Ocean Oasis: Marine Science and Volcano Exploration!

This trip takes students to the island of Hawaiʻi (the “Big Island”) for a hands-on science field study combining marine ecology, geology, and volcanology. Students will experience three signature environments in one trip: the reef, the open water, and an active volcanic landscape, giving them direct, real-world context for topics covered in the science classroom, including ecosystems, plate tectonics, volcanism, and marine biology.

Students will snorkel in one of the Big Island’s protected marine areas, observing coral reef ecosystems, tropical fish species, and manta rays in their natural habitat. A guided kayak excursion along the coastline lets students explore lava rock shorelines, tide pools, and coastal geology up close. This segment reinforces concepts of erosion, coastal ecosystems, and the interaction between land and ocean environments, while also building teamwork and outdoor skills.

A guided tour of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park will take students to see active volcanic features, lava fields, steam vents, and craters. This is the centerpiece of the trip’s earth science component, giving students a rare opportunity to observe plate tectonics, igneous rock formation, and volcanic hazards in a real, living landscape.

Educational Goals:

• Observe and describe a coral reef ecosystem and the organisms within it.

• Connect coastal geology and tide pool ecosystems to erosion and marine biology concepts.

• Explain the volcanic processes that formed the Hawaiian Islands.

Instructors: Katie Terry and Brittany Weibel
Open to: Grades 6-8
Limit: 12 students
Cost: $4185
Dates: Sunday, March 7 - Saturday, March 13