Academic News

Exams are rapidly approaching with only a few days left for students to study and prepare. The last two weeks have been filled with the remaining lectures focusing on our second theme: the purpose, creation and management of Marine Protected Areas and their ecological and economic importance. The shift to dedicated research projects is just around the corner, and with the students having just finished their literature reviews, the Center is alive with excitement and anticipation. Data collection has begun already with several groups conducting preliminary forays out to their study areas – the seagrass beds, mangroves, and coral reefs in the vicinity of the Center. Some groups have practiced underwater transects, while others have been out following fish migrations or catching turtles or sharks and collecting valuable data. This work will be collated and may be used towards scientific publications and to advise the Department of Environmental and Coastal Resources to assist in the management of marine resources in the Turks and Caicos. The next few weeks will be busy collecting, compiling, and analyzing data for their final research report. Steve Newman Ph.D., Center Director

Student News

We had a fantastic Halloween party at the Center. Everyone got dressed up and participated in a game of Live Action Clue. Students were running all over trying to figure out who did it, where, and with what. The evening wound down while watching the Simpson's Tree House of Horror. Last Saturday we had our first swim class for kids. Ten children came and had a great time splashing around in the pool, coloring pictures, and playing catch. We've continued our beach clean-ups and the second round of beach litter analysis was completed last Friday. At both Shark Bay and East Bay we can see a noticeable difference in the trash on the beaches. Regular tutoring activities have continued at the Adventist Church. On Wednesdays and Sundays a group of students and staff go to teach English to a dedicated group of Haitians. This has proved to be rewarding for all involved. Almost every week we've celebrated a birthday and the cake crew has taken decorating to new levels. Elise, Elaine, and Sarah are amazing at creating edible pieces of fun artwork for all to enjoy. Kara Gober, Student Affairs Manager

Student Reflections

Time is always one of the most valued assets and our time here on South Caicos is rapidly nearing an end. Classes are coming to a close and research is on in full force. We learn more and more everyday regarding our specific research and the data is accumulating. My fascination with Aetobatus narinari (spotted eagle rays) continues and I cannot wait for every opportunity to catch a glimpse. Advanced Open Water class has just started and we are all open ears to our next deep water adventure. Soon we will be one step closer to a new certification, with the promise of greater sites to see. The amount of Sundays we have to explore is dwindling down and it is disheartening that our stay here on South is coming to a close. Adam Parnes, University of Connecticut

Work for our Directed Research projects has really picked up with literature reviews, project summaries, and various meetings to discuss procedure. My project will be focusing on lemon shark ecology and the role that habitat type may play in size and sex distribution of the species. I could not be more excited about everything that is to come. Today we will be venturing out in the field to see some of the locations from which we will be collecting our data. During data collection, we will be using gillnets to catch predominantly lemon sharks, although we may get the occasional rarer species. Who knows what could happen then. It is hard to imagine leaving South Caicos at this point. I don't know if I will able to adjust to doing homework staring at a white wall or shelves of books back at school as opposed to gazing at the turquoise expanse we have here. Family and friends are definitely missed, but South Caicos provides the tools, location, and education to open eyes to a truly unique experience. Eric MacMilllan, Willamette University 

We were eagerly greeted by mosquitoes and tremendous amounts of work once arriving back to South Caicos from our break. Everyone's heads have been buzzing while the Center has been filled with little clicking noises of keyboards. Classes concluded this past week with projects, papers, and exams remaining. No worries, we always take time out to have fun. Halloween served as a great reason to procrastinate and get a sugar high. Limited resources can certainly inspire creativity! There were sea creatures, Christmas trees, cross-dressers, and gum under shoes, among other things. In order to keep sanity, friends and I go on walks after dinner to just relax and giggle. We played the ‘haha' game one evening out on the regatta dock and saw the longest shooting star EVER! It was amazing and therapeutic to the soul. My advice to everyone is to take time out each day to laugh. It is the music of life! Ashley Campbell, Guilford College

Previous Page    Back to Turks and Caicos News Archive 2006    Next Page