For over 20 years, SCCF and Sanibel Sea School have partnered with the Sanibel School to integrate environmental education within curricula for grades K-8. The collaboration is underway once again this school year.

Sanibel Sea School educators and/or SCCF Environmental Educator Richard Finkel will meet with each grade level twice throughout the year — one visit with a hands-on activity in the classroom that prepares students for a field excursion, and one outdoors around campus.

“With each grade level, we focus the content on one of SCCF’s program areas and introduce students to our mission,” said SCCF Youth Education Director Shannon Rivard. “The content was designed with science standards in mind.”

Projects include a squid dissection, a long-term mangrove project, and more. Two recent activities are highlighted below!

Nature’s Kaleidoscope

Led by SCCF Environmental Educator Richard Finkel, kindergartners used their senses and explored nature’s kaleidoscope of colors, shapes, sizes, and textures. Students enjoyed exploring and discovering the diversity of nature around the Sanibel School campus.

Middle School Mangrove Study Project

Guided by SCCF, middle school students recently initiated a year-long mangrove growth study project that will culminate with students planting mangroves at a SCCF habitat restoration site this coming spring. Finkel met with the students to discuss the importance of mangroves, back bay ecology, and SCCF’s Marine Laboratory and Coastal Watch departments. 

He challenged the students to experiment with growing red mangrove propagules in different conditions to try and determine their optimum growing environment. Their results could benefit SCCF’s restoration efforts!