MarineLab Through Fresh Eyes
By Clara Roth, Seasonal Field Instructor
Our new class of Seasonal Instructors!
(From left to right: Ethan Dewald, Clara Roth, Grace Davis, Brooke Woods, and Molly Ripka)
When asked how I’m liking my new position at MarineLab, I often say it's an adventure. If you were to google what the definition of an adventure is you may find something along the lines of an unusual and exciting experience or activity. And, in my opinion, that definition is quite a good fit.
MarineLab is in fact an unusual and exciting place to work. Being from Philly, most of my friends and family are shocked (and jealous) to hear I get to snorkel in the Florida Keys for work. And I agree, that is definitely one of the most unusual and exciting aspects of the job. However, showing students the unique habitats of the Keys is made much more impactful by having the knowledge and skills to teach them about what they are seeing. That’s where training came in.
Instructor Maria leads a practice Mangrove talk
Rather than being a prerequisite for our season at MarineLab, training has been half the experience. My fellow seasonals and I learned the curriculum so completely that we could explain the importance of a stable environment for coral reefs in our sleep. We spent weeks confirming that we know the ins and outs of coral reefs, seagrass, mangroves, fish ID, invertebrates and zooplankton. We also practiced teaching each other, ensuring that when students joined the activity it would be engaging and educational. Regardless of our backgrounds, I think it's safe to say all of us learned a lot during our “curriculum bootcamp.”
Another part of training was learning Marinelab’s snorkel sites (this definitely falls into the exciting portion of our adventure). While visiting mangroves and seagrass beds, we learned how to spot tiny critters to show our students. I’ve become quite adept at tracking down lettuce sea slugs, brittle stars and variegated sea urchins. We were able to explore gorgeous coral reefs and were visited by eagle rays, sea turtles, a baby bonnethead shark, and plenty of other incredible creatures. While appreciating the beauty of the ocean with other staff members was a blast, being able to share these experiences with students is one of the most rewarding parts of the job. Being a part of the joy of watching a dolphin surface while waiting for breakfast, or a group of manatees joining a mangrove snorkel, have been highlights of my time at MarineLab for sure.
Befriending brittle stars is an important part of training
Another important aspect of working at MarineLab has been becoming a part of the team. The MarineLab team extends far beyond just the instructors and I have loved getting to know everyone working to give students a unique and unforgettable ocean experience.
My time so far has not been without its hazards, such as moon jellies appearing seemingly out of nowhere. And as I write this article Hurricane Ian is approaching Florida; however, teamwork, caution, and preparedness make me optimistic it will be another opportunity to learn and grow while at MarineLab.
So far my Marinelab adventure has been full of hard work and fun and I’m eager to see how the rest of it unfolds!