Young Explorers in Bonaire
Student reef surveys and underwater photography · 2016
In spring 2016, Dr. Mikki McComb-Kobza traveled to Bonaire with 13 Alexander Dawson School middle school students and two teachers from Colorado. In Bonaire National Marine Park, students practiced underwater photography and collected data on which reef fish they saw and how abundant they were.
Collecting data from shore dives
Most dives began at the shoreline. Students checked their dive buddies’ equipment before entering the water, then worked in teams to identify fish with waterproof guides and record sightings on underwater slates. They saw tarpon, eels, tangs, boxfish, porcupinefish and groupers, as well as sea turtles. In the evenings, they checked their identifications and entered observations into the REEF database.
Exploring a wreck and coral nurseries
On one dive from the resort dock, the group explored a wreck about 35 feet below the surface and watched fish move through it. They also visited coral nurseries, where volunteers were growing corals for reef restoration.
Sharing the work back at school
After returning to Colorado, the 13 students presented their findings and underwater photos to more than 100 classmates. They explained how they identified and recorded fish and why those observations matter.
Header photo from OFI’s original 2016 Bonaire expedition report.
Bonaire field photos
Photos from OFI’s Bonaire archive, taken in March 2016.