Middle school students from Lehigh Acres Middle School and Harns Marsh Middle School left their classrooms behind and headed for the beach during a recent field trip with Sanibel Sea School.

The trip was coordinated by the TRIO and Outreach Programs at Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU), which provide students with opportunities to grow academically and personally, explore future careers, and better understand the college path.

The TRIO Talent Search Program, in particular, supports 6 – 12 grade students from disadvantaged backgrounds who show strong potential for success in higher education.

“We are a federal grant-funded program that serves low-income and first-generation students. Our mission is to get them to go to college and prepare them for success when they get there,” shared Dr. Daniel Toberman, Talent Search Project Director.

Under Sanibel Sea School’s A Chance to Sea initiative, the full cost of the trip was covered by its donor-supported scholarship fund, removing barriers and opening the door for students to experience hands-on marine science in a meaningful way.

Throughout the day, students rotated through three engaging, hands-on stations designed to bring science to life. First, students hit the water to explore the physics of waves in action. For many, it was their first time on a surf board, and despite chilly temperatures and windy conditions, they showed incredible determination.

Encouragement from peers turned nervous hesitation into moments of triumph. One student, initially unsure about trying, stood up on her board on her very first attempt and later shared, “I’m actually pretty good at surfing — I’m so glad I tried it.”

Back on shore, students examined squid up close, learning about cephalopod anatomy and adaptations. This station offered a deeper look at marine life while building comfort with scientific exploration.

In collaboration with TRIO staff, the third station was customized to cover crustaceans. Toberman shared that students would be building mechanical crabs when they returned to FGCUs campus later that day. Students explored local crab species, asked thoughtful questions, and observed behaviors firsthand.

“We talked in depth about different crab species to prepare for the building of their crab robots,” shared Izzy Lutz, Marine Science Educator, who lead the station. “They had a ton of questions and used dip nets to search for crabs on the sandy bottom. We found a large hermit crab, and when it peeked out of its shell, there were cheers from everyone. I watched a lot of students start out on the field trip, nervous about touching any of the animals we found, but by the end, they were volunteering to bring them to our tanks.”

Educator Jordyn Sateren also noted meaningful conversations about future careers.

“I had another student mention that she wanted to be a marine biologist when she grew up and was asking some questions about how many years of college you would have to do, what my favorite classes were, and if that’s something she could go to the local colleges for,” commented Sateren.

By the end of the trip, students left not only with new knowledge but with a stronger sense of confidence, curiosity, and possibility.

Following the experience, Toberman expressed gratitude for the partnership.

“Thank you so much for providing the opportunity for our students to experience the Sanibel Sea School. It was extremely beneficial, and they all shared how much they enjoyed it. It was an awesome experience for students who would not otherwise have had it. I hope that we can continue to collaborate in the future and bring students for years to come,” said Toberman.

This field trip is a powerful example of what can happen when students are given the chance to explore, ask questions, and see themselves in new futures. Through partnerships like this, we’re not just teaching science; we’re helping students discover where it can take them.

Learn more about A Chance to Sea and support future field trips here: https://sanibelseaschool.org/a-chance-to-sea/