Academic News
As we head into week four of the semester, it is hard to believe so much has already been accomplished. The students and faculty have been busy out in the field identifying seagrass, mangroves, and now reef fish. They have also conducted a survey to assess the conch populations both inside and outside the East Harbor Lobster and Conch Reserve, which will provide comprehensive information on distribution and abundance of queen conch (Strombus gigas). This data will provide a basis for coastal monitoring programs in the area.

We had the unique opportunity to attend a town meeting conducted by the Minister of Natural Resources and the DECR. This gave the local fishers the chance to voice their opinions on existing laws, issues facing the industry, and the state of the TCI fisheries. Along with that they have visited local fish processing plants to observe operations, as well as the developments on the island to assess and discuss the impending tourism on the island.

The students have been busy in the community as well, volunteering in the schools, attending youth fellowship meetings, playing on sport teams, as well as teaching English and swimming, just to name a few. But it's not all work here at CMRS, and the students have found time to step away from literature reviews, paper writing, and studying to watch the lunar eclipse, relax with a Rubik's Cube Dance Party, and participate in a limbo contest, which were much needed breaks in their busy schedules.
- Kate Buday, Student Affairs Manager

Student Reflections
Now that all of the students are settling in on the island nicely, the academics have really started to pick up! This past week we began data collection for our first field assignment in our Resource Management class. We went out into the field and surveyed specific locations both inside and outside of a Marine Protected Area to determine distribution of the queen conch. Monday and Tuesday our teams of five went to various predetermined sites and began our survey of the area. Our research was conducted by laying 30-meter transects down, and evaluating the number of conch 1.5-meters on either side. Each member of the team had a specific role within the group: one transect holder; one transect extender, who would measure out 30-meters in the water; one habitat identifier who would determine the habitat composition under the line every half meter; two conch finders that would dive down, grab the conch, and measure the siphonal length (shell length) and lip width of the shell. All of this work combined with strong currents and deeper depths made for exhausting days on the water. Now that our data collection is complete, all of the students are feverishly researching and writing our papers, due later this week.
- Joe McDonald, College of the Holy Cross

After our first few weeks on South, I am finally passing the “I can't believe I'm here!” phase and accepting the island as my new home for the next few months. It is still hard to believe that snorkeling trips are schoolwork, not play. It started to sink in as we began memorizing the scientific names of 50 species in the seagrass and mangrove habitats. Mnemonics like, “Syringodium filiforme sounds like ‘syringe, fill it for me,'” helped me remember the names.

On the day of our first exam, we piled into the boats with wetsuits, snorkeling gear, and underwater slates. As we moved through the shallows, our instructor pointed to 20 different species, and we madly jotted down names, hoping that our answers wouldn't smudge off in the water.

We have also been exploring the underwater realm on more leisurely snorkels. A visit to “Shark Alley” provided some of us with our first dive and others with a stunning snorkel. I was surprised that I didn't feel nervous as I peered down at a nurse shark under a ledge and watched as a small reef shark swam by. We also went on our first night snorkel and saw the difference in reef life between night and day. Slipper, spiny, and spotted lobsters dotted the bottom, while the brightly colored reef fish we have seen during the day tucked themselves away in the crevices of the reef. We also caught a glimpse of a hawksbill and a green turtle.
- Spring Beckhorn, Dickinson College

While the majority of our days on South Caicos are spent snorkeling or in classes, Wednesdays and Saturdays are reserved for something special: community outreach. On our first Wednesday trip to the primary school, the students saw us coming into the schoolyard and ran from the steps, screaming with delight, to throw their arms around us and befriend us instantly. Although I was worried at first that our presence would be a distraction, it turns out that they love to show off for us. I was given an ABCs concert by the kindergarteners and then—as a play break—a demonstration of their make-believe cooking prowess.

This Saturday I taught swimming, practicing strokes and playing “Sharks and Minnows,” which I haven't played since I was first learning how to swim. I also worked with one of the younger children, at first keeping her afloat and finally convincing her to do a bit of paddling with just a bit of support. She and her mother were thrilled. I've had a lot of fun with our outreach and I'm looking forward to further chances to interact not only with the children but also with the adult members of the community.
- Lisa Harn, Kenyon College

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