School Programs at Our Center

Both public and private schools are served through our floating and land-based classrooms, including a newly constructed outdoor learning center Chiki hut alongside the Intracoastal. The programs are designed to meet the Sunshine State Standards Requirement in science education.

Interested schools should contact John Hargis at 561.338.1590 or click to send message.

Classes run October - May
Weekdays, 10:00 am - 1:00 pm

3rd Grade Experience: Exploring Coastal Animals and Plants

Our focus for this grade is to introduce to the students the importance of our coastal ecosystem and man's impact on this fragile environment.

Students get an opportuniy to go to Red Reef Park and explore the beach in search of "natural treasures." They may find anything from red mangrove seeds to hamburger beans, ark to oyster shells, or fragments of coral. The staff from Gumbo Limbo accompanies the class to the beach and aids in the identification and the interrelationship of these coastal life forms.

After eating lunch at the park's shaded picnic area, the students return to Gumbo Limbo Nature Center for a tour of the outdoor tanks and indoor nature center.

Grade Level Expectations:
Know the interrelationships in the local lagoon ecosystem and understand how to identify organisms based on structural and behavioral characteristics.


5th Grade experience: Life in the Hammock

Our focus for this grade level is to introduce the students to basic ecological concepts about life in the hammock. Students will learn the interactions between animals and plants in the forest ecosystem of a barrier island. Included in the 5th grade experience will be hiking on the boardwalk through the hardwood hammock, gathering data from their observations, and understanding why the forest is home to many forms of life. Students will also learn to use stereoscopes to view samples from the forest at different magnifications.

Grade Level Expectations:
Use magnifying tools to identify similar and different kinds of structures and understand the various roles of single-celled organisms in the food chain.


7th Grade Experience: Lagoon Life

Our focus for this grade level is to introduce students to the taxonomy of life and provide a unique hands-on experience in the study of marine animals. Through the use of stereoscopes and nets, students will gain a better understanding of the complexity of life that surrounds them. With the use of dip, cast and seine nets, students will enter the Intracoastal Waterway in search of life ranging from comb jellies to lagoon fish. At the tanks and in the lab, students will observe representative samples of major taxonomic groups.

Grade Level Expectations:
Know the interrelationships in the local lagoon ecosystem and understand how to identify organisms based on structural and behavioral characteristics.

Floating Classroom

Offered on Mondays only, October - April
Leaving from Delray Beach; boat provided by Delray Intracoastal Cruises
8:30 am - 11:30 am

Middle and High School Program

Activities:

Students will enjoy a narrative account of South Florida's marine inhabitants while cruising the calm waters of the Intracoastal Waterway.

Students will participate in a Plankton Tow and observe minute organisms with the aid of stereoscopes. Identification of plankton species will be recorded as well as behavior.

There will be a stop in the captain's wheelhouse and a discussion of various marine instruments used for navigation of large vessels.

Other lab stations include a weather data center for wind direction, wind speed and other variables.

A shark identification center, reef fish and invertebrate I.D. station and a Saltwater Fishing Regulations station will give students a brief summary of regulations that govern the taking of saltwater species of fish in Florida waters.

For more information contact John Hargis at 561.338.1590 or click to send message.