On June 10th, seven Chamberlain students and three staff set forth on the trip of a lifetime to the island of Bermuda. The group included Whitney G., Rob G., Peter F., Allegra R., Jen R. and Matt V. for students. The students were chaperoned by Chamberlain staff members, Michelle Hunt, Scott Davignon and Barit White, R.N.. Everyone had high hopes of seeing exotic sea life and learning about their habitats.
The Chamberlain School offers this trip to Bermuda two times a year. Those who participate in this trip, are exposed to various Ocean Study groups on campus before they leave and while in Bermuda.
All students and staff stay at the Bermuda Institute of Ocean Science (BIOS), where students learn first hand from the experts about Bermuda’s oceanic environment. BIOS was established in 1903 and has been doing deep-ocean and coral research since. It is one of only a few “blue-water oceanography centres in the world where scientific experiments can be carried out on the ocean and its inhabitants without the variable of mainland anthropogenic pollutants influencing results.” For more information visit their site at www.bios.edu.
With having courses through BIOS on fish identification and Bermuda’s diverse eco-system, students and staff are able apply this knowledge while engaged in snorkeling, swimming and in various water and land activities. Such activities include hiking, boating, spelunking and exploring the local culture. Six days later they returned more knowledgeable, tanner and with a new sense of accomplishment
During the interviewing of students about their time in Bermuda, the beaches and swimming in caves seemed to be a big hit. Some of the more exciting experiences were snorkeling near a shipwreck and cliff diving per Whitney G.’s account. Peter F. became fascinated by the fire coral while Matt V. truly enjoyed watching the sergeant majors schooling with one another. The one thing they shared in common is that they all wished the trip were longer and can’t wait to go back!
