Photo credit: Liz Griffith

Professors Jill Leonard-Pingel and Liz Griffith led 15 students on the Study Abroad program “Exploring the Natural History of The Bahamas” to the island of San Salvador during Spring Break in March this year. Students identified living and fossil coral, modern and ancient sand dunes, and the many ecosystems on the island. The human impact on these environments from its first inhabitants to present day was a focus of the class. Students in the Earth Sciences program share some of their favorite activities below. All students blogged while in the field: https://jleonardpingel.wixsite.com/earthsc5242sp24

Photo credit: Liz Griffith

“Our brief cleanup of East Beach was actually a very enjoyable stop for me. I got the satisfaction of cleaning up trash while also enjoying the beautiful sights and sound of the ocean. I managed to find a basketball that unfortunately could not be reinflated and an entire rain boot. Hopefully in my future I can find more opportunities for beach cleanup!”

-Lane Colton, Earth Sciences Major

Photo credit: Liz Griffith

“Participating in this study abroad trip I was able to apply the skills I have learned throughout my Earth science coursework and thesis research to a unique geologic environment and make friends with unique backgrounds, perspectives, and interests that I would not have met if I would have not taken this course!”

-Lucas Carter, Earth Sciences M.S. student

Photo credit: Emi Chongsiriwatana

“I loved being able to snorkel around a ship wreck. The wreck was brimming with life and it was awesome to see a piece of history not many people have been able to see.”

-Sara Bauer, Earth Sciences Major

Photo credit: Melody Green

Photo credit: Emi Chongsiriwatana

“I loved exploring the fossil coral reef because we got an up-close look at ancient corals from a time when sea level was higher. These fossils revealed a lot about coral reefs and allowed us to look into the history of San Salvador. There were also super cool tide pools at this stop!”

-Melody Green, Earth Sciences Major

[Note the image with the students includes Sara (second from the left) and Melody (fourth from the left) – it is on the same beach we did the clean up that Lane spoke about in his quote]

Photo credit: Liz Griffith

“One of my favorite parts of the trip was going to Lighthouse Cave. That was a once in a lifetime stop!”

-Emi Chongsiriwatana, Earth Sciences Major

Contributed by Professor Liz Griffith