Homeschool at Sea

Focus of the Week: Marine Animal Life Cycles 

Description: Dive into the fascinating world of marine animal life cycles! Each class will highlight a different marine animal, allowing for an in-depth exploration of its reproductive strategies, early life stages, and environmental adaptations. Fall is a special time on the coast: juvenile horseshoe crabs emerge on the sand flats, tiny sand dollars may be hiding just beneath the sand, and we might even catch the final glimpses of sea turtle hatchlings making their way to the ocean. Plankton tows will allow students to investigate the often unseen early life stages of a wide range of marine species. Join us to discover how these marine animals grow, change, and survive in their ever-changing environment.

Focus of the Week: Marine Animal Sensory Systems  

Description: At Sanibel Sea School, we encourage our students to use all of their senses when experiencing nature – holding a snail and letting it leave a trail of slime on our hands, smelling sand and algae, listening for snapping shrimp beneath the sea, watching osprey dive to catch fish, and even tasting the salt of black mangrove leaves. We’re focusing on the five senses this week: how do marine animals use their senses? Do they all have the same as us? Do sensory systems function the same in water? The experiments and activities will test what happens when a sense is removed & help us to experience the outdoors specifically with that sense. We’ll highlight creatures who have heightened and even extra senses, too. This week is going to be sensational!

Focus of the Week: Bony Fish 

Description: Students will explore local fish diversity this week through focused daily adventures. Each class will highlight a different species, guiding students to identify it, understand its unique adaptations, and, when possible, observe it in its natural habitat. From the rudder-like tail movements of pufferfish to the upright swimming and color-changing abilities of seahorses, we’ll examine the fascinating anatomy, behavior, diet, and ecological niches that define each fish. You can expect plenty of seining, dip netting, and snorkeling. There’s nothing like swimming along with the most diverse group of vertebrates! 

Focus of the Week: Migration 

Description: Join us to learn all about the remarkable migratory journeys of marine animals along our coast and beyond. Each class will focus on a different species—ranging from sea turtles returning to natal beaches to schools of fish following shifting temperatures and even the seasonal movements of birds that rely on coastal ecosystems as critical stopover points. Students will investigate the environmental cues that trigger migration, the physical adaptations that support long-distance travel, and the ecological importance of these movements. We will uncover the interconnectedness of species and habitats across time and space through field observations, data interpretation, and hands-on activities.

Focus of the Week: Mollusks 

Description: Over 85,000 different known species of these soft-bodied creatures can be found all over our planet! Some shelled and some shell-less. This week is all about mollusks—an incredibly diverse group of invertebrates. Each day will highlight a different type of local mollusk, from the filter-feeding abilities of bivalves like clams and oysters to the complex behaviors of cephalopods. Students will examine anatomy, movement, feeding strategies, and adaptations, learning how mollusks have evolved to thrive in almost any environment.

Area of Focus: Conservation and Restoration 

Description: Sanibel Sea School is a part of the Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation family. SCCFs mission is to protect and care for Southwest Florida’s coastal ecosystems. This week, we’re focusing on all the ways we do just that! Students will explore challenges facing coastal habitats —such as pollution, habitat loss, climate change, and harmful algal blooms—and learn about the innovative local efforts to protect wildlife and restore these environments. Through hands-on activities like habitat surveys, water quality testing, and shoreline cleanups, students will understand the human impact on marine ecosystems and the actions that can lead to meaningful recovery. Discussions will highlight the importance of biodiversity, the role of community engagement, and the science behind successful restoration strategies.

Area of Focus: Symbiotic Relationships

Description: Symbiotic relationships are fundamental to the health and balance of ecosystems. Symbiosis is the interaction between organisms, and this week, we will delve into the different
types of symbiotic relationships and their effects on the environment, from mutualism, where both parties benefit, to commensalism, where one benefits without harming the other, and
parasitism, where one benefits at the other's expense. We'll uncover the intricate dynamics of these interactions by observing real-world examples in the field. Symbiotic relationships surround us - you just have to know where to look!

Area of Focus: Marine Taxonomy 

Description: This week, we’ll explore the fantastic diversity of life in our oceans through the lens of marine taxonomy—the science of naming, classifying, and understanding sea creatures. From microscopic plankton to mighty whales, we’ll learn how scientists group marine organisms, what makes each phylum unique, and how everything fits into the tree of life. We’ll learn how to use dichotomous keys, catch tons of live creatures to observe, and learn how to group them based on their characteristics.

Area of Focus: Crustaceans 

Description: From the shores to the deep sea, crustaceans are iconic ocean dwellers with diverse body types and lifestyles that have evolved in astonishing ways. Meaning “those with shells” or “crusted ones” in Latin, crustaceans include crabs, shrimp, lobsters, barnacles, and more! Each class this week will zero in on a different species within this group. We’ll investigate the process of molting, get creative with carapace art, and snorkel Sanibel’s shores. Join us all week long to wade, dig, net, and swim our way around the island!  

Area of Focus: Physical Oceanography 

Description: Get ready to explore the powerful forces that shape our oceans! This week, students will become physical oceanographers as we head out to study currents, waves, tides, and the role oceans play in Earth’s climate. We’ll investigate how water moves, what drives ocean circulation, and how scientists use tools like satellites and buoys to study the sea. Through engaging experiments, maps, and models, students will discover the science behind ocean dynamics and how they impact weather, marine life, and the planet as a whole.

Area of Focus: Plankton 

Description: Plankton were named the ‘drifting creatures’ long before we learned about their complex swimming behaviors. These are the plants and animals that, in many ways, support all life on our planet. We’ll learn about plankton, collect it in specialized nets, and identify it with microscopes in the lab. We promise you will never look at a drop of water quite the same way again.