Last month, we welcomed thirteen high school seniors to the Island School campus as a part of our Senior Research Program—a hands-on, immersive experience in marine science and coral reef research.

For one week, these students, including Island School alumni, joined our team at the Cape Eleuthera Institute (CEI) to explore coral reef ecosystems and gain practical skills in scientific diving. This year’s program focused on teaching students how to conduct underwater research while contributing to real conservation efforts.

Students joined us from Morristown Beard School in Morristown, New Jersey; Brearley School in New York City, Milton Academy in Milton, Massachusetts; Severn School in Severna Park, Maryland; Community School in Ann Arbor, Michigan; Northwest School in Seattle, Washington; and McDonogh School in Owings Mills, Maryland. We were delighted to welcome a number of Island School alumni back for this program, including Olivia McNamara S24, Elliott Chapman F23, Edie Paterson ST24, Leo Demissieleo ST24, and Kinga Jung  ST24. 

Pre-Program Preparation

Prior to their arrival on Eleuthera, students completed online course work for their PADI scuba certifications and researched coral reefs and experimental design concepts so that they could dive right in (literally) to their research projects. 

When they arrived on campus, they completed confined and open water dives to complete their scuba certifications and earned additional specialized certifications such as PADI Reef Rescue Diver and PADI Project AWARE: Coral Reefs to expand upon their new diving skills. 

Diving Into Coral Research with the Cape Eleuthera Institute

Throughout the week, students worked closely with our coral scientists at CEI to learn about coral propagation and restoration. They visited our campus lab to see how our researchers grow corals in the lab before transferring them to nurseries and then transplanting them to coral reefs. They also had the opportunity to visit our coral nurseries during two of their open water dives and helped scientists clean the juvenile corals. 

The students learned how to collect data underwater using quadrats, transect lines, species ID slides, and dive slates. With their new research skills, students gathered data throughout the week to answer a scientific question. At the end of the program, they presented their findings to their peers and members of the Island School community. Topics included: the impact different parrotfish species have on coral health, soft coral substrate preferences, comparison of algal cover at two different reef sites of different depths, and how the distance from the pelagic zone drop-off affects coral health and growth. 

Alumni Reflection

After returning to campus for Senior Research Week, Fall 2023 Semester alumnae, Elliott Chapman, said, “I really believe that schooling should never interfere with your education. My time at Island School has taught me more than any classroom at home ever could—about myself, about the world, about how to live intentionally and with purpose. The people, the place, the challenges- it’s all shaped the person I’m becoming. Island School has given me a version of education that feels whole: one that’s grounded in curiosity, community, and care for the environment. I wouldn’t trade that for the world. No transcript or GPA could ever capture the growth I’ve experienced here, and Island School has been more valuable to me than any letter grade or transcript line. Thank you for continuing to welcome me back. It means more than I can say.”

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