About 95% of the ocean is undiscovered. However, Sage Creek students can be the ones to change that. From the marine science class to outside resources, there is an endless sea of opportunities offered for students. Let’s dive into how a solid marine biology foundation could be built.
At Legoland California, marine biologists care for sea creatures and share their passion with visitors. These scientists work with fish, corals and other marine organisms in a busy environment. They monitor water quality and feed the animals while keeping an eye on their health.
(Aliyah Acosta)
Jennifer Strunz, a Legoland aquarist who cleans tanks, scuba dives and has been doing veterinarian care for five years, believes that Marine biology brings something new each day. However, the occupation stage comes with time, after education and exposure are worked upon.
Strunz said, “You can work at colleges like UCSD as they offer a lot of labs, like at my college where we studied squid and their movements to design robots that move underwater using jet propulsion.”
Outside the classroom, many students can get involved in activities that support marine life. They volunteer at local aquariums, participate in beach cleanups and join community projects focused on sustainability. These experiences build confidence and show that caring for the ocean is a team effort.
Aquariums like the Seaworld Hubs Institute are great for building experience. “The program works on global projects and a local project to Carlsbad includes white bass hatcheries where fisheries raise white bass and release them back into the wild to help those populations,” said Strunz.
At Sage Creek High School, marine science teacher and founder, Courtney Goode sparks curiosity in her students. She teaches oceanography by starting with the basics of taking care of classroom fish tanks, teaching students to monitor pH levels, temperature, the nitrogen cycle and other tank conditions. This hands-on experience gives them a real taste of what it means to care for a living ecosystem.
“I love that I get students excited about something I’m excited about and I can educate them on all the threats to the ocean so they can grow up to do something about it,” said Goode.
As the school year progresses into the next trimester, lessons move beyond fish tanks to the study of marine organisms. Students discover how these organisms operate and gain hands-on experience dissecting as well. They learn that every creature plays a role in a much larger, interconnected system.
One student, Emma Collier, explains how the course changed their view of the ocean. “I like the Creature Features because you get to learn about sea creatures that you don’t hear about in daily life,” said Collier
The lessons learned in class extend into everyday life as students become more aware of environmental issues. They begin to see the effects of plastic waste, overfishing and climate change in everyday news and local water bodies. With each new fact they learn, they become more determined to help protect the planet.
This journey in marine science not only teaches facts but also builds character and responsibility. Students discover that caring for nature is about small acts that add up to big changes. They realize that the skills they develop now can help them tackle global challenges in the future.
The vast world beneath the waves is full of surprises and challenges waiting for new generations to stand up and create change.
