Open Day: Bridging the Biminis through Outreach and Collaboration (4/16/2014)

A few minutes into our chitchat and introductions, I was asked somewhat off-guard, “Hey, can I take a coconut?” Looking around at the abundance of untouched green spheres hugging our palms, I mustered a nonchalant, “Yeah, for sure. ”  But with those few words, thus kicked-off a 9 person sprint-fest towards the backyard in search of the delicious snacks.

“This is the Bahaman way!” a kid known jokingly as ‘Granddaddy’ informed as he bashed his coconut into the nearest palm trunk.  And out poured the liquid.  I watched the tropical delicacy get eaten to perfection, ‘macheted,’ slurped, scooped, then shared amongst all willing consumers.  If only it was this easy when we made coconut curry the week before...

With a snack to tide our visiting students over, now it was time to focus.  The academic day began with a lecture given by one of our volunteers, Zachary Parker (right).  Over the past few months, Zach has streamlined a solid 25 minute powerpoint that we currently give for public tours.  Now a seasoned guide, he engaged the high schoolers with his knowledge and wit, spreading word that sharks are essential to this area and need be respected and understood, but not feared.  

Bryan Keller, our master’s student who initiated this outreach event, followed up Zach by giving a quick presentation on marine ecology and coastal reefs.  With head nods, questions, and input from LMHS teachers Ms. Wallis and Mr. Clark, we began a conversation about development and how dramatically North Bimini has changed since it opened its doors to tourism.

Caroline Collatos (left), here in light blue, encouraged the students to find out for themselves which fish we placed in aquariums using the Fish ID book.  She geeked out fun facts on the temporary specimens, ranging from band-tail pufferfish to sergeant majors and juvenile damsels.  And as expected, the ‘Slippery Dick’ was a class favorite, slipping it’s way into more and more conversation as the day progressed. 

The teaching trifecta then ushered the kids into our renowned shark pens, where they saw firsthand the energetic, juvenile lifeforms that depend on the same, very habitat as themselves.  Though hesitant at first to come close, by the end of the tour I believe every student worked up the courage to touch a baby shark.  Our visitors are now able to identify at least two shark species that surround the islands, those being nurse and lemon sharks.  Here, Bryan Keller holds a mellowed, juvenile lemon shark (Negaprion brevirostris) as he explains their ability to actively pump water over their gills when stationary. 

One section of the course is to show the kids how to identify a shark’s sex, here with our juvenile nurse (Ginglymostoma cirratum).  This one is a male, which can be determined by locating two claspers behind the anal fin on the shark’s underside (unshown).  

After hearing our pizza delivery would be postponed thirty minutes, we made use of the precious island time by snagging our snorkel gear and heading straight back to the seagrass.  Though most of the students didn’t have much experience with the activity nor the equipment, they seemed more than excited to cross paths with upside-down jellies, bright orange Sea Cushions, one feisty Bahaman Blue Crab, and many more little fish that poked their heads out of their cinderblock and pen mesh-made habitat.  The snorkel finaled with a series of splashes and take downs in the shallow water.

By 3 PM, the students were all changed and dried off, ready to hitch the ferry back north and call the day quits.  LMHS teachers, Ms. Lisa Wallis and Mr. Clark, appropriately sandwich this photograph, as none of this day would be possible without their support and wonderful attitudes on education.  They are incredible role models and I know Bimini’s future scholars are in great hands.  

We were sad to say goodbye to our youthful compatriots, but with exchanged emails and hugs, we know we'll do our part to ensure this tradition continues down the line. To our budding Biminites! Marine scientists in the making...

-Chris Lang, Media Manager