Professor Andrea Grottoli led her Earth Sciences Oceanography class on their annual field trip to experience marine organisms firsthand, visiting both the Reef Systems Coral Farm and the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium. The excursion provided students with hands-on opportunities to connect classroom concepts with living marine systems.

At the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, the Advanced Oceanography class explored a diverse array of marine exhibits, including the coral display, manatees, penguins, polar bears, and sea lions. Students learned about the biology and behavior of these species while observing them in carefully maintained habitats.

The trip to the Reef Systems Coral Farm offered a unique behind-the-scenes look at marine animal husbandry. Students gained practical knowledge about coral care and propagation while getting the chance to interact directly with living marine invertebrates, including corals and sea urchins.

The annual field trip has become a highlight of the oceanography curriculum, giving students the opportunity to observe and touch marine organisms they typically only encounter in textbooks. From handling delicate corals to watching charismatic megafauna, the experience brought the diversity of ocean life into tangible focus.

The combination of zoo exhibits and working coral farm provided students with perspectives on both public education efforts and the technical expertise required for marine organism conservation and cultivation