Reef Watch: Biodiversity at Risk? is a research experience program in which teachers join scientists in the field to investigate the health of several coral reef ecosystems in the Florida Keys. It's an opportunity for teachers to learn from scientists directly and to experience firsthand the discovery processes of science. It also gives scientists an opportunity to learn what teachers need and how the education process works. This discourse sustains a distinct and evolving community of educators, scientists, and support staff.

Peggy Hamilton Grade Instructional Learning Systems Specialist (pre-K to 12th grade) Syracuse City School District, Syracuse, NY "I was awestruck by the beauty and my experiences while snorkeling at Looe Key. A few days later, we mapped the video images taken that day and found only 4 percent live coral. Working with the scientists, I started to recognize a number of coral diseases and the impact agricultural runoff, pollution, and other factors have had on this environment. Later in the week when we snorkeled at the Dry Tortugas, I saw the ocean floor from a new perspective. Although it was still beautiful, my thoughts were of what needed to be done in order to save this fragile ecosystem."

Scientist Brian Lapointe creates a video transect line photo credit: Clarice Yentsch ©AMNH

Margo Murphy
Science Educator (ninth to 12th grade)
Georges Valley High School, Warren, ME
"...one of the things that really impacted me was the opportunity to work with a group of scientists that have clearly made science their life. But, even more important, their passion and their mission have made them a living. It's rare to find people, not to mention professions, where hearts and minds can be connected and in balance, and be able to make a living with it. Perhaps education and educators would be in a similar category?"

Teachers and scientists examine water samples photo credit: Clarice Yentsch ©AMNH

Karen Spaulding Science Educator (sixth to eighth grade) Morse School, Cambridge, MA "The first, most memorable experience was the overwhelming feeling of awe and wonder that overtook me as I peered over the reefs at Looe Key, watched an eel wiggle in the sand, and observed the sea fans sliver in the moving current. Although this experience will forever remind me of why we must protect all living creatures, it was the experience that I had in the lab that truly reminded me why I do and love science, and why it is important for my students to do and love science. For it was in the lab (sometimes at 1:00 in the morning) that I observed a group of people who hadn't known each other for very long working side by side with one purpose: They wanted to know. They were committed to understanding the problem of coral reef devastation and to working together to save the reefs. We all came from different places and had different backgrounds, but when we were in that lab, we were out to save the reefs. Unfortunately, it is quite rare to be in the company of such a driven, dedicated, determined group of people. It is that vision of crowding around the microscopes, preparing the samples, and making frequent runs to the corner store to stock up on energy food that has forever marked me. It is that spirit of committed scientists working together in order to build understanding that I hope to recreate again and again for my students."