Discovery Hall Programs leads K-12 Field Classes at the Dauphin Island Sea Lab during the academic year between September and May.
Each class is designed to meet the Alabama Course of Study Standards in Science for each age group.
- Each class consists of a half-day field/lecture or a half-day lab/lecture experience.
- Classes can be combined to create half day, full day, or multi-day trips.
- The maximum number of participants per class is 35.
- Dormitories are available on campus for multi-day field trips.
- May’s Cafe is available for meals during your field trip.
- Virtual class options are available upon request.
Student/Chaperone Ratio:
- K5 -5th grade / 5 students: 1 adult
- 6th -8th grade / 7 students: 1 adult
- 9th -12th grade / 10 students: 1 adult
Reservations are required and can be made contacting the Scheduling Coordinator by email at scheduler@disl.edu or by phone at (251) 861-2141 x7511.
For more detailed information, see the Field Trip Planning Guide.
Peak dates during the academic year may require a one to two-year reservation before your desired date. There is a waiting list available.
If you are interested in booking a field trip to the Alabama Aquarium, contact Jamelle Roy at 251-861-2141 x7545 or fill out the online reservation form. Group rates are available by reservation with at least 48 hours notice.
Alabama Aquarium
Grades: K-12th
Explore the Alabama watershed at the Alabama Aquarium with a self-guided or educator led tour. Lessons are available to help focus student attention and/or assessment.
Coastal Habitats
Grades: 5th-12th
Field
A guided walk along the beach, over the dunes, and into the maritime forest on Dauphin Island’s east end gives students a chance to explore Alabama’s coastal ecology.
Designing Plankton
Grades: 5th-12th
Field
Lab
Plankton contribute to half of the world’s oxygen. Students will learn about sampling with plankton nets, use microscopes to discover the many species swimming in our waters, and apply what they learn in a ‘Race to Survive’.
Dissection: Squid
Grades: 5th-12th
Lab
Students engage in a detailed introduction to the major marine phyla found along the Gulf Coast. Guided by an educator, they will dissect a squid to learn about the anatomy of cephalopods. This class can be coupled with a Touch Lab class.
History of Dauphin Island
Grades: 4th-12th
Field
In partnership with Fort Gaines, students can take a walk into the past and learn about Native American civilizations, French settlements, and Civil War events. There is a separate cost for this activity.
Kayaking through Coastal Habitats
Grades: 6th-12th
Field
Students explore the biodiversity of Dauphin Island’s coastal habitats by kayak. The guided kayak tour gives students another look at the salt marsh habitat. Students will receive safety training before the kayak tour begins.
Marine Debris: What's in the Water
Grades: 5th-12th
Field
Lab
Students explore the problem of marine debris discovering microplastics, its sources, and how it affects ocean life. This activity includes a walk along the shoreline.
Ocean Currents and Drifters
Grades: 5th-12th
Field
Lab
Students learn how drifters are used to understand the effects of ocean curents on the dyanmics of a barrier island. They will have the chance to build a drifter.
Oceanography of Waves
Grades: 5th-12th
Field
Lab
Students explore the scientific method as they develop and test hypotheses by measuring, graphing and analyzing wave height data.
One Fish, Two Fish
Grades: K-5th
Lab
What makes a fish a fish? Students will learn how form follows function in the animal kingdom as they examing the fishes of Mobile Bay and the Gulf of Mexico.
Research Vessel Experience
Grades: 5th-12th
Field
Students explore Mobile Bay on DISL’s R/V Alabama Discovery and learn about the species that inhabit the estuaries and how humans affect these coastal habitats.
ROVing the Gulf
Grades: 5th-12th
Field
Lab
Students design, build and fly their own unique remotely operated vehicle (ROV). During the engineering process, they’ll explore buoyancy and hydrodynamics, and teamwork.
Sea Level Rise and Climate Change
Grades: 5th-12th
Field
Lab
Through a series of short laboratory activities, students explore the issue of sea level rise, climate change, and barrier island dynamics.
Touch Lab
Grades: K-12th
Lab
The Touch Lab is designed for short field trips and introduces a variety of marine species from the coast of Alabama and the Gulf of Mexico to the students.
Watersheds to Water Quality
Grades: 5th-12th
Field
Students engage in an authentic research experience by walking to a local pond on Dauphin Island, conducting water quality tests, and interpreting their data.
Wetland Ecology
Grades: 5th-12th
Field
Students will use common sampling equipment such as seines and sieves to catch and identify various plant and animal species from Dauphin Island’s salt marsh.