The classroom has commonly been portrayed as a drab, boring setting. However, for a select group of Hoover students, the classroom exploded into a vast world of the unknown.
Andros Island, the largest Bahamian island, is where this new, spectacular classroom was set. Juniors and seniors were the only ones permitted to go on the trip, as the marine biology class visited the Bahamas April 23-May 1.
One of their teachers, Mrs. Sarah Covington, accompanied them on their trip and explained why this location was chosen.
“On Andros Island, there is a field station that focuses on marine education. Also, it has the third largest coral reef in the world,” she said.
Among other students, seniors Michael Mulig and Cece Ramsey took the journey and agreed that the trip was a unique one. Mulig said that they were able to snorkel and participate in multiple activities.
“Mainly, we snorkeled, and in our class, we learned about all the different kinds of organisms,” he said. “Each day, we went to different reefs, and we went to the tongue of the ocean, which was the deepest part of the ocean.”
In addition, Mulig said his favorite activity of the entire trip was the invertebrate walk.
“On the island, we saw Bahamian pines and casurina, which can cut your feet,” he said. “On the invertebrate walk, we found gastropods, starfish, and many other interesting organisms. It was amazing to be able to pick up a rock and observe life.”
In preparation for their trip, marine biology students had to participate in 15 three-hour classes. Half of the classes were held at Hoover, and the second half were held at Jackson. In addition, the students had to pay for the course and provide their own snorkeling gear. In the end, Ramsey said it was definitely worth the cost.
“I thought it was worth the cost because Andros is purely a research island,” she said. “It was a unique experience because you can’t just decide to go there whenever you want.”
Ramsey and Mulig also spoke of what occurred in class. Ramsey that she really enjoyed learning about the culture found on the Bahamian islands.
“Our marine bio classes were very different from regular school,” Ramsey said. “Every class, we would listen to a teacher lecture or give a Powerpoint presentation. Then, we’d have to take quizzes about the material on the same night. Learning about the culture and then meeting the people was definitely cool.”
As Ramsey said, the students did not confine their studies to the areas of only marine life. They were able to view land organisms, and they had the ability to mingle and learn about the people living on the island. Mulig said he was very impressed with a particular individual.
“When we didn’t go snorkeling, we would learn about Bahamian culture,” Mulig said. “We got to meet Henry Wallace, a famous wood carver, and he even made a wood carving for one of the marine bio students.”
Ramsey also talked about the scenery that every student was able to take in.
“Our cabins were on the beach, and it was neat to see the sun rise early in the morning,” she said. “The ocean was breathtaking because it wasn’t just one shade of blue. For example, if it was dark blue, then you could tell that there was coral or a deep hole at that spot.”
Covington also said the trip was a very enjoyable one.
“Honestly, out of eight, this was my favorite trip, and I’m not just saying that,” she said. “It was a smaller group of excellent students who were focused and happy to be on the trip.”
Moreover, Ramsey and Mulig agreed they had gone on a fantastic trip.
“I thought the trip was amazing,” Mulig said. “It gave me an experience that I never would have had otherwise, and it was eye-opening. I was left speechless, and I wish I could go back.”