A Key West Tropical Forest & Botanical Garden Event
Science Exploration Camps
June 15-19, June 22-26
What: “Extreme Science Exploration Camp”
Why: Provides a field oriented hands-on exploration of science in the Florida Keys. If you enjoy being outdoors, exploring new places, this camp is for you!
Where: Key West Tropical Forest & Botanical Garden, 5210 College Road, (Stock Island) Key West, FL
When: 9:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. Mon.-Thur. 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. Friday
Who: 10-12 Middle school students (grades 6-8)
Payment of $120 is due before the first day of camp. Checks should be made payable to Key West Botanical Garden Education Program and mailed or delivered to: Key West Botanical Garden, 5210 College Rd., Key West, FL 33040. Or call 305-296-1504 with your credit card information.
Tentative schedule
Day 1) Water Garden Restoration Project, learn plant biology and environmental requirements, test soil chemistry and propose a design for a water garden for freshwater fish and aquatic turtles.
Day 2) Travel to Fort Zachary Taylor State Park, learn about the issues of invasive versus native species management; seine shallow sea grass beds for juvenile fish and invertebrates like lobsters and shrimp; examine special adaptations of these creatures that help them survive.
Day 3) Travel by boat to explore aquatic life in nearshore waters. Learn basic boat navigation skills while exploring shorelines and islands. Complete an environmental stewardship project at the Garden.
Day 4) Two-hour kayak trip through the mangroves, explore mangrove trees and the wildlife that are dependent on them. Return to Garden, finish the Water Garden Restoration Project that was started on Monday.
Day 5) 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. Slide show of the weeks activities, discuss fields and careers of botany, zoology, marine and other sciences. Make a goofy eco-t-shirt.
For more information please contact Victoria Mendizabal, Education Coordinator, at (305) 296-1504 or e-mail vmendizabal@kwbgs.org.