Zephyr Education Foundation, Woods Hole
Also visit our website www.zephyrmarine.org
A unique opportunity to learn about science, research, technology and career paths in ocean science.
From a teacher’s email: “What a fabulous program! What a fabulous day! What a fabulous crew! I’m recommending we make this a permanent trip, and perhaps even engineer some experiments we can do, leveraging our new science lab scheduled to open next year.”
* Bring your class on a field trip to world famous Woods Hole to learn about exciting ocean science and technology.
* Find out what makes Woods Hole one of the most unique and biologically diverse regions in the world.
* Collect marine specimens and explore the diversity of the benthic community.
* Conduct oceanographic and water quality measurements.
* Cruise aboard the research vessel R/V Islander and use our underwater video sled.
* Explore the estuarine environment in the Sippewissett Salt Marsh.
* Learn about current research projects at the Woods Hole scientific institutions.
* Learn about the variety of marine careers.
The Scientific Cruise:
Classes will go on a 1 1/2 hour scientific cruise on the 53 foot collecting research vessel R/V Islander to Vineyard Sound. Our program is designed to include hands-on activities modeled from actual research operations conducted at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI).
Marine Biological Activities:
Each cruise will travel 2-3 miles offshore to a site where marine organisms are known to be abundant and richly diverse. We will observe the specimens in their natural habitats using an underwater video camera towed behind the boat. Students will participate in the deployment and retrieval of a naturalist dredge to collect benthic specimens such as sea urchins, fish, sea stars, varieties of crabs and sponges, and other assorted worms, mollusks, crustaceans and echinoderms. An on-board naturalist assists in the identification of the organisms, and will provide an overview of the natural history of each. In addition, the naturalist will describe how the organisms are used in biomedical research in the laboratories in Woods Hole. The students will also deploy a plankton net to collect zooplankton, copepods and larval stages of other organisms.
Above, Learning about acoustics.
Oceanographic Activities:
Students will help deploy a sub-surface oceanographic mooring equipped with a temperature and depth data logger. We will recover it using an acoustic link and download the data. This data can be taken back to school, reviewed, and posted on our website. As we introduce students to instrumentation developed at the labs and local oceanographic companies, students see how technology plays a role in this research. Other activities include lowering a secchi disk at several locations and making water quality measurements. Students are welcome to come up to the bridge to see the captain and ship’s electronics.
Tours:
A behind-the-scenes tour of a wet lab at WHOI can be requested as part of the program trip. Additional stops can be arranged to visit the WHOIExhibit Center or WHOI dock, and/or NOAA’s Science Aquarium. Teachers can also arrange to take a guided salt marsh tour, where wediscuss the habitat, adaptations by the plants and animals, and the important role of estuaries.
Above, In the Zebrafish Lab
Activities Based on WHOI research projects:
Through our collaborative agreement with WHOI, we present focused synopses of several research projects currently being conducted at the labs. We model our data collection activities directly from this research, often replicating the techniques used by the scientists. In our discussion of the questions, results and relevance of the research, we cover topics such as food webs, ocean circulation, ocean acidification and climate change. All of our programs are designed to include collection of data that classes can take back to the classroom, review, and post to our website.
Our “Ocean Scientist” Mobile App Program:
Contact us about implementing the “Ocean Scientist” mobile app during your field trip.We can provide a couple of tablets for students to share or students can download the “Ocean Scientist” app on their own Apple or Android device.
The “Ocean Scientist” app is designed specifically for Zephyr field trips by Aecern. It allows students to collect, record, and upload oceanographic data over throughout the field trip. Once in the classroom students can view pictures, review observation, plot data and perform analysis based on their trip. They can also use data collected by other classes during other times of the year, this allows for comparison and further investigation. Lesson plans based on the trip are also available for teachers to download. Contact us in advance to arrange this opportunity.
Capacity: The R/V Islander can accommodate up to 22 students. Classes larger than 22 are split into two groups for two back-to-back trips. While one group is on the boat, the other tours Woods Hole. Then we swap. We host one class a day; our day is based on your schedule. Please contact us for groups larger than 45.
Schedule: Our schedule is totally dedicated to the visiting class and is flexible to meet your schedule. We usually go Monday through Friday, and typically depart by 9:30 or 10 am. Reservations Required.
Please contact us regarding Saturday trips.
This program addresses the requirements of the Massachusetts Science and Technology/Engineering Curriculum Framework
Above, In Woods Hole, a Zephyr class taking a break with box lunches provided by Cape Cod Sea Camps.
Groups that have enjoyed Zephyr trips have also enjoyed activities and lodging offered from other Experience Cape Cod organizations listed at this site.
Student evaluations:
99% said they enjoyed the trip and thought it was educational.
97% said they gained a better understanding of the importance of the work conducted by oceanographers and marine biologists.
93% said it was one of their best field trips ever.
81% said their experience made more interested in becoming involved in science in school or as a intern.
91% said they would like to learn more about the science and technology they saw in Woods Hole.
88% said they were surprised by the variety of different occupations and activities in the scientific community in Woods Hole.
Experience Cape Cod 