We are 7 teachers from Utah, Massachusetts, Georgia, California and Washington who will be working with Earthwatch supported scientist, Dr. John Rollino.

In the crystal clear waters of a remote Bahamian island, we will systematically survey the reefs to document their health and what threats they are facing. We will conduct a number of ecological field measurements while snorkeling: surveying hard corals and other reef animals and plants, mapping transect sites and taking reef measurements, and testing water chemistry. On land, we will map corals in tide pools and monitor beach profile changes over the seasons. In the evening, we’ll transcribe the day's data, and enjoy films and lectures.
 
Follow our scientific adventures in Bahamas on our blogs!

 

Meet the Teachers

Heather Brown
Young Achievers Science and Math Pilot School
Jamaica Plain, MA

I teach 7th grade Humanities at Young Achievers Science and Math Pilot School. When I'm not teaching, I enjoy hiking, skiing, camping, biking, and not surprisingly, reading. In 7th grade Humanities, my students investigate how overconsumption of resources affects both people and the environment across the globe. We are particularly interested in how climate change affects us and what we can do to prevent further damage. Traveling to the Bahamas will provide me with the opportunity to study hands-on the affects of climate change on the coral reefs. I look forward to increasing my understanding of coral biology and the impacts of climate change.

I will be traveling to San Salvador Island in the Bahamas, one of the first places, if not the first place, that Christopher Columbus landed when he arrived in this hemisphere. With the help of the lead scientist, John Rollino, we will collect data related to the health of coral reefs and the environmental threats they face. I look forward to assisting with this very important research and also to share my studies with you!

Blog:  http://www.earthwatch2.org/LFF/brown/

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Sherrill Dappan
Saint Helena Elementary School
Napa Valley, CA

Hi, my name is Sherri Dappen. I have been an educator for 23 years. For the last several years, I’ve been the Reading and Assessment Coordinator at Saint Helena Elementary School in the Napa Valley area of California. I am a fourth generation Napa Valley resident, and I feel very fortunate to be part of such a wonderful community. My job is great because I work with dedicated teachers and motivated students, and…I get to talk about books all day. Besides my work at the school, I enjoy spending time with my family and friends.

Since I most of my current teaching involves developing literacy skills, I do not often have the chance to play with being-there experiences in science and social studies. I’m really looking forward to this project as an opportunity to experiment with some fun distance learning, as well as participating in John Rollino’s ongoing Bahamian Reef Survey. Check out my online inquiry “How Do Human Actions Affect the Environment?” on my homepage within the Saint Helena Unified School District website.

Blog:  http://www.earthwatch2.org/LFF/dappen/

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Denise Deghi
San Mateo Park School
San Mateo, CA

I am a first grade teacher at San Mateo Park School. We're a math and science magnet school and I love being in the position of sharing my love of the ocean and undersea life with my students. I am an avid scuba diver and enjoy exploring the world's finest reefs and documenting my activities to inform and inspire my students. This expedition is very special to me because it incorporates my passions, as well as it is a homecoming of sorts for me since I attended high school in the Bahamas where my love of ocean life began. 

Blog: http://www.earthwatch2.org/LFF/deghi/

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Sarah Hahn
Community Academy of Science and Health
Hyde Park, MA

My name is Sarah Hahn and I’m a science teacher at the Community Academy of Science and Health in Hyde Park, MA. I teach Biology, Biology 2, and Anatomy and Physiology to grades 10 – 12. When I’m not in the classroom, I love to travel, take photographs, scuba dive, and work on my Japanese. I enjoy finding new ways to connect my hobbies with the classroom and to bring places like Egypt, Kenya, and Japan to my students.

This February, I will study the effects of climate change, human development, and other environmental pressures on coral reefs in the Bahamas. In the field, I will work with a team of researchers and volunteers to collect data that will be used to understand how the reefs respond to these events and find new ways to restore the damaged reefs. I have been fascinated by coral reefs ever since I learned to scuba dive when I was 12 years old. I am very excited to help preserve the rainforests of the ocean and to share my experiences with my students!

Blog: http://www.earthwatch2.org/LFF/boston/

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Shea Pickelner
City Academy
Salt Lake City, UT

Shea Pickelner has been a student of entomophagy, biofuel production, street bicycle survival, urban foraging, teenage angst management, red rock deserts, and inflatable kayaking. She's been a teacher of chemistry, biology, environmental science and food science. But she's been landlocked all her life and knows nothing about fish. Nothing about coral either. It's true we have a big salty body of water here in Utah, but only very small things dwell in it, and the snorkeling there is not exactly world class. She expects the ocean to teach her some valuable lessons which she will pass on to her landlocked students.

Blog: http://www.earthwatch2.org/LFF/pickelner/

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Consuela Taylor
Charles R. Drew Charter School
Atlanta GA

I’m Consuela Taylor, a third grade teacher at Charles R. Drew Charter School in Atlanta GA. I teach all subjects to my students with science being my all time favorite. I’m extremely excited about the expedition I’m about to embark on. I’ll be part of a research team that will explore the coral reefs of the Bahamas. I’m looking forward to all my new adventures and sharing all of my wonderful experiences with my class, school, and community. I’ll be in constant contact with my students “Live from the Field” via satellite phone and web technology! Together, we’ll take a journey we’ll never forget!

Blog: http://www.earthwatch2.org/LFF/taylor/

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Kristina Willmarth
Lydia Hawk Elementary School in
Lacey, WA

My name is Kristina Willmarth and I teach fourth grade at Lydia Hawk Elementary School in Lacey, Washingon. When I am not teaching my wonderful students, I am spending time with my husband Eric, and our 4 year-old corgie exploring the great outdoors. I am lucky to have a career that allows me to bring my passions into the classroom daily. Teaching is not only about teaching the basic skills of education, but also encourages students to see the impact of human action upon one another and our world.
Traveling to San Salvador, Bahamas will fulfill my dream of volunteering to help our planet my experiences will give me rich, important material to bring back and include in my curriculum for my students. I will be helping John Rollino conduct research on coral reef ecology and coral diseases, most specifically, coral bleaching. I 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.
I look forward to the experience of a lifetime in San Salvador and helping scientists that have dedicated their time and efforts to such an important cause for planet Earth. Coral reefs here I come! 

Blog: http://www.earthwatch2.org/LFF/willmarth/

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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.  

Blogs from previous teams:

Sarah Mitchell
Johnson Middle School
Bradenton, FL

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

Karen Stein
Ridgedale Middle School
Florham Park, NJ

Blog:  http://mrsstein.blogspot.com

Grace Hancock
Hanover Park High School
Florham Park, NJ

Blog: http://hornetunderwater.blogspot.com

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