For the first time this year, Sanibel Sea School and its parent organization, Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation (SCCF), took their unique and inspiring teen program to a new level with an added week.

An annual program offered for the past three years, it brings working scientists on a sanctuary island together with students who step beyond the classroom to experience the questions, challenges, and unexpected discoveries that come with real field science.

“We have always envisioned A Week in the Field as a program that could grow with students as their interests and skills developed. This summer, that vision became a reality with the addition of a second week specifically for rising juniors and seniors,” said Sanibel Sea School Director Shannon Rivard. “It’s an exciting milestone for the program that we are proud to continue each year if funding allows.”

Students invited to participate in the second week were returning A Week in the Field alumni who had completed the introductory experience in a previous year. The goal was to take the skills and experiences they had developed during Week 1 and put them into practice by developing a research project.

Assessing Mangrove Restoration Efforts

Under the leadership of Jordyn Sateren, a Marine Science Educator, and Skye McDonald, SCCF Community Conservation Coordinator, six returning teens spent the week of June 8–12 investigating the success of SCCF’s mangrove restoration efforts over time.

They began by observing study sites, developing their own questions, brainstorming ideas, and designing research methods. After presenting their proposed approaches to SCCF staff, they headed into the field to begin collecting data and testing their methods.

“The experience gave students a genuine taste of the iterative nature of research. Sometimes a method works. Sometimes it doesn’t. Sometimes the best solution is simply figuring out how to make something work in the middle of a thick mangrove forest,” said Sateren. “One of the week’s most memorable lessons came from exactly that kind of challenge: the students embraced a true ‘where there’s a will, there’s a way’ attitude as they worked to complete a circle plot deep in the mangroves.”

Perhaps most rewarding was seeing their research directly inform the work happening around them.

• Students used their data to recommend the best approach for planting new mangroves and then had the opportunity to see their research put into action.
• The week culminated with a mangrove planting, a chance to finish the experience by actively contributing to restoration.

And, of course, field science came with a few surprises. While the students were finishing their research, an adult sea turtle spent some time hanging out in the nearby mangroves, providing an unforgettable bonus observation.

Building a Community of Young Scientists

Also for the first time, Sanibel Sea School invited an alumnus from A Week in the Field to return as a leader and mentor for the new incoming class.

“It has always been our hope to incorporate this kind of mentorship into the program, and after four years, there are now alumni who are experienced enough to help make it possible. This new leadership opportunity allows alumni to continue sharing what they’ve learned with students who are just beginning their own A Week in the Field journey,” shared Rivard.

Just as importantly, it helps educators and scientists maintain those connections as students head toward college and beyond.

“We look forward to welcoming more alumni back in future years and building an ongoing community of young people who share a passion for science, conservation, and the natural world,” she added.

A Week in the Field began with the simple idea of giving students real-world experience in environmental science. Four years later, it has grown into something even more meaningful: a place where young people can discover their interests, build confidence, form friendships with like-minded peers, build a resume with unique skills, and begin imagining themselves as the scientists, conservationists, educators, and environmental leaders of the future.

Help Keep A Week in the Field Free

Every year, Sanibel Sea School works to secure grant funding and community donations to keep this program free for participating students.

If you believe in giving young people the opportunity to discover their place in the world of environmental science, please consider supporting A Week in the Field with a donation to Sanibel Sea School.

Your support helps ensure that the next generation of young scientists has the opportunity to get out in the field, ask questions, and discover where those questions might lead them.

Learn more about this unique and inspiring program for teens at sanibelseaschool.org/a-week-in-the-field/.

Part of SCCF, Sanibel Sea School’s mission is to improve the ocean’s future, one person at a time.