Terrific Beach Day (:

On the July 14th, 2009 groups 1 and 2 went to the beach in front of MAST on Virginia Key. When we arrived to school we were sent to the auditorium and introduced to Ms. Stiger whom is a marine biologist. She was extremely enthusiastic and jumped right in to teaching us about flora (plants) and fauna (animals). She explained to us about the dangers of sea life and the beauty of it too. She told us about all the poisonous animals that looked normal, or like other nonpoisonous animals that will attach onto you, or sting you. One was the "thumb splinter" which was a shrimp that looked like a praying mantis that is bothered would split your thumb and cause a deep painful cut and bleeding. After this hour and a half presentation we made our way onto the beach. Unfortunately, I was not swim tested and was unable to get into the water; Lynda was also unable to get into the water. But as our fellow classmates were looking at the various sea life, Lynda and I studied life on the land. We looked at some of the flora and fauna we saw on the sea shore. We then explored the flora on the shore; we saw the Australian oak which is not native to Florida and the dwarf palm tree which is native to Florida. Everyone benefited from this experience at the beach and I hope we go again. I learned a lot and will never forget this experience.