The field of environmental education has undergone a significant transformation over the past fifty years. In that time, Discovery Hall Programs (DHP) at the Dauphin Island Sea Lab (DISL) has evolved in parallel, continually adapting to emerging scientific knowledge, innovative pedagogical practices, and the changing needs of teachers and students. Rooted in a long-standing commitment to fostering environmental stewardship, the DHP’s central goal remains to get students outside, fostering a deeper understanding of and connection to the natural world. Emphasizing Gulf coast ecosystems, students explore native plants in the maritime forest, catch baby blue crabs in the safety of the salt marsh, traverse indigenous shell mounds, and discover how cultural history and the surrounding environment intertwine.

While aboard the research vessel or on shore, students hone their skills of observation and data collection, using water quality monitoring kits, probes, sensors, and other scientific tools. Educators discuss local environmental issues, explore how some of those problems can be traced up the watershed, and share the work of DISL scientists addressing some of those hazards.  

In addition to getting students’ feet wet in the field, the programs at DISL have expanded to include a range of STEM-focused experiences that engage learners with the tools and technologies of ocean exploration. Students use the engineering design process to design and build drifters and remotely operated vehicles, investigate deep-sea features using an augmented reality sand table, and analyze the impacts of sea-level rise on coastal ecosystems. These immersive, hands-on activities not only enhance scientific literacy but also promote critical thinking, curiosity, and a sense of place.