Engaging Migrant Youth in Marine Science through Experiential Learning Opportunities

Despite the affluence commonly associated with Naples, Florida, the eastern portion of the city hosts a growing migrant population consisting of predominately Hispanic immigrants. Migrant youth often have limited exposure to the surrounding natural coastal community despite being within five miles of the Gulf Coast. Since 2009 Collier County's Florida Sea Grant Extension Agent has partnered with Collier’s Title 1 Migrant Program to instruct a multi-week afterschool marine science program for migrant middle school students in East Naples. Students are selected based on feedback from administrators that they have had very little to no exposure to marine science and/or their local coastal environment. The goals of the program are to: 1) engage migrant students in marine science through experiential learning opportunities, and 2) expose students to their local coastal environment through field trips to representative coastal communities. The first several weeks of the program consist of classroom sessions where students have the opportunity to dissect various specimens, use microscopes to examine plankton samples, and participate in fishery conservation activities. Students also get to sample various types of local seafood to emphasize the importance of local fisheries. Following the classroom sessions, students participate in two field trips to local coastal environments; a tidal lagoon and beach exploration and an estuary boat trip. The program culminates with a graduation ceremony to recognize students for their efforts. Short-term knowledge gain is assessed through pre/post tests, and students are required to keep a journal to reflect their work during the program. In addition, students are given evaluations to assess the quality of the program. Twenty-four students have successfully graduated from the program since its inception. Since 2010 the agent has also had a high school migrant student with an interest in marine science assist him. Based on evaluations, observations, and personal conversations, several of the students indicated they were exposed to new content and experiences, and were more interested in marine science and their local environment. Because of the positive impacts the program has had on the students, school administrators and the Migrant Student Program staff have indicated their desire for the agent to continue teaching program in future years.