Florida Tech Hosts Land-locked Youths for “Hands-On” Marine Biology

– On March 23, Florida Tech’s Department of Marine and Environmental Systems (DMES) will host 50
high school students from a magnet school program in Ames, Iowa, that focuses on marine systems. The visit concludes the students’ two-week field trip to
experience natural Florida environments. This marks the third year Florida Tech has hosted students from this school.

“They’re back because they appreciate the job we have done the last two years and we’re glad to have them back,” said Dr. Elizabeth Irlandi, assistant
professor of oceanography and program coordinator. The students will experience beach and lagoon studies at Sebastian Inlet, led by Irlandi and other DMES
faculty and graduate students.

They’ll study beach erosion, water quality, and look at the effects wind and vegetation have on beach stability. The students will camp out at Long Point.