AP Biology Students Test the Chesapeake Bay’s Health

9/29/2016

Each year, the eleventh grade AP Biology class boards the Stanley Norman, one of the Chesapeake Bay’s last skipjacks, for a hands-on exploration of the Bay and other aquatic ecosystems through the Chesapeake Bay Foundation’s (CBF) Skipjack Program. While on board, students investigate the biotic and abiotic factors that affect the health of the Bay. They use chemical methods to test water quality and dredge for oysters for a more informed discussion with CBF representatives about the watershed and restoration efforts for the health of the Bay.

This year, students also trawled, or fished with nets; next, they identified, examined and discussed the various species that they found.

“It was really fun to go to the Chesapeake Bay and use our knowledge from class,” said Yael M. ’18. “It was really cool to see that what we are learning about is happening in real life and is not just theoretical.”

What Jasmine H. ’18 found most interesting was “when we caught wildlife that live in the Chesapeake Bay to evaluate its biodiversity.” She also enjoyed studying the characteristics of the Bay by testing the pH level, salinity, and turbidity (cloudiness caused by individual particles) of the water.

“I learned about the health of the Chesapeake Bay and what we can do to protect it,” adds Jasmine. “I gained a lot from this trip!”

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