The Gulf of Mexico offers endless opportunities for sun, sand and learning at the Dauphin Island Sea Lab.  Overnight adventures combine the beautiful setting of the beach and the scientific expertise of our award-winning educators.  Residential programs are available to everyone from fifth-graders to classroom teachers.

For more information on any of these programs, visit dhp.disl.org; e-mail sejohnson@disl.org; or call 251-861-2141 x7515.  Programs fill quickly, so make your reservations today.

Student Programs:

Barrier Island Explorer, for rising 5th - 6th grade students. Dates: July 24-27.
Go trawling aboard the Sea Lab's research vessel the Alabama Discovery, get wet at the beaches and marshes of Dauphin Island, learn first-hand what's in the water, build and fly your very own kite and participate in fun group activities.  This 3-night camp is limited to 15 participants.  Cost, including meals and housing: $360.

Gulf Island Journey, for rising 7th - 9th grade students. Dates: June 5-10; June 12-17; July 17-22.
Activities include a trawling expedition aboard the Sea Lab's research vessel Alabama Discovery; exploring the salt marshes of Dauphin Island; beach-combing and bird-watching on nearby Sand Island; setting up your own saltwater aquarium; and much more. Classes limited to 30 participants in this 5-night program. Cost, including meals and housing: $550.

High School Summer Course,for rising 10th - 12th grade students. Dates: June 19 - July 15. (Deadline for application: April 21, 2011)   
This intensive month-long program is an accredited course and is approved by the Alabama State Department of Education, which recommends that local systems grant participating students credit toward either an Advanced or Standard High School Diploma.  The high school summer course introduces the student to the marine environment through classroom lecture, laboratory and field activities, and includes an overnight snorkeling trip to St. Andrews State Park. Students live on campus and participate in over 150 hours of supervised academic activities.  Cost, including meals and housing: $2050.  Visit our website to check out scholarship availability.

Teacher Programs

Please note that all teacher programs are sponsored this year, meaning there is NO COST to the teacher except for a $50 registration fee, which is refundable upon participation. All workshop tuition, meals and housing are FREE. Graduate credit is also available upon request.

The Delta
Dates: June 5-9, 2011. Deadline for Registration: April 30, 2011 (Preference given to Gulf region teachers until this date.)
Funded by the Northern Gulf Institute.
Travel to and learn firsthand about the Mobile Delta's submerged grass beds, marshes, and cypress-gum swamps, rich with plant and animal life. Learn some of the human history of one of the most intact Delta systems in the US and visit Indian Mounds created centuries ago.  Discover resources and classroom ideas for teaching your students about the importance and biodiversity of the Mobile Delta.

Fins, Fishes and Fisheries
Dates: June 19-23, 2011. Deadline for Registration: April 30, 2011 (Preference given to Gulf region teachers until this date.)
Funded by the MS-AL Sea Grant Consortium.
The seafood business is a time-honored tradition with vital economic impact in our area, but how is it all handled? Come to the Dauphin Island Sea Lab and learn about fish biology, Gulf fishes and fisheries management. Learn about current fisheries research, use some of the gear scientists use to sample fish populations, visit local aquaculture facilities and experience firsthand some of the challenges of being a fisheries manager.

Reefs, Rhizomes and Restoration
Dates: July 10-14, 2011. Deadline for Registration: April 30, 2011 (Preference given to Gulf region teachers until this date.)
Funded by the MS-AL Sea Grant Consortium.
Come to Dauphin Island and learn about the importance of habitat restoration. Boat to local restored oyster reefs, snorkel through seagrass beds and visit salt marshes. Participate in a small restoration project.  Learn about the science of restoration ecology and discuss ideas and get resources to adapt the information to present in your classroom.

Marine Tech / OTTER (Oceanographic Technology Tools in Education and Research)
Dates: July 24-29, 2011. Deadline for Registration: April 30, 2011 (Preference given to Gulf region teachers until this date)
Funded by the Gulf of Mexico Alliance (GOMA)
Bring current research technology into your classroom through this exciting workshop. Learn how to build and operate a remotely operated vehicle (ROV), and explore the science behind handheld GPS. See first-hand electronic instruments used in oceanographic data collection, such as Hydrolabs, CTDs  side-scan sonar, and hydrophones and learn how to interpret your findings. Introduce your students to a classroom-friendly geographic information system, and use it for fun activities like tracking tagged wildlife.
The Dauphin Island Sea Lab also offers a variety of half and full-day programs, as well as guided programs at the Estuarium, our public aquarium.  Be sure to check out our website at www.disl.org.