I t looks like the water tables toddlers play at—only this 300-gallon aquarium is home to newly-caught translucent blue crabs, hermit crabs, mantis shrimp and miniature starfish that like to bury themselves in the sand.

Georgia College & State University Associate Professor of Biology Dr. David Weese took his Intro to Marine Biology class on a recent research trip to experience the thrill of the open sea and salty breezes.

They used trawling nets to capture multiple ocean dwellers and brought an ample supply back to put in Georgia College’s new marine lab behind the old greenhouse at Herty Hall.

The critters now live in the vast tank—already fighting territorial disputes—just feet away from other smaller tanks that hold sea urchins for research.

“The students got to see how marine research is done,” Weese said. “They got to deploy so much instrumentation and measure things like conductivity and temperature. Usually, we read the book, and I show them pictures. But to actually take them out—so they can see how scientists work—is invaluable.”

The daylong trip aboard the research vessel, Savannah, was part of a program through the University of Georgia’s Skidaway Institute of Oceanography.  About 10 students went on the educational trip, funded through the University System of Georgia.

Few universities have large holding tanks to keep saltwater organisms alive, Weese said. This project “opens the door to all kinds of student research,” like water quality analysis, pH or temperature changes in water and pollution studies.

“Even if your institution is on the coast, this size tank is very unique. It’s not something that many schools have,” he said.

Dr. Kristine White, assistant professor of biology, teaches oceanography in the new Marine Sciences concentration at Georgia College. Faculty would like to further develop a reef system in the big tank, she said, and use it for experiments and teaching.

These plans excite junior biology major Amelia Pound of Savannah. The sea trip opened her eyes to possible careers she might choose. Her brother is a microbiologist and her mother a nurse, so Pound grew up curious and asking questions. She feels destined to do experiments and research.

“Coming to Georgia College and getting to experience the different labs here, I realized how fun research is and how much I enjoy trying a diversity of things,” she said. “Just learning in general has always been a big passion of mine. Georgia College was the right choice to experience that.”

Being on the open sea brought textbook reading and classroom instruction to life. Holding and interacting with marine organisms—like sea squirts, sand dollars, coral and sponges—helped Pound familiarize herself with their anatomy and personality quirks.

The group even caught a pufferfish and stingray but returned them to the ocean after examination.

Now, Pound helps manage these sea creatures—making sure the water stays filtered for optimal survival. The entire experience made her consider working as a marine biologist at the Georgia Aquarium someday.

“This has definitely opened my eyes to different opportunities,” Pound said. “Ocean research is important in the long run to make sure water quality stays good and ensure we keep our seas clean.”

Photos in gallery taken by David Weese.