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About The Marine Science Station
Mission
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The mission of the MSS is to increase student
environmental literacy through hands-on laboratory
and field-based educational experiences in Gulf of
Mexico coastal and nearshore habitats; to inspire
student interest and involvement in environmental
conservation and protection; and to promote student
development of environmental stewardship ethics.
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Education
All field trips from the MSS correlate to the specific educational requirements for
each visiting group. All MSS field trips, lesson plans, and experiential activities are
correlated with the Florida Next Generation Sunshine State Standards as well as
the Ocean Literacy Principles set forth by the Ocean Literacy Network and NOAA
Education Plan Goals and Outcomes.
The field excursions and experiential activities focus on basic ecological principles,
ecosystem interrelationships, environmental health bioindicators, and human
impacts at the local, regional, and global level. Special emphasis is directed
towards instilling in visiting groups a higher level of scientific literacy and an
environmental stewardship ethic that can be spread to the their communities. |
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Facilities
- Rustic campus nestled within a 15-acre coastal hammock and saltmarsh habitat alongside the Salt River, an estuarine river system connected to the spring-fed Crystal River and the nearshore marine environments of the Gulf of Mexico.
- Two bunk-style dormitories that accommodate 32 people each.
- Dining hall with full kitchen and BBQ grill.
- Recreational areas including basketball and beach volleyball.
- Wet lab classroom with aquaria.
- Dry lab classroom with computers and wireless internet.
- Environmental Education Center & Aquarium with museum-quality interactive exhibits, aquaria, and touchtank.
- 60’ Observation tower overlooking the estuary & Gulf of Mexico
- Waterfront, gazebo-style, outdoor classrooms.
- Shoreline fishing areas.
- Canoe launch and canoes.
- Four powerboats that accommodate up to 15 people each for extended field trips into freshwater, estuarine, and marine habitats.
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