Educating over 3,000 students per year!
Educational Opportunities – Fall 2024
BREEF offers a variety of dynamic educational experiences through in-class presentations, hands-on field trips, and virtual learning sessions. Each option provides students with the chance to explore the diverse marine and coastal ecosystems of The Bahamas while engaging in important conservation topics. Below are the opportunities available this season:
Field Trips (In-water)
Mangrove Snorkel
Duration: 2 hours
Location: Bonefish Pond National Park
Students will embark on a journey through The Bonefish Pond National Park, starting with a guided boardwalk tour, followed by a snorkeling experience to observe all four species of mangroves in The Bahamas. Snorkeling equipment is provided.
Coral Reef Snorkel
Duration: 2 hours
Participants will have the opportunity to explore one of the most biodiverse ecosystems in the world: coral reefs. This snorkeling adventure allows students to get up close to marine life and observe coral ecosystems firsthand. Snorkel gear is provided, and the location will be confirmed based on tides and weather conditions. Possible snorkel sites include Saunders Beach, Sea Beach Promenade, and the BREEF Sir Nicholas Nuttall Coral Reef Sculpture Garden at Clifton Heritage National Park.
Field Trips (On-Land)
Rocky Shore Exploration
Duration: 2 hours
Location: Delaporte Beach
Students will explore the dynamic rocky shore ecosystem, learning about invertebrates, animal adaptations, and the interaction between biotic and abiotic factors. They will investigate the biodiversity of tide pools and observe how species adapt to the ever-changing conditions of this unique habitat.
Mangrove Tour
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
Location: Bonefish Pond National Park Boardwalk
This land-based field trip takes students along the scenic boardwalk at Bonefish Pond National Park. Students will learn about the four species of mangroves in The Bahamas and explore their role in coastal protection, as well as the essential ecosystem services mangroves provide.
In-Class Presentations
Mangroves Presentation
Duration: 1 hour
BREEF staff will visit classrooms to deliver an informative presentation on the four species of mangroves in The Bahamas. Students will learn about their critical role in protecting coastlines and the unique ecosystems they support. An interactive activity will follow to reinforce the key learning objectives.
Blue Bahamas Presentation
Duration: 1 hour
This presentation introduces The Bahamas as a Big Ocean State and offers an overview of the country’s diverse marine ecosystems. Students will explore the importance of these ecosystems for Bahamian livelihoods and learn about conservation efforts needed to protect them for future generations.
Coral Reefs: Rainforests of the Sea Presentation
Duration: 1 hour
Students will discover the rich biodiversity of coral reefs, often referred to as the rainforests of the sea. This session focuses on the marine life that coral reefs support, the importance of reefs to The Bahamas, and the threats they face, particularly climate change. A coral bleaching experiment follows the presentation.
Climate Change Presentation
Duration: 1 hour
This engaging presentation covers the greenhouse effect and its impact on The Bahamas’ ecosystems. Special attention is given to coral bleaching and how rising temperatures threaten biodiversity. An activity will follow to help students understand these critical concepts.
Virtual Field Trips
Virtual Field Trip
Duration: 1 hour
For family island schools or those unable to participate in in-person field trips, BREEF offers virtual presentations on the following topics:
- Blue Bahamas: Explore The Bahamas’ marine ecosystems, their services, and threats.
- Coral Reefs: Rainforests of the Sea: Discover the biodiversity of coral reefs and the challenges they face.
- Mangroves: Learn about the role of mangroves in coastal protection.
- Climate Change: Understand the impacts of climate change on marine environments.
Sign Up for Field Studies
To schedule your class’s next field trip, presentation, or virtual session, please book your appointment using our booking link. If you need assistance or have any questions, feel free to contact us at outreach@breef.org or call 242-327-9000.
FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
What age groups are eligible for the field trips?
Our field trips are available for students ages 8 and older, from primary to high school. For presentations, there’s no age limit — we can adapt content to engage any audience, from young learners to adults. Each experience is tailored to suit the age group and learning objectives of your class!
Are all the field trips water-based?
Not all field trips are water-based. While many of our trips involve snorkeling or exploring marine ecosystems, we also offer land-based experiences focused on coastal habitats and marine conservation. We can customize the field trip to suit your group’s preferences and comfort levels!
