural world.

students examine sea turtle skull. — Henry Hall Scholars examine a sea turtle skull. (Courtesy Philip Smith, National Aquarium)

“We loved having the Henry Hall Summer Scholars (and their counselors) here at the Sea Lab. They were so enthusiastic about every activity, and we enjoyed learning from them as shared the connections they were making to their own coast back in Baltimore,” Dr. Tina Miller-Way, Discovery Hall Programs Chair, said. “We are passionate about what we do here at the Dauphin Island Sea Lab and appreciate the opportunity to collaborate and increase awareness of the Gulf of Mexico on a national level.”

aerial of research vessel alabama discovery — An aerial view of Henry Hall Scholars on board the Research Vessel Alabama Discovery. They learned about the biodiversity of Mobile Bay. (Courtesy Philip Smith, National Aquarium)

While the lessons focused on coastal Alabama and the northern Gulf of Mexico, the students related what they learned to where they live. For example, during the lesson on rising sea levels, the students were interested in learning how it impacted Baltimore.

student uses a level when studying sea level rise — The Henry Hall Scholars learned how to predict changes in the coastline. (Courtesy NPhilip Smith, National Aquarium)

The lessons also highlighted how Mobile Bay’s water quality struggles are similar to those of Chesapeake Bay. Both bodies of water cope with everything from fertilizer runoff to sediment and plastic pollution.

students show off ROVs at DISL pool — The Henry Hall Scholars built remotely operated vehilces (ROVs) and tested their creations in the pool on DISL's campus. (Courtesy Philip Smith, National Aquarium)

Connections like these are valuable in helping students, no matter where they live, to understand the connection we share with our ocean.