Scouts + STEM for our Oceans!
Scouts on the Marine STEM adventure at Sea Base are helping to restore the third largest barrier reef system in the world! As part of a USA STEM Scouts programme to discover Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics in a fun and educational way, the Scouts are learning lab techniques that use innovative methods that accelerate corals’ growth and ocean scuba skills to replant the undersea reef.
Sea Base, a centre for Scouting and marine initiatives, built a land-based nursery in 2019 with 19 tanks to house several coral species, including endangered ones. Since 1980, about 90% of the coral reefs in the Florida Keys have died from warming temperatures, ocean acidification and diseases, some of which have killed coral colonies within weeks.
"We saw coral at different stages of life, moved the coral from tank to tank, and learned about a bunch of different species. It was pretty impressive."
Emma Miller (14), First Class Scout
To plant coral, Scouts on the Scuba Advanced Marine Exploration adventure scuba dive one to six miles offshore where lifeless coral skeletons litter the ocean floor. Sea Base staff guide the Scouts down into about 30 feet of water to an underwater nursery, where they help clean algae off coral trees. Then, Scouts help take corals from the nursery to the reefs, where they attach them using a marine epoxy. Coral reefs cover less than 1% of the ocean floor, but scientists estimate that nearly a quarter of ocean life relies on them for food and shelter.
"It’s so different than being in a pool or a lake. It’s so beautiful."
Celeste Blair (14), Eagle Scout
Scouts on the Marine STEM adventure conduct marine life surveys, go deep-sea fishing, tag sharks and dolphinfish, go kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding, clean up beaches, and build and race underwater rovers.
Sea Base is a unique Scouting programme offering ocean science and unique Scout programmes to 16,000 participants annually. Find out more www.bsaseabase.org
Story source, Scoutlife magazine, with thanks.
