Final Reflection ~Domonique

I am currently sitting at an airport on a layover desperately attempting to pull some words together to describe this course and I am failing miserably. The past five weeks have been an absolute blur. I feel like I was caught in a tornado of YSI instruments, scientific names, boats, excel spreadsheets, seagrass, hydras, and snorkel gear, though rescued may not be the correct word, but I would give anything to jump back in. 

I have learned more about a career as a marine biologist in these past 5 weeks than in any class I have taken. Everything was hands on which allowed us to gain experience in techniques we normally would never see unless training for a job. My peers and I have been discussing how wonderful our resumes are going to look after we update them! I firmly believe that this course will give me a competitive edge when applying for future jobs and programs.

I would like to thank all of our mentors throughout the trip. At each location you made us feel welcome while challenging us both mentally and physically. It was clear that each professor was passionate about their topic and perhaps inspired us to follow that course. I on the other hand am still partial to cephalopods, however I am now even more adamant about going on a research cruise in the future.

Finally, I would like to thank my fellow peers. Five weeks of intense interaction is a true test of characters and everyone was so wonderful! I will always treasure our adventures and amazing road trips. I can’t wait to see where everyone ends up and I hope to visit you when I return from the Emerald Ilse. 

This is the End (but not the last of the hydrozoans...)- Mike Kratz

Fun Fact: Did You Know I Like Birds?

        5 weeks, 35 days, 840 hours, or 50,400 minutes.  All these describe how long this course took place, but the wonderful experience I had will affect me for the rest of my life.  I met some of the most genuine and down to Earth people throughout this class and I hope to always have fond memories of the times we had together.  I know my classmates will accomplish great things, both in the field of science along with their personal lives.  I cared about all of them, even if I'm not the best at showing it (duh), and wish the best to them in their future endeavors. 

Barbara, the legend, showing us how to use a water sampling device

        This class taught me so much about what it takes to be a scientist: the determination, the endurance, the patience, and the skill it takes to work in the field.  I really narrowed down what I would like to do in the future including possible graduate programs that would suit me.  Even though I do love the ocean, I found out I might be more interested in studying terrestrial organisms which is a big turning point in my career since I am currently majoring in Marine Science.  I was also able to talk and branch out to a variety of professors during the course which will help me out in the future if I need advice on how to continue on to graduate school. 

A wild Denny striking a pose on his favorite day of the trip (heavy sarcasm here).

        This past week we spent a lot of time on land going through forests, looking at creek beds, and taking shallow water samples which was very exciting for me (even if it wasn't everybody's cup of tea since it is a "Marine Field Studies" course).  UWF was a beautiful school which had a variety of very knowledgeable and specialized professors, it was probably my favorite school of the whole trip.  The only complaint I have is with the amount of time we had for the final project since it was only two days to analyze data, create graphs, run stats tests, prove or disprove hypotheses, and to make a nice presentation of it all.  I know how to come in clutch last minute (especially since I am writing this blog post at 10:40 at night after driving 14 hours to get to Pennsylvania), but this was a lot to put on students who had spent the past 4 weeks doing nonstop field work and being annihilated by hydrozoans (except me since hydrozoans don't like redheads).  Either way it's done with now and one positive is that it helped us build character and will make data analysis later in our careers slightly less stressful.

The wombo-combo of Bekka and Brook back at it again (UWF Represent!)

        I am so happy I was given the opportunity to partake in this course and will forever treasure all of the people I met and the experiences I had.  Thank you to all of the professors that put up with our shenanigans and that gave me one of the most influential experiences of my life! 

Marine Field Studies Class of 2019

A Giant Chicken (Ardea herodias).

The Bittersweet Farewell By: Dana Dragon

The Bittersweet Farewell

By: Dana Dragon

(late posting due to power outage… gotta love Florida summers haha)

To properly begin this final blog post, you should know this is the product of 6 drafts. I know…  yikes! None of the previous weeks had ever been difficult to write for, but this week was different. This week I was at a loss for words because there was too much to be said for all this course has done for me! It not only opened my eyes to the vast possibilities that lie within the field of marine science, but it showed me what it looks like to live out your passions and make a difference in the world! Little did I know truly just how impactful this course was going to be! I have learned more not only about the ocean but about myself than I ever have before! This course stretched me past my limits through long days working in the field, to learning how to use all the pieces of equipment and not to mention being mentally flooded with an incredible wealth of knowledge from the instructors and my fellow nerds.

Snorkeling in the Keys

As quickly as this adventure began 5 weeks ago, it ended just like that! From day one, 16 bright-minded and eager strangers were introduced to one another and little did we know the incredible adventure we were about to embark on! But after spending 5 weeks working until you can’t anymore and then working even more, to living in such close quarters you could hear the other person breathing and last but not least cooking meals for the whole group praying you wouldn’t give anyone food poisoning... we have all become better people and scientists because of these experiences! We all had to learn how to work well with one another and when tensions arose, learn how to resolve them and continue to work in a professional manner. I am incredibly thankful for each and every one of you and for what you taught me along the way! Thank you :)

Group picture at Windley Key

I would also like to give a special thanks to ALL of the professors who took a week of their time, or even a day, to spend it with our group teaching us what they are passionate about! Your time, patience, and efforts were appreciated and you are what made this course a once in a lifetime experience! Before, I thought I knew about Florida's coastal ecosystems, but you all showed us first hand truly how diverse they can be! Now I have greater respect and understanding for the ocean as well as how much humans are impacting them. Also thank you to our GA, Amanda, who spent the most time with our group than anyone else did! She did so much work behind the scenes to make this trip run as smoothly as it did that we could not have done it without her! We will make you all proud in our future endeavors whether in academia, research, government agencies, or public education! Thank you again, for everything!!

Dr. Judkins and myself with the CTD and Niskin bottles 

Last, but certainly not least, thank you to the Florida Institute of Oceanography for creating and funding this course! There is truly no other course like this and I am overflowing with gratitude that I had the opportunity to be apart of it. I chose to spend 5 weeks of my summer participating in this course because I wanted to gain more experience and hopefully better determine what I want to do in life. And oh boy did I gain experience!!! I was able to do things I have never been able before like operate an ROV, perform shark surveys, filter for microplastics, tour the EPA, and be interviewed by the local news! Although I am still unsure of what career path I want to pursue, the experiences from this course have helped me to narrow it. And that’s what life is about… you learn something new every day and there is always a place in your life in which it can be applied!

My advice to future students would be to not hesitate in registering for this course, because it will be the best decision you ever make! Don't be led astray though, we worked our butts off every single day... but the rewards, in the end, made it all worth it! Also, take it from an incredibly pale person... wear sunscreen and SPF clothing... seriously haha!

In Conclusion - Brook Olin

This last week was very emotional for everyone. For the past 5.5 weeks, I have met some of the most incredible people. The professors I sat under, the boat captains and crew who was patient with me, and of course: my fellow adventurers! It was strange this morning waking up with no itinerary for the day. I had no samples to collect, no backpack to shove supplies in, and no Chacos to tighten! I came into this class with an open mind, I was not sure what to expect. I did not expect to learn, grow, and sweat as much as I did (seriously, I did not think my body could sweat THAT much). As I reflect into the last five weeks, I realize how amazing the world of marine science is. I know what makes me passionate and the field I wish to pursue, but I now understand others passion. I see why taking geological core samples is exciting. I know the patience behind surveying shoreline birds. And I certainly know the time taken into open ocean research. I loved every specialization thrown our way purely because of the passion within our instructors. 

This past week at UWF posed its own challenges and rewards. Firstly, the stress of our final projects followed us to every field site. I could not relax without thinking of possible hypotheses to prepare. Secondly, we dived deeper into our understanding of watersheds. It was particularly interesting for me because I call Pensacola home. I found myself intentionally looking at my surroundings. Olive Road was not just a road I drove past to school, it was a thriving ecosystem with depth that I had never considered. That in itself is a reason why this course was so amazing: it took us to our home universities and said, “Look beyond what you think you know and immerse yourself in new discoveries.” 

This course could not be what it was without my amazing peers. For five weeks, we stayed in tight quarters with one another and naturally became as close as the bunk beds at FGCU. Each person brought their own dynamic to the group that allowed for a reliable and safe environment. Being a social butterfly myself, I loved watching friendships blossom. It was the most wholesome experience having to cook and clean our meals. As Georgia mentioned, although we had separate rooms some days, our group sought one another after class hours. I will forever be grateful for the wonderful students involved. You all have taught me so much! I wish I could spend more time with all of you. I know the last day was hard, nearly bringing me to tears, but I genuinely love each and every one. I cannot wait to see your names on publications changing the world for the better! 

To the OCB 3108 student reading this, I have some advice: Wear sunscreen!! These tan lines will scar me for life! More seriously though, do not expect a vacation. You will sweat, bleed (hopefully not), and tired. It’s hard work but you will forever be grateful. You will want to stop to rest but your peers will push you to be strong. You will meet some amazing people and I hope you hold nothing back. I hope you take a lot of pictures! 

A HUGE thank you to all the faculty at UNF, KML, FGCU, USFSP, and UWF. Without your passion, leadership, and willingness to guide us these five weeks, we would be stuck in regular lectures hearing stories of scientists whose lives we could only imagine. I cannot fathom the effort it took to make this course possible but you are appreciated. 

Thank you to all the staff, captains, cooks, and officials who took time out of their schedules to guide us into the fields of marine research! 

Thank you Florida Institute of Oceanography for providing the scholarships and housing! This course has been the best thing I have done. I hope you continue this class for many years, it will benefit countless lives. You made 16 more lives passionate about ocean science and lit fires beneath all of us. 

Thank you to everyone who funded my trip! I wouldn’t be here without you. You helped me grow beyond expectations and I hope I can make you proud! 

Week 5: Thanks For the Memories - Elizabeth Vazquez

The past five weeks have been an unforgettable experience. We've all made new friends and bonded with people we might have otherwise never met if it weren't for our passion of marine biology and subsequently this course. We were challenged both physically and mentally every week of this trip, some weeks more than others, but every week had something valuable to offer.

Week one at UNF was the perfect start to this course. It put us in the field right away and while I didn't enjoy every single activity (i.e trudging through the mud on mangrove day), I did truly love getting to experience tagging sharks, taking water quality measurements from a boat, surveying for alligators at night, and touring the beaches of my hometown. Dr. Smith was and is amazing, and is truly one of my favorite professors at UNF by far.

Week two was the most physically challenging week of all. We spent it at the Keys Marine Lab. We snorkeled A LOT. Every day, 2-3 times a day for 4 days straight, they threw us in the ocean to look at various coral, seagrass beds, and fish species. Seeing the animals up close was for sure one of the highlights of the trip, but doing it as often and as intensely as we did took a toll on our bodies. That being said, nothing beats watching the sun rise and set over Florida Bay from the balcony of our apartment at KML, watching a nurse shark swim by you, or seeing the sunlight reflect off the vibrant scales of a parrotfish as it feeds from the reef.

Week three at Vester had its pros and cons. Pros: I got to share a room with Dom and Abby who are the best roommates I could ask for. Even though our toilet didn't work and everyone stole dishes from our kitchen when it was time to cook dinner, we had a lot of fun. Cons: Oyster beds hurt, filamentous algae is gross, and I like birds but not enough to sit there and count them for an hour. Black skimmers counted: 35 (inside joke).

Week four was USFSP week with Dr. Judkins. The highlight of the week was of course going on the Weatherbird II. The views from the top deck as we sailed into the gulf were beautiful. We saw dolphins and sea turtles out in the open ocean, which to me never gets old. The real work didn't truly start until about 3PM. Taking all those samples and sorting and identifying all the fish and inverts was super hectic but it was an incredible experience to get to be on a real research vessel doing real scientific work and seeing what it's like to do it for a living. Also, Dr. Judkins is one of the best professors ever. Kind of like Dr. Smith, she knows exactly what she's talking about and she wants to make sure you also know what you're talking about. She cares about you learning as much as you can.

Which brings us to this week - week five: the final stop at UWF. This was the week we took all the water quality data we've been collecting over the semester and compiling it into final presentations. Monday through Wednesday were dedicated to field trips and collecting water quality samples from all over Pensacola Bay. We took more samples this week than we had at any other location. Thursday was dedicated to analyzing data and creating our projects and Friday was for final touches and presentation day. If I had to change something about this week for future classes it would be to cut one of the field days from this week to dedicate to working on the projects. Some groups were still getting their final data Friday morning and the short notice affected the quality of their presentations. Overall tough, everyone's project came out great and the presentations were outstanding.

After presentations were over, it was time to day goodbye to the professors and the friends we made. Saying goodbye was like camp. Five week ago, we were all strangers. By the end of this course friendships were fostered that I hope last until long after this course is over. It was truly an experience that I am grateful for and will never forget.

The Final Chapter- Georgia Lombardy

Yesterday was the last day of the Marine Field Studies FIO course of 2019. As excited as I was to go home and sleep in my own bed, I am definitely having withdrawals. From not adventuring out into the field everyday to not being surrounded by the most amazing people 24/7, I definitely feel like a piece of me is missing and it is going to take some readjusting. This course has brought me more than I could have ever asked or imagined. I have learned copious amounts of knowledge from all of the 14 different professors we had the privilege of working with one on one. Even though I already knew what career path I wanted to take, there were some moments I thought about venturing into something else because there were so many different topics and field skills thrown at us and so many peaked my interest.

Identifying shells on the Weatherbird II

After working in the field for 7 or more hours a day, it is really easy to want to go seclude yourself in your room and rest. At some sites this was not an option, so naturally we all grew super close and became one big family. I clearly noticed this on our last two weeks when we all had individual rooms but would still end up spending all of our time together in the common rooms instead. From cooking and sharing meals together to getting stung by hydrozoans together, we all bonded instantly in ways I'm sure most of us didn't even know was possible. I am forever grateful for this group of people I was so lucky to spend the last five weeks with. 

Beaches day at UNF

I would like to thank the Florida Institute of Oceanography for allowing such an amazing course like this to take place. I am a graduating senior and this was the last course I needed to graduate, and I can easily say this was the most beneficial course of my college career. I have learned more in the past 5 weeks than I ever could have in one whole semester. This class combines so many different ecosystems to allow for a class that basically covers all science subjects and courses in one. Taking this course after all of my other required marine biology courses was a great way for me to observe and experience everything I have learned first hand. I am forever grateful that we as students have the opportunity to travel around a state that is so diverse in its environment. Some may not see the importance in learning about the marine environment of this beautiful state, but educating those eager to learn will only benefit our environment and planet in the long run. And it is safe to say that every student that walks out of this course has this new and appreciative outlook on the environment.

Snorkeling the Keys

Thank you all for the best summer course. I wish all of you wonderful future scientists a successful career, your biggest cheer team is right here :)

Goodbye and Thanks FIO Field Studies--Jess Schmidt

Our final week of marine field studies has come to an end at UWF. The time has flown by, and the experiences will always be remembered.

 For our final week, we were able to gain an understanding of how freshwater and estuarine rivers and creeks from forested to urban areas come together to affect our offshore waters. We took a fun trip to visit the EPA and got to see the different experiments they were working on. UWF also threw us all an amazing shrimp boil; the first I have ever had the pleasure of experiencing and tasting. I was thrilled we got to see turtle grass (Thalassia testudinum) flowering during our time snorkeling. We finished our projects that we have been working on since week one and presented them at the UWF symposium. I was impressed by all of my fellow students work. I am extremely grateful for Dr. Judkins preparing us last week with our less formal presentations. All of our presenting skills were greatly improved just in time for the symposium.

I am so thankful to FIO for allowing this program to happen. I am also grateful to all of the professors and Barbara for sharing their knowledge and experience with us. I never expected to learn as much as I have or gain experience using so many different types of scientific equipment. This was the last course needed for my degree and I am so glad that I chose to be a part of it. It has tied together so many subjects for me. I have gained a better understanding of all my previous biology, chemistry and physics courses, and I even understand what calculus can be used for now. It has given me a broader understanding of the jobs I can get with my degree, and has allowed me to better understand my own personal strengths and weaknesses.

We began as Dr. Smith's "little ducklings" and have been fine tuned with the help of all the other professors and wonderful people we have met, into educated stewards of Florida's ecosystems and organisms. I only hope that this program can remain for many, many years into the future for other students to be able to experience. Our future needs more people educated in this manner; for the health of our waters, our lands, our critter friends and ultimately all of us.