Science By The Shore
Committee
Includes school administrators, teachers, parents, city representatives and a GSBOE member:
Dr. Stephanie Harrison*
Tori Erdossy (GSMS)
Krista Fleming (GSHS) *
Caroline Hamilton (GSHS)
Jessica Sampley (GSHS) *
Hilary McKinney (GSES) *
Vicki Miller (GSES) *
Cinthia Moore (GSMS)
Martha Morales (GSMS)
Carson Schaff (GSHS)
Anthony Schaff (GSMS) *
Laura Burke (GSHS)
* Chair
Mrs. Talantis’ Sustainability class and Mr. Schaff’s class teamed up and took students to kayak in little lagoon and use a seine net to observe native species. A special thank you to the city for providing a great lifeguard and Dr. Simpson and Kim Miller for helping us along the way with the field observation.
Connecting Learning with the Land: Gulf Shores Students Dive into Coastal Science and Stewardship
There’s no better classroom than the beautiful outdoors of Gulf Shores—and our students are making the most of it!
Marine Science Bike Trip to Lake Shelby
Students in Mr. C. Schaff’s Marine Science class took advantage of the season’s perfect weather with a bike ride to Lake Shelby, where they explored the vital role wetlands play in protecting our coastal community. Wetlands act as natural buffers for storm surge and help filter nutrients and sediments from our waterways—crucial for preserving the ecosystems we rely on for food, tourism, and recreation.
Students also encountered Comb Jellies—fascinating marine creatures from the phylum Ctenophora. Unlike jellyfish, comb jellies don’t sting and are completely safe to hold. The best part? They glow at night—a magical introduction to marine biodiversity!
Dune Restoration Day: A Coastal Collaboration
With help from 51 students and volunteers, Gulf Shores City Schools placed 403 recycled Christmas trees along the toe of the dunes to catch windblown sand and promote dune growth—vital to protecting Gulf State Park.
Students from GSMS and GSHS also partnered with Dune Doctors to learn proper dune planting techniques in preparation for the Planting for Protection (P4P) event. P4P, Dune Doctors’ educational initiative, empowers students to become coastal stewards and champions of coastal resiliency.
Science by the Shore (SBTS): Building Student Scientists
The Science by the Shore team spent an inspiring morning at the Gulf State Park Interpretive Center, engaging in fieldwork under the guidance of Krista Fleming. Teachers practiced proper microplastic data collection methods by sifting sand and explored how to bring more authentic field experiences into their classrooms.
Special thanks to Gulf State Park for hosting and collaborating with our team, and to GSMS teacher Anthony Schaff for leading lessons on local ecosystems and microorganisms found in a single drop of Lake Shelby water!
Exploring the Gulf Coast Center for Ecotourism and Sustainability
Our SBTS team also toured the Gulf Coast Center for Ecotourism and Sustainability, where they discussed upcoming facilities and how curriculum can align with this innovative initiative. It’s an exciting step toward integrating science, sustainability, and place-based learning for all students in our district.
At Gulf Shores City Schools, education doesn’t stop at the classroom door—it flows into the dunes, the lagoon, the wetlands, and beyond. We’re building not only strong scholars, but also informed environmental stewards ready to lead the way in protecting our coastal ecosystems.
