Washington, West Florida students learning to create artificial reefs

December 10, 2024

in Industry,

Some Booker T. Washington and West Florida Technical high school students are learning to design and construct artificial reefs that may eventually be used to help the area’s marine life.

About 140 students from each of the schools are enrolled in marine science classes that incorporate a new Artificial Reefs Curriculum into coursework. The pilot program – a collaboration between Escambia County, the Escambia County school district, Coastal Conservation Association (CCA) and Sea Grant Florida – started in October at the schools.

“It’s a relevant subject because we have so much marine environment where we live. We also have a lot of artificial reefs in this area,” said Cheyenna Novotny, ECSD K-12 Science Specialist, who added students will study marine biology in their own backyard.

The Artificial Reefs curriculum is funded by a $50,000 grant from the Coastal Conservation Association (CCA). Additional funding is being sought from other sources, said Robert Turpin, manager of the Escambia County Marine Resources Division.

“Artificial reefs offer exciting ways to learn about various subjects. With the funding provided by CCA and others, students will be able to participate in the design of artificial reefs that will be deployed in Escambia County's permitted Artificial Reef Sites,” he said. “This level of real-world application of science, experimental design and environmental restoration is a rare experience for high school students.”

The curriculum was the brainchild of Escambia County District 5 Commissioner Steven Barry who suggested it during efforts to acquire funding for the SS United States. Okaloosa County purchased the vessel with plans to sink it near Destin – making it the world’s “world’s largest artificial reef.”

“Although it appears that vessel will be reefed by Okaloosa County, the concepts of teaching various subjects, including marine science, physics, chemistry, math and engineering from the perspectives of planning, funding, deploying and monitoring artificial reefs were of interest to my colleagues at Florida Sea Grant and Escambia County high schools,” Turpin said.

Turpin added the ultimate goal of the program is to develop partnerships with other high schools, colleges and universities, trade/vocational schools, and create age-appropriate learning materials for middle and elementary schools.

Timothy Day, deputy director of Escambia County Natural Resources Management, said the new curriculum further exposes students to blue (ocean-based) technology.

“We’re trying to capture students’ imaginations and help them find their passion for what they do in the future. This is another way for students to interact with marine biology, which can open the door to new career paths,” Day said, adding the curriculum can even appeal to a student interested in engineering or fabrication.

The school district plans to include the curriculum into the marine science class next year, Novotny said, noting there are a lot of opportunities for marine conservation employment in the area.

“We do have a few sophomores in the (marine science) class, but it’s an elective for upperclassmen – 11th and 12th graders,” she said. “With this curriculum, the students will develop prototypes and build artificial reefs that may be placed in the environment.”

https://www.pnj.com/story/news/local/education/2024/12/09/artificial-reefs-curriculum-at-escambia-schools-washington-west-florida/76564412007/

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Washington, West Florida students learning to create artificial reefs

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