Sanibel Sea School Blog
Exploring Marine Food Webs: A Day at Homeschool at Sea
Students recently joined us for Homeschool at Sea, an immersive program at Sanibel Sea School that brings marine science to life through hands-on learning. This unique program offers homeschoolers the chance to dive deep into marine science and explore local habitats.
Last week’s curriculum focused on Marine Food Webs—an essential part of understanding how energy flows through the ocean. Marine Science Educator Jordyn guided the group, first in the classroom, where students learned about the complex relationships between marine species. From microscopic plankton to larger ocean predators, each creature plays a vital role. Students discussed how losing just one species can ripple through the entire ecosystem, affecting biodiversity and resilience.
The day’s learning continued at the beach. Equipped with seine and dip nets, students waded into the water to catch fish, crabs, and other fascinating sea creatures. Using what they had just learned in the classroom, students created a food chain using the creatures in front of them. Next, they explored the shore, collecting shells, seagrass, and other natural materials for an art project.
To wrap up the session, students created a fish from recycled cardboard and natural materials collected at the beach. It was a great way to combine creativity with science, showing how interconnected the natural world truly is!
Homeschool at Sea continues to be a fun and educational experience for all our participants. Courses are offered seasonally from September through November. Each week’s focus is different, and each class is unique.