Youth Program FAQs
Structure
At Isla Mar, our mission is to cultivate the future generation of scientists, beginning with our youth. We are committed to providing highly engaging and diverse learning opportunities that nurture a passion for science and foster critical and creative thinking. We are honored to have the privilege of educating your children and value the trust you place in our program and our team.
What distinguishes teaching youth about marine biology from teaching adults and young adults?
Our top priorities are to create an environment where there is a joy for learning and constant encouragement of curiosity. Teaching scientific principles to younger children requires awareness of their current skill sets and ability to absorb more complex topics while finding creative ways to make these topics digestible for younger minds. The kids end up having so much fun that they often forget they are learning!
How do you ensure a safe and inclusive learning environment for all students, considering diverse backgrounds and abilities?
We consciously keep our class sizes small with a student-teacher ratio of less than 10:1 so the students receive high quality education and attention. This also allows the opportunity to truly assess our students' abilities and tweak the class and activities to their individual needs.
How do you balance structured learning activities with free exploration and discovery time for scientists-in-training?
One of the reasons for the two hour class structure is to allow plenty of time for both focused learning and free exploration. Every class incorporates elements of play, creativity, learning by doing, and interaction with nature while practicing reading, writing and listening skills. Based on the classes' energy each day, the length and type of activities vary to create a unique learning environment.
Why should I choose your educational program?
We know that quality education is a value to many parents, but living on a island - especially outside of the metro area - may limit our access to some types and styles of education that are desired. However, island living also fosters an appreciation for nature that encourages students to explore the world around them. Considering both of these aspects, Isla Mar has strived to provide complementary education to traditional learning to meet the needs of our island-loving youth.
Six-Week Course
Our Ocean Classes are offered four times a year. These 6-week sessions are geared towards more specialized and in-depth focus on a particular ocean topic.
How do you decide on topics for each six-week session?
The topics are chosen based on several factors: the interests of the students, the availability and creation of quality curriculum that incorporates hands-on and creativity-based learning, and the incorporation of age-related exposure to the major disciplines of marine science (biological, chemical, physical, and geological).
How is each six-week session different? Will any of the course themes be repeated?
Every class is unique and filled with fun! The students learn through creative, hands-on activities including scavenger hunts, painting, reading, experiments, drawing, exploring nature, modeling clay creations, acting, dissections, games, watching educational videos, coloring, and lots of laughter. Each 6-week session explores a different ocean topic such as Fish Biology and Ecology, Coral Reefs, Marine Critters, Charismatic Megafauna, Ridges to Reefs, Island Conservation and more. No course is exactly the same, but some topics will be offered every year as requested by the students. This ensures that students can continue to participate throughout their age range and still encounter new and exciting material.
When are these classes usually offered and do students have to participate in the entire 6-weeks?
Classes are on weekday afternoons from 3:30-5:30pm, once a week per age group (7-9 year olds and 10-12 year olds). So, a typical week could look like Tuesdays for the younger students and Thursdays for the older students. Students are expected to participate in the entire 6-week session and drop-ins are not allowed. The program is structured this way because our curriculum is designed to build on the prior weeks' objectives and topics, and it encourages group learning and interactions while creating a positive class dynamic when the students engage with the same group each week.
How will the bilingual classes be structured?
Ocean Classes will be taught in both Spanish and English. As we incorporate this addition to the program, the class structure will include both languages at once, but eventually, we will have separate classes for each language and/or more-than-one bilingual class. To offer English-dominant, Bilingual or Spanish-dominant classes will depend on the demand for that class structure during each particular 6-week session.
Who can be expected as guest lecturers and visitors to the classes? Why is this important to incorporate this engagement?
The students have enjoyed in-person and virtual visits from local university undergraduate and graduate students and other scientific professionals, including those from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Florida Fish and Wildlife Research Institute, and of course, the founders of Isla Mar Research Expeditions - Drs. Evan and Chelsea Tuohy. It is a priority that our students are exposed to a variety of scientists from many walks of life with different specializations and experience - and who are all passionate about our ocean and its protection.
How much are the classes?
Each class is $30, for a total of $180 for the entire 6-week session. We do offer sibling discounts and financial assistance.
What is the purpose of the scholarship/financial assistance?
The Youth Education Scholarships will be available to any student interested in participating in one of our 6-week programs who might need financial support for enrollment cost. In addition to the sibling discounts that we currently offer, it is very important to Isla Mar that we help remove any possible limitations to a student's involvement in our programs. The scholarships could be full or partial assistance, depending on the number of donations received to the program and the number of students requesting assistance. Parents will be able to indicate the request for assistance on the course registration form. We are grateful to our local businesses and residents who are actively contributing to this scholarship fund.
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Junior Naturalist
Our hands-on program offered to 13-17 year old students that provides an opportunity to learn through immersion in nature's classroom.
What is the Junior Naturalist program and its goals?
The students will use their environmental knowledge while exploring the different ecosystems in western Puerto Rico through hiking, sensory activities, observation skills, journaling, and art. The goal of the program is to foster the ability to observe nature around us and be mindful of our interactions with it.
What can my child expect to experience?
Students will meet a particular scientific professional, active in their field of expertise, who will guide them through an interactive walk through a particular ecosystem or site. In the two hour session, they will explore a marine or terrestrial system, taking notes and sketches along the way, learning about the interconnectedness of nature. This program is not designed to be repeated again by the same students as most course material will remain the same to provide the same structure and foundational basics learned by all attendees.
When do classes occur and what locations are visited?
Starting in September 2024, classes occur twice a month on Saturday mornings for two hours. The program will be a total of 6 sessions spanning three months. Locations will be within short driving distance of our office facility in Rincon. We will visit tidepools, coral reefs, wetlands, beaches, karst formations and jungles.
Does a parent need to be present?
No, parents should not be present so as not to disrupt the learning environment and to allow students to engage with each other and the expert leaders of each session.
What can my child do with this knowledge after the program?
In the future, our naturalists-in-training will have the opportunity to become part of Isla Mar's Junior Citizen Scientist Program.
How much are the classes?
Each class is $40, for a total of $240 for the entire session. We do offer sibling discounts. Students are expected to participate in all sessions to receive their certificate of completion and be eligible for the Junior Citizen Science program.
Monthly Class
Our weekend classes are interactive and designed for our community's younger children, ages 5-7.
What will my child experience at this class?
This bilingual class meets once monthly, on the second Sunday of the month. Students will be immersed in a hands-on learning environment, using arts and creativity, playing games and activating sensory systems through auditory and visual stimulation. This class also primes the students to advance into our six-week course when age appropriate.
What topics are covered?
We explore different ocean topics such as coral reefs and all their critters, charismatic megafauna, ocean circulation and more. No class is exactly the same, but some topics will be offered every year.
Does a parent need to be present?
Parents should remain in the area, but should not be active in the learning. This allows your child to participate to the fullest and engage with the other students and teachers.
How much are the classes?
Classes will be offered on a sliding scale of $10-$15 where you pay what you can within that range.