jr scientists dive program

We help kids with their Marine Biology Dreams!

Jr Scientists Dive Program is a unique opportunity for 8-15 year olds interested in marine biology and the ocean. Our goal is to engage kids interested in the ocean through science/STEM education, scuba training and hands-on experiences. Students participate in monthly Workshops and Dive Clinics to expand their knowledge about marine science and conservation, learn new scientific and research methods, practice neutral buoyancy skills, and develop good diving habits.

Registration for the full program includes ten Marine Science Workshops (Discover Science STEM Lab) and five Dive Clinics (SeaVentures) in the Spring Session (January-May). Participants can also register for individual Workshops and Dive Clinics. There are no additional costs for lab fees or dive gear. Attendance is not required for all events, however, there are no make ups or refunds for missed Workshops or Dive Clinics. Space is very limited due to restrictions based on student:instructor ratios, as well as space needed in the pool for scientific activities.

Dive Clinics are open to two groups of divers:
• SSI Advanced Scuba Rangers and PADI Master Seal Team Divers
• Junior Open Water Divers (any dive agency)

Non-divers can participate in our Jr Scientists Workshops. Please contact SeaVentures (770) 992-3772 if you are interested in getting your child (ages 8 and up) started in scuba diving.

Workshop Location: Discover Science Center, 2500 Old Alabama Rd, STEM Lab (suite 21), Roswell, GA 30076
Dive Clinic Location: SeaVentures Aquatic Center, 2880 Holcomb Bridge Rd. Alpharetta, 30022

Instructor: Dr. Tonya is a Marine Biologist, certified SSI Open Water Instructor, SSI Scuba Ranger Instructor, PADI Scuba Instructor and former Unit Dive Safety Officer at Georgia Institute of Technology. She was an Aquanaut for two scientific missions in Aquarius Reef Base, and has years of experience teaching kids’ scuba classes. She is the Director of Discover Science Center, and currently teaches scuba programs for kids at SeaVentures in Alpharetta, GA.

SPRING 2020 REGISTRATION

Scuba Rangers/Seal Team Divers

To register, participants must be SSI Advanced Scuba Ranger / PADI Master Seal Team Divers or above.

See schedule below.

Jr Scientists Dive Full Program - (5 Dive Clinics and 10 Workshops**)

$550 - can be divided into two $275 payments

Jr Scientists Dive Clinics only - (5 Dive Clinics**)

$375

Jr Scientists Workshops only - (10 Workshops**)

$175

Individual Workshops

$20-$25

Individual Dive Clinics

$80

**NOTE: There are no make ups or refunds for missed workshops or dive clinics.

Level 1 (Jr)/Jr Open Water Divers

To register, participants must be certified Level 1 / Junior Open Water Divers (from any dive agency).

See schedule below.

Jr Scientists Dive Full Program - (5 Dive Clinics and 10 Workshops**)

$550 - can be divided into two $275 payments

Jr Scientists Dive Clinics only - (5 Dive Clinics**)

$375

Jr Scientists Workshops only - (10 Workshops**)

$175

Individual Workshops

$20-$25

Individual Dive Clinics

$80

**NOTE: There are no make ups or refunds for missed workshops or dive clinics.

Jr Scientists Spring 2020 SCHEDULE

Workshop Schedule

FISH ANATOMY AND DISSECTION
Saturday, January 18
3:00-5:00pm
Ages 9-15
In this lab, we investigate the external and internal anatomy of bony fishes to learn about their biology and adaptations. Students do not have to participate in dissections if they prefer not to.
Location: STEM Lab (suite 21)

INTRO TO SCIENTIFIC DIVING
Saturday, January 25
3:00-4:30pm
Ages 9-15
Students learn the differences between recreational scuba diving and scientific diving, simulate underwater communication and research techniques, and explore scientific gear used to conduct underwater research.
Location: STEM Lab (suite 21)

SHARK ANATOMY
Saturday, February 8
3:00-5:00pm
Ages 9-15
We study the external and internal anatomy of sharks to determine how they differ from bony fishes. Students do not have to participate in dissections if they prefer not to.
Location: STEM Lab (suite 21)

SHARK BIOLOGY AND ID
Saturday, February 22
3:00-4:30pm
Ages 9-15
Students study the behaviors, adaptations, habitat, and identifying characteristics of sharks commonly encountered while diving and how shark surveys are conducted.
Location: STEM Lab (suite 21)

INVASIVE SPECIES
Saturday, March 14
3:00-4:30pm
Ages 9-15
Students study the characteristics of invasive species, learn how invasive species are introduced into novel habitats, and investigate the effects of two invasive Caribbean species, lionfish and orange cup coral.
Location: STEM Lab (suite 21)

MEASUREMENT METHODS
Saturday, March 28
3:00-4:30pm
Ages 9-15
Participants learn to use underwater measurement tools and importance of proper measurement techniques, practice methods to measure living organisms, estimate fish size and record distances between research sites.
Location: STEM Lab (suite 21)

SYMBIOSES
Saturday, April 25
3:00-4:30pm
Ages 9-15
Students learn about symbiotic relationships between different marine species, from large-scale phenomena such as cleaning stations, to symbioses at the cellular level including coral-alga interactions.
Location: STEM Lab (suite 21)

RESEARCH SURVEYS
Saturday, May 2
3:00-4:30pm
Ages 9-15
Students learn how scientists design underwater experiments, set up transect survey areas, and practice data collection methods.
Location: STEM Lab (suite 21)

CORAL BIOLOGY AND DISEASE
Saturday, May 9
3:00-4:30pm
Ages 9-15
In this lab, we study coral biology, and learn identify types of corals and the diseases that affect their health
Location: STEM Lab (suite 21)

CORAL FARMING
Saturday, May 16
3:00-4:30pm
Ages 9-15
Students learn how scientists work to restore coral reefs, build and use coral fragment trees, and learn different methods of suspending coral fragments.
Location: STEM Lab (suite 21)

Dive Clinic Schedule

NEUTRAL BUOYANCY CLINIC
Sunday, February 2
11:00am-1:00pm – SSI Scuba Rangers/PADI Seal Team Divers 1:00pm-3:00pm – SSI Level 1 (Jr)/PADI Jr Open Water Divers
Divers practice neutral buoyancy and body positioning skills necessary to conduct scientific research while completing underwater tasks and challenges.
Location: SeaVentures

SHARK SURVEY
Sunday, February 23
11:00am-1:00pm – SSI Scuba Rangers/PADI Seal Team Divers
1:00pm-3:00pm – SSI Level 1 (Jr)/PADI Jr Open Water Divers
Jr Scientists identify sharks and collect population data on sharks commonly observed along reef habitats of the Caribbean.
Location: SeaVentures

UNDERWATER MEASUREMENT
Sunday, March 29
11:00am-1:00pm – SSI Scuba Rangers/PADI Seal Team Divers 1:00pm-3:00pm – SSI Level 1 (Jr)/PADI Jr Open Water Divers
Divers collect and record measurement data on coral specimens as individual divers and as buddy teams using proper measurement technique and good diving skills.
Location: SeaVentures

TRANSECT SURVEY
Sunday, May 3
11:00am-1:00pm – SSI Scuba Rangers/PADI Seal Team Divers 1:00pm-3:00pm – SSI Level 1 (Jr)/PADI Jr Open Water Divers
Jr Scientists collect ecological data while performing transect survey methods as they practice neutral buoyancy and good diving skills.
Location: SeaVentures

CORAL FARMING
Sunday, May 17
11:00am-1:00pm – SSI Scuba Rangers/PADI Seal Team Divers 1:00pm-3:00pm – SSI Level 1 (Jr)/PADI Jr Open Water Divers
Divers build and use coral fragment trees underwater, learn different methods of suspending fragments and practice their neutral buoyancy skills and good diving habits.
Location: SeaVentures