A group of seven Niceville High School students and three teachers headed to Tanzania July 31 to help train their counterparts there in the NaGISA (Natural Geography of In-Shore Areas) protocol for the study of coastal marine life. The NaGiSA project is led by researchers at the University of Kyoto, Japan, whose goal is to track the presence of macro and micro organisms living along coastal areas around the globe over the next 50 years.

Last October, the Niceville team travelled to Japan, where they presented at the NaGISA international science conference. They were the only high school team to present, and they so impressed their Japanese hosts and the international science community that the group was asked to lead the participating high schools from around the world. The NaGISA lead researchers even offered to pay part of the expenses for the group to travel to Tanzania.

Each spring, the students take samples of marine life on the coastline and at depths of 1m to 20m in the gulf, following a strict sandy beach protocol, which they helped develop. "What we're doing is absolutely unprecedented," states Rick Hernandez, NHS Gifted instructor and Co-Director of NaGISA NW Florida. "A high school is doing graduate level research on an international level, and going to another country to establish another high school program. That high school will collaborate with a local university and maintain their relationship with us." Hernandez emphasizes the importance of using high schools to fill in the gaps left by universities, which don't have the resources to take samples at every point around the globe.

Five of the students - all of the girls - earned their SCUBA certificates over the summer. They performed a practice dive last Saturday at Lake Pippin, and talked about the difficulties of diving down 20m (about 60 ft) for the 15 cm core sample, which they will do in the seagrass-filled waters of Zanzibar. "It was a challenge. We were pushing each other down, so we wouldn't float back up!" laughed junior Cyndi Milum, noting that they had to be sure to get an accurate sample of the full 15 cm, without losing any sand.

Another challenge will be to respect the sensibilities of their hosts, both in manners and in dress. Zanzibar is 99% Muslim, so the group will be careful about what to wear, and will take care not to expose their shoulders or chests. Even the males are expected to remain covered at all times.

Inland, where many of the villages practice tribal religions, customs will be different. Junior Jordan Ezell is particularly looking forward to having the chance to work with the students and teachers there. "It's fun to go to the tourist places and see sights, but it will be great to really get to know people and experience the culture," she says.

AP Environmental Science teacher Jodi Maker, who traveled with the Japan delegation, agrees. She and the other participants have been busy looking up information about the country and its customs. Before the collection and training begin, the group will take a tour of the country - including a safari - to give them a chance to become acclimated to the culture and learn more about the environment there. "We've been doing a lot of research, but we want to be sure not to get caught off guard," she explains.

Communication with parents will be difficult during the trip, because Internet and phone availability is limited. Earth and Space Science teacher John Paul Jones has lived in Africa and speaks Swahili, so his presence is a source of reassurance.

Maker is proud of the students, who have spent much of their summer preparing for the trip, studying the rocky shores and sea grass protocols, participating in fundraising activities and giving presentations about the NaGISA project throughout the community. "They're vested in it," she says. "That's why it's so much fun to work with these kids." She has witnessed the increase in scientific interest that the NaGISA project has brought to all her students, not just those who are making the trip. "There's no better way to learn science than to leave the classroom, go to a natural setting and apply what you've learned," she says.

The Itinerary
After multiple flights lasting 37 hours, the group will arrive in Dar es Salaam and travel 8 hrs by bus to Arusha.  From Arusha, they will spend a few days exploring the country, adjusting to the new environment, and becoming familiar with the customs.  They will then take a ferry to the island of Zanzibar, where they will stay in Kizimkazi, a fishing village located on the south coast of the island.

Who's Going?
Students:
Ann Durrenberger
Jordan Ezell
Lauren Foy
Cami Fletcher
Jonathan LaMoel
Cyndi Mylum
Nick Stennet

Teachers:
John Paul Jones - Earth & Space Science
Cindy Libman - Forensics; Earth & Space Science
Jodi Maker - AP Environmental Science

How to Help
The group is still about $10,000 short of their fund-raising goal. Any financial help would be greatly appreciated. Checks can be sent to Niceville High School with the memo: NaGISA project.

Hernandez plans to continue the fund-raising dinners and teas, after the group returns.