Durfee Traveling Sea Lab
Where seafood is local and fresh everyday!!
Students at Durfee High School are currently engaged in a project to construct a 16ft. work skiff with the financial assistance from the Westport Fisherman’s Association. The completed boat will be raffled off at the WFA’s Annual Clambake. The students have been hard at work and are very excited about their project. We are very grateful to the WFA for providing the support so that our students can participate in such a unique learning experience. The Durfee Marine Science Program has enjoyed an extremely productive relationship with the WFA for several years. Together, we have been able to positively impact the lives of thousands of students in the city of Fall River as well as promote stewardship of the diverse natural resources in our area. These types of community collaborations add meaning and relevance to the education of the future generation of responsible citizens.Visitors to this site should be able to view the boat’s progress throught the school year.
Click on each thumbnail to see a larger view.
The students in the marine science classes at Durfee have been hark at work restoring a classic pram-style dingy. They have been learning about nautical terminology and some basic navigation as well as some boat building techniques. After the boat is completed the classes will launch it in the Durfee swimming pool so the students can be taught how to row and handle a small boat. One of the unique features of the boat is its plexiglass “aquaview” bottom design. This allows passengers of the boat to view underwater organisms while staying dry. The vessel has been restored as a “research vessel” for the Durfee Marine Science Program. It will be used to to collect organisms (checking pots, seining, etc.) for the Aquaculture Lab. The students are enjoying this opportunity for a hands-on project. When ask by one student, “Why don’t we just buy a boat that doesn’t have to be fixed?” another student came to the teachers’ defense before we could answer by saying, “Because when we finish this we can look at it and say that WE did that, and that would be pretty satisfying!”
Click on the Pictures Below to See Our Progress!
The Boat is Launched!!
Students launched the boat in the pool and some brave students tested their work. Check out the new pictures below to see the students learning to row a boat. The “Aquaview Bottom Design” was also a big hit!
1) Do you use technology in your classroom ?What technology do you see helpful , in reaching all learners ?
2) Did the power pt. ,on UDL technologies give you any ideas on how to use them in your classroom?
3) How did today’s workshop help you with understanding the “Universal Design of Learning”?
4) Which internet resource ,from the handout ,did you find helpful? Why?
1. What is your interpretation of UDL? How do you think this design could benefit your students?
2. How do you think the Internet and multimedia products could be used in your classroom to individualize learning for students with varied backgrounds, learning styles, abilities, and disabilities.
3. Did you consider today’s workshop helpful to you as a classroom teacher? What parts of the workshop were helpful?
4. How well do you think the presenters prepared for this workshop? In which ways do you think it should change to introduce UDL to teachers in the future?
Tell us what you thought of our course.
Were all of your expectations met?
Did you enjoy the subject matter?
Is there anything that we can do to improve our course?
Thank you for your input and good luck in all of your future endeavors. Never stop asking questions about the world that surrounds you!
On May 3, 2008, Durfee High School students “Buddied-Up” for the Annual Big Buddy Fishing Derby. Although the weather was chilly and grey, bright smiles kept the fish biting. Students from the Marine Science classes at Durfee volunteered to help students from the ungraded, special-needs classes. Students enjoyed their new friends who aided them in catching sunfish and bass at the BCC Pond. An instructional session led by Mr. Skammels kicked off the event. Students were treated to donuts before the competition began. Trophies and ribbons were awarded to all participants for their efforts. A pizza party concluded the event. As the students inhaled their pizza, Mr. Skammels surprised them by letting them know that they could take their fishing poles home as a gift! Other Durfee teachers offering their support at the Derby were Matt Tweedie, Bob Fitton, Brendan O’Neil, and Steve Abdow.
2008 Durfee’s Big Buddy Fishing Derby Winners
Trophies
1st Place(Largest Fish)—Kyle Lopes, and his helper Nashon Robinson ( 2nd Largest fish)—Robert Braley ,and his helpers Jessica Sousa ,and Kendra Mathiew (3rd Largest fish)—Andrew Smith ,and helper Samantha McCallister (First Fish Caught)—Alexander Leal and helpers Vanessa Cordeiro and Jorden Mathiew (Last Fish Caught)—Kyle Davis and helper Josh McCallister Honorable Mention Ribbons 6th Place Amy Delores and helper Ryan McCallister
2nd Place
3rd Place
4th Place
5th Place
8th Place Matt Espinola and helper Russell Trembley
9th Place Richard Sanders and helper Kegan Fielding
10th Place Doug Minville and helper Amanda Medeiros
11th Place Sean Morriaty and helper Ben Semple
On Wednesday Feb , 13, students from Mr. Skammels, Mr. Tweedie, and Mr fitton’s classes had the opportunity to try SCUBA diving during class in the Durfee High School Pool . The demonstration of modern SCUBA equipment supplemented the first chapter from the Marine Science textbook,entitled “Exploring the Ocean Depths”. The handful of brave students truly enjoyed the experience and are planning to continue with a formal certification program.
If You are a new Marine Science Student ,Spring 2008 Semester please comment here on your expectations , previous science classes and your interests concerning Ocean Life.
