Friday - Sunday, April 13-15, 2012
Science Adventurer Club members joined the Clearwater campus Science Department on a 3 day, 2 night Florida Keys trip. Twenty-two SPC students and four faculty/staff members ventured south stopping at Mote Marine Aquarium, Amoray Dive Resort, Snorkeling/Diving/Kayaking at John Pennekamp State Park, trail walking in the Everglades National Park, and checking out the alligator farm and air boat ride!
What happens in the Keys stays in the Keys! Here is a snippet of the activities. To see more released photos and video footage check us out on facebook!
Fridays stop at Mote gave the group the opportunity to explore the secrets of the sea through touch pools, viewable-working labs and high-tech interactive exhibits that showcase the world-renowned research of Mote Marine Laboratory. They saw sharks, dolphins, manatees and sea turtles, along with more than 100 other species of marine life.
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Saturday, March 31, 2012
Have you ever wondered what was out in the ocean lurking in the sea grass along the shore? Well, six students and three knowledgable members of the Science Adventurers Club took a trip to Fred Howard Park and seine fished along the shore collecting a variety of marine species.
Gathering a crowd of onlookers of various ages the SPC students were able to catch and identify the following and share the information: lots of pinfish various sizes, one filefish, three pipefish related to sea horse, several needlefish various sizes, pufferfish various sizes, 2 different sponges, several sea horses, lots of turtle grass, manatee grass, and more. Details of species found below.
"Warning science ahead!"
Images & video footage below as well.
Click Read more --->
Saturday, March 24, 2012
Students from SPC and members for the Science Adventurers Club and Mr. Opper, SAC Advisor, embarked on a day trip to Gainesville to explore Florida's History. They visited O'leno State Park, Devil's Millhopper State Geological State Park, Florida Museum of Natural History, and Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park.
Leaving from the Natural Science parking lotProceed east on U.S. 60 to I-75 north to Gainesville. Stopping at O'leno State Park to walk 3/4 of a mile through the tree cover observing the disappearing river that literally disappeared underground! Then headed over to visit Devil's Millhopper State Geological Park. After a nice stroll down 170 steps surrounded by lush foliage, the sounds of nature, and smell of fresh air, everyone peered into the sinkhole and admired the geological processes involved of its creation. As easy as it was to walk down 170 steps, it seemed like a breeze to just run back yup! Nope where they wrong and sure got the workout of a lifetime building up a great apatite in the process.
Click "Read More" to see more of the amazing experience!
The Summer semester is right around the corner!
New activities need to be planned and we want your input! Below is a poll just for that.
Listed are the activities discussed in previous meetings. Check the ones you are most interested in doing during the summer semester and the most picked will be evaluated!
What is better than digging in your back yard? How about digging at Rucks' Pit excavating for Calcite Crystal fossilized marine Clams.
"The sand and shell matrix rock is in the Nashua Formation (Pleistocene) and is composed of well-calcified shells. Any cavities within these fossils may contain calcite crystals. Honey colored calcite crystals up to 1" in length can be found within large fossilized clamshells. Small calcite crystals within shells are very common." - Rucks' Pit website"SPC students and the Science Adventurers Club on a fossil dig. The object of our intense concentration you see here, are fossilized marine clams that were buried and then fossilized during a sea level drop. The calcium partially dissolves during ground water seepage and re-crystalizes with other minerals as calcite crystals that form in any empty spaces. Thus the clams are full of shiny, beautiful amber colored crystals. There is only one place where the public can dig, and these fossils are unique to Florida. Dig we did! At the end of a dirty day we were tired, but everyone found at least a few keepers, and some brought home one or two 5-gallon buckets-full! Here we all are tunneling our way through the 1-4 million year old deposits to find our treasures." - Dr. Monica Lara
See more images here:
Clam Dig Spring 2012
Did you miss out on attending the Peace River Camping and Kayaking trip? Take a look at some of the images and footage from another fantastic adventure!
Spring 2012 Peace RiverAll the students had a wonderful time learning about many geological/stream processes, experiencing camping primitively, fossil collecting, and star gazing.
Meetings for February and March have been posted on our calendar take a look!
Join us as we plan awesome activities branching many of the science fields!
You sure will not want to miss out! See you then!
Last days to signup for the Clam Excavation Dig
When: Tuesday, February 14
Time: 12:30pm
Where: Clearwater Campus NM Room 161
When: Wednesday, February 15
Time: 5:00pm
Where: Clearwater Campus NM Room 226
Details: Members to be determined as active must attend either of the following once a month
- SAC Meeting
- Seminar and send us one paragraph report to be presented at next meeting or at SGA
- Volunteer at SAC activity or other Club activity
- Active members receive club t-shirt
- Returning members get discount on trips.
- Officers attend trips for free.
Voted all members present approved: Wednesday, Feb. 8th, 2012
