Based on San Salvador Island in the Bahamas, we will be surveying the health of coral reefs and documenting what threats they are facing. Right now, coral reefs are at serious risk due to climate change, coastal development, overfishing, and other environmental stresses.

The lead scientist, John Rollino will train us to conduct a number of ecological field measurements while snorkeling. We will survey hard corals and other reef animals and plants. We will also map transect sites, take reef measurements, and test water chemistry. On land, we will map corals in tide pools and monitor seasonal changes in beach profiles.

Join us on our adventure on an Earthwatch expedition, Bahamian Reef Survey from November 17-24, 2007!

Meet the Teachers

Sarah Mitchell
Johnson Middle School
Bradenton, FL

I am currently teaching 7th grade science. I have been a classroom teacher in public schools for 10 years.  I love helping students rediscover their natural sense of curiosity and helping them focus their questions and find the answers.  Having the opportunity to help students understand the beauty and complexity of the world around them, and how our actions it is one of the reasons I stay in teaching. I love to kayak, garden, bike, and play music.  I have two boys who are currently attending the University of Florida.

Blog:  http://xit.manatee.k12.fl.us/?blog=SMitchell

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Karen Stein
Ridgedale Middle School
Florham Park, NJ

This is my 2nd year teaching Science at Ridgedale Middle School, where I attended school as a pre-teen.  One of my favorite hobbies is scrapbooking, so I plan to take lots of photos of this trip.  I love to travel, especially to warm, tropical places, so am really excited to join the Earthwatch Expedition on this trip.  I cannot begin to imagine all that I will learn and be able to share with all of you!

Blog:  http://mrsstein.blogspot.com

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Grace Hancock
Hanover Park High School
Florham Park, NJ

Hi Everyone....I'm Mrs. Grace Hancock from Hanover Park High School in East Hanover, NJ.  I am sixty years old, married, with one daughter, and I have been a science teacher (Biology, Chemistry, and Earth Science on all levels) for the past thirty seven years.  This year I will have the opportunity to actually participate in a study that will add to the knowledge of how Earth's climate changes are impacting the inhabitants of our oceans. From November 17 - 24, I will be studying with Earthwatch  the effects of climate change on the pillow reefs (particularly sponges and corals) around San Salvador in the Bahamas.  This fellowship was awarded to me through the HSBC Bank in Florham Park, NJ.  I am encouraging my students, my fellow faculty members, and my friends and relatives to check out my blog and ask me any questions regarding this wonderful experience.  

Blog: http://hornetunderwater.blogspot.com

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Meet the Scientists

John Rollino
Earth Tech, Inc

John Rollino, age 35, is a Senior Ecologist with Earth Tech Inc., one of the world’s largest consulting engineering firms. John has designed and implemented numerous ecological studies as well as co-authored countless environmental documents for public review. He did his graduate work at Montclair (NJ) State University, where he earned an M.S. in Geoscience and an M.A. in Environmental Studies. He received his Bachelor’s degree from Upsala College, also in New Jersey. John is a certified Advanced Open Water Diver with additional Rescue Diver Training. He oversees expedition logistics on the island, instruction, team assignments and supervision, training, lecturing and data analysis. John lives in New Jersey, though he was born and raised in New York In his free time John enjoys cooking, hiking and puns.

 

Nassau, The Bahamas

Earthwatch Expedition Briefing

Earthwatch Classroom Earth Case Study

Photographs from the expedition

Year on Earth. Video clip overview of environmental issues facing the coral reefs and various tools used to survey the reefs as told by three students volunteering on the Bahamian Reef Survey expedition.  

Map