SCS - Field Experiences

FIELD EXPERIENCES

Field experiences at Sigsbee Charter School are the heart of our science program. Students extend learning beyond the classroom by participating in local walking and wading trips and traveling into the community to access the unique culture of Key West. In addition, students learn from their environment on longer range trips to Pigeon Key, the Dry Tortugas, the Everglades and even Cuba! These trip shape our focus on "place-based education."

Sigsbee Charter.mp4

Kindergarten

Students learn about the wildlife around them with Reef Relief’s introductory lessons on the coral reef, as well as having a visit from Animal Farm and a field trip to the Aquarium. Kindergartners learn about the local marine life on the Sigsbee base with a wading trip. Sigsbee Kindergarteners are busy learning about what makes Key West so special!

First Grade

Students learn about the Coral Reef and marine ecosystems with Reef Relief. They also travel to the Botanical Gardens to explore and learn about the various tropical plant life. At the end of the year, students go to the Eco-Discovery Center.

Second Grade

Students continue their exploration of marine ecosystems in second grade with a trip to Aquarium Encounters in Marathon, where they can pet stingrays! They also build on their knowledge from years past with Reef Relief. They visit the local Botanical Gardens. They also have the opportunity to learn about swim safety at the College of Florida Keys.

Third Grade

Third graders at Sigsbee learn about the ecosystems in Key West with a visit to the Botanical Gardens and a trip to Fort Zachary Taylor State Park. Throughout the year student gain a rich understanding of biodiversity in South Florida and even get to partake in a virtual field trip to the Everglades.

Fourth Grade

The fourth-grade students explore the Botanical Gardens, Bahia Honda State Park, and have a touch tank experience at school. With a new partnership, we will also be working with Fury to explore the Key West ecosystems.

Fifth Grade

Fifth graders start the year by going to SeaCamp in Big Pine, where they learn about the interdependent relationships between plants and animals living in these marine communities. The highlight of the fifth-grade year is an overnight camping trip at Marine Lab in Key Largo, where they further investigate the marine ecosystems and go snorkeling.

Sixth Grade

Sixth grade goes to the Ingham USCG cutter to learn about the history and relevance of the Coast Guard in Key West. They also learn about the Civil War by visiting the Fort Zachary State Park. The highlight of the year is a three-night camping trip in the Everglades where students get to go slough slogging, and learn about the diversity of the Everglades and its importance to South Florida.

Seventh Grade

Seventh graders work on a year-long research program with Reef Relief that culminates in a field trip to the Dry Tortugas. Students also go to the local Courthouse and National Weather Center.

Eighth Grade

Our graduating class selects a different culminating trip every year. They've been to Washington DC, Disney, and even Cuba. In addition, the 8th-grade class works throughout the year with MOTE Marine, with hands-on STEM Labs, snorkeling at Looe Key, and touring the MOTE Marine Coral Restoration facility in Summerland.

Field Experience Partners

Reef Relief offers a free program for all Monroe County School students. They can come to visit your classroom or multiple classes in one day with tailor-made schedules. Visits include a presentation and hands-on activity (1-2 hours in length) See the Lesson Options for more details. If you have any additional ideas or requests, Reef Relief is happy to accommodate them. All students, grades K-5 should experience 1-2 visits from Reef Relief each school year.

MOTE Marine provides science classroom visits that focus on a wide array of topics ranging from coral health to ocean acidification. MOTE Marine also provides unique experiences where students visit MOTE Marine Lab on Summerland Key and explore the coral reefs snorkeling in Looe Key and Fort Zach.

Everglades National Park

The National Park Rangers in the Everglades have been educating schools and the local communities about the biodiversity of the park, as well as conservation. The rangers offer virtual field trips, as well as host a three-night camping trip for Sigsbee 6th graders, an immersive once-in-a-lifetime experience!

Marine Lab

Marine Lab is a part of the Marine Resources Development Foundation with a mission to use education and adventure in the Florida Keys ecosystem to foster environmental awareness and stewardship on a local, regional, and global scale. Fifth graders at Sigsbee go on an overnight trip to Marine Lab where they learn about the Seagrass, Coral, and Mangrove ecology.

Report abuse