More than 50 Great Neck South High School students in marine science and biology classes recently participated in a trip to the Long Island Aquarium and Exhibition Center in Riverhead.
“The trip gave our students an opportunity to see the inner workings of the aquarium which relates to the first month of our curriculum in which students learn to operate their own fish tanks,’ said South High School science department head Bradley Krauz. “On a behind-the-scenes tour of the aquarium, students learned about aquarium filtration systems. This information will be useful for their own tanks, albeit on a much smaller scale. Students were also provided with a guided tour of some of the exhibits that connect to the anatomy and physiology of fishes which is another component of our curriculum.”
A highlight of the aquarium trip included a new experience — a shark dive adventure.
Krauz and Luis Ramirez (a student chosen by lottery) were equipped by the aquarium with wetsuits and SCUBA equipment and went into the 120,000 gallon tank where they were able to interact with Sand Tiger and Nurse sharks. The other students were able to view this experience from the viewing area under the tank.
