BAY SCIENCE & CULTURE EXPEDITION 2

What: The Bay Science and Culture Expedition introduces students to the ecology and culture of the Bay by getting them out on the water to collect aquatic and marine specimens. Students bring their collections back to a graduate-level research wet lab. Students also explore the history and culture of the region by interacting with locals and making a visit to the wonderful Barrier Islands Center. If the weather holds out for us, these understandings are augmented when we make the trip over to Smith Island with CBF. This expedition is when students begin practicing their skills in observation by visual journaling.

Who: Virginia Institute of Marine Science staff, the staff at the Barrier Islands Center, and Chesapeake Bay Foundation education staff. Where: The Eastern Shore of Virginia in Wachapreague, Pungoteague, and Machipongo and Smith Island, Maryland.

“This trip showed me just how rich in biodiversity we are. I had no idea that puffer fish and seahorses lived in the Chesapeake Bay. I also recognized how fast environments can change. One moment we were catching large flounder but then about two minutes in the other direction we were catching small silver sides, flounder, and hermit crabs.”

- Liam Dickey ’24