OKALOOSA COUNTY, Fla. (WJHG/WECP) – A group of high school students is taking their research project all over the world. But they are looking for some help to do so.
Eight students from Niceville High School’s gifted program are embarking on a trip to Shizuoka, Japan for the 2nd World Ocean Station Conference. Students participate in the NaGISA program. NaGISA stands for “Physical Geography of Coastal Areas”. This program focuses on research and analysis of marine biodiversity along coastlines.
Students in this program collect and analyze marine samples from the shores and waters of Henderson Beach. They find and study a variety of creatures that live along the Panhandle coast, including starfish, shrimp, crabs, octopuses, and even small things like various nematodes.
The program is primarily student-run, with students who have been in the program for many years acting as externs, planning the program, and mentoring and mentoring students who are just starting the program.
NewsChannel 7 spoke with several students Wednesday who are analyzing new specimens taken from the bay. Most said the program enabled them to explore their passions.
“I have always been interested in science, but my first experience was when I was a freshman. When I looked under the microscope and saw tiny roundworms running around for the first time, I realized that I was really passionate about this program. I knew right away that I had it, and I’m going to spend the rest of my life looking into it under a microscope,” said Lily Suttlemire, a Niceville High School senior and external director of the NaGISA program. “So now I really want to do research as a career, and it was really NaGISA that got me interested in it.”
Suttlemeyer is one of eight students traveling to Japan to present their research on the world stage. She said this is an opportunity to collaborate with and learn from scientists from around the world.
Travel costs per student are approximately $4,500. The students are asking the public for donations to help cover costs. If you would like to contribute, click here or contact Richard Hernandez at Niceville High School.
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