On Jan 29, Sanibel Sea School welcomed 23 students from South Fort Myers High School for a hands-on marine science field trip. The students in grades 10–12 were enrolled in AICE Marine Science, and the day was designed to provide them with real-world experience exploring the ecosystems they study in the classroom.

AICE stands for AdvancedInternational Certificate of Education, a global program administered through the University of Cambridge in the United Kingdom.

The visit was driven by a particularly motivated student who was also enrolled in the school’s AICE Travel & Tourism course. As part of that class, students are tasked with planning and hosting an event from start to finish.  

“When I was researching places to go, I stumbled upon the field trips you offer, and once discussing different potential field trips within my group, we decided Sanibel Sea School would be the best option to host a trip to,” the student shared.

South Fort Myers High School is a Title I school, and to help make the experience accessible, Sanibel Sea School reduced the per-student cost with support from its scholarship fund. The students took ownership of the opportunity by organizing fundraisers at their school to cover the cost of the bus, demonstrating teamwork, dedication, and a shared commitment to experiential learning.

The day was divided into two immersive stations led by Marine Science Educators Izzy Lutz and Jordyn Sateren. In one, students conducted a squid dissection, diving into anatomy and adaptations.

In the other, they explored seagrass beds with dip nets. The group encountered an impressive array of species, including lizardfish, flounders, pipefish, a seahorse, hermit crabs, blue crabs, and mud snails. At one point, dolphins cruised by just offshore, sparking audible excitement and awe throughout the group.

“Beyond the science itself, the day created space for meaningful conversations about future pathways,” shared Izzy. “I spoke at length with a student who hopes to become a marine biologist and wants to study marine science at Florida Gulf Coast University. We chatted about Sanibel Sea School’s programs, the diverse backgrounds of our staff, and summer opportunities for high school students. The conversation ended with the student joyfully exclaiming, ‘Well, I know what I’m doing this summer!’”

Field trips like this highlight the power of experiential education, especially when students are given agency to shape their own learning experiences.

Learn more about our group field trips here: https://sanibelseaschool.org/groupfieldtrips/.