August 6-11, 2018

The incoming LIFE STEM Scholars and I went to Hull Spring Farm for six days to learn about the issues related to the Chesapeake Bay. On our first day, we toured the Farm and collected water samples and data near the Farm and at a local waterway in a boat to see various differences between the water samples.

On the second day, we went to Tangier Island, a small island in the Chesapeake Bay, to study the issues facingthe island and to ask the townsfolk their thought about the island and island life. We rode a ferry boat all the way toTangier island. It was a fun boat ride with shakings during that ride. It took us over three hours on the boat trip with a one way trip taking an hour and forty minutes to the island.

On the third day, we learned about how Nitrogen and Phoseic harmed survivorship in marine life. We also about that Longwood is a connection to Approx. The river next is James River, then the Chesapeake Bay, and to the Atlantic Ocean. Then we go on a trip to Westmoreland State Park swimming and hiking. I hike, and it was a very long but a real adventure hiking around the trail I take Turkey Neck Trail. I didn’t even use the trail map guide to find my way out, I only just following the path of the trail and got back to the park just before the time of our departure. After a few hours a woman who works the state park and explaining Whale Anthropology.

In our fourth day, we went on a BayQuest with Captain Rowe and explore around the bay on his boat. We went to a shipment factory to learn about the oyster’s habitat and learn about their production. Next, we stop in the middle of the bay and gather information and collecting samples of the bay’s condition. After that we dig up a variety of marine creatures in the bay, then we ate actual raw and coming out from sea oysters. We also capture varying amounts of cabs and learn about the difference between a male and female crab.

On the Fifth day, a guest speaker from the Chesapeake Bay Foundation gave a presentation theAquatic ecosystem and aquaculture of the bay. Later in the day, we did group presentations oneverything we learned and collected from our trips. The presentations topics focused on the current situation of the Chesapeake Bay.

On the Sixth day, we did community service by picking up broken trees and clearing the area to form a trail around the Hull Springs Farm. Then. we left Hull Spring Farm and went back to Longwood University. It was a fun trip and a good experience we had for over six days