Day Thirteen: Exams and Dolphin Swim
We started out the day (after breakfast of course) with part one of the lab exam which was done out in the water. The students had to swim around to a number of different stations and id the organisms at each numbered marker. They recorded their answer on an underwater slate. After the lab test, we returned to RIMS for our dolphin swim. We were transported over to Bailey’s Key, where we were met by the trainers. Following a brief introduction, we were in the water with the dolphins. For the first ½ hour we were with the trainer and an individual dolphin, but then we were allowed to put on our masks, snorkels, and fins and swim in the enclosure, one on one with the dolphins. They would make numerous passes wanting to play and to be rubbed on – it was exciting! We then grabbed a quick lunch and headed out for our afternoon dive (fish survey). After dinner the students took the second part of the lab exam. All that is left now is the written final tomorrow morning.