On Apr. 16, Izzy Lutz, a Marine Science Educator from the Sanibel Sea School, brought hands-on, place-based learning directly into classrooms at The Sanibel School. Working closely with the school’s science teacher for grades 6-8, the lessons were thoughtfully designed to meet students where they are academically while connecting core science concepts to the coastal ecosystems right in their backyard.

“Programs like these are a cornerstone of the ongoing partnership between Sanibel Sea School and The Sanibel School. By working with students across all grade levels, educators can reinforce classroom learning while fostering a deeper connection to the local environment,” said Shannon Rivard, Sanibel Sea School Director. “Students not only gain scientific knowledge, but they also develop a sense of stewardship for the coastal ecosystems that make their island home so special.”

For the 6th graders, the focus was on classification and taxonomy: the science of grouping living things. But this wasn’t a lesson confined to textbooks. Students rolled up their sleeves and dove into a classification lab featuring vertical oyster gardens — habitats teeming with life. As they carefully examined the structures, students discovered a surprising diversity of organisms living among the oysters, including mussels, barnacles, sponges, shrimp, and various types of algae.

Guided by Lutz, students used observation and critical thinking to sort them into their respective phyla. Along the way, moments of wonder and excitement filled the room. When students learned that a single oyster can filter up to 50 gallons of water a day, one exclaimed, “50 gallons?! That’s crazy—I didn’t know they could do that.”

Others were equally amazed by the biodiversity they uncovered. “I can’t believe all those animals live in there!” one student shared, peering closely at the tiny invertebrates.

Meanwhile, 7th graders explored an entirely different, but equally fascinating, subject: plankton. Students examined water samples under microscopes, learning how to identify both zooplankton and phytoplankton. They formed hypotheses about which samples would contain the most plankton, setting the stage for scientific inquiry and discovery.

Working in small groups, students rotated through microscopes, eagerly scanning their samples. Excitement bubbled up across the classroom as discoveries were made. “I see something!” one student called out, followed quickly by, “So that thing is alive? That’s so cool!” These moments of realization highlighted the power of hands-on learning to bring abstract concepts to life.

Part of the Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation (SCCF), Sanibel Sea School’s mission is to improve the ocean’s future, one person at a time.