Taking oceanography is made that much more exciting when you get to see live marine organisms. Distinguished Professor Andréa Grottoli took her advanced oceanography class to the Reef Systems Coral Farm in New Albany, Ohio as well as to the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium to see living marine animals. At the Coral Farm, students were introduced to mariculture practices used in sustainably raising corals for the aquarium trade and learned about the business side of the operation with owner Todd Melmann. They also got a chance to hold living marine organisms, touch soft corals, and observe animal behavior. At the zoo and aquarium, students were introduced to sea lions, manatees, sting rays, sea turtles, corals and many, many fish and sharks. According to the students, the best part was touching the sting rays. The advanced oceanography course is a required course for the Marine Science Certificate in Earth Sciences, and an elective course in the Earth Sciences major program.

–Andréa Grottoli