Teachers trade classrooms for muddy swamp at FGCU's hands-on summer camp

LEE COUNTY, Fla. — Florida Gulf Coast University is giving teachers a summer experience unlike anything in a classroom.

FGCU hosted dozens of teachers from across the state for a week-long workshop, immersing them in hands-on STEM activities focused on the Southwest Florida environment. WINK News reporter Camila Pereira joined the teachers as they headed into the swamp.

"Not what I expected, if I'm being honest," said Julie Rock, a teacher at Bear Creek Elementary School. "I thought I was gonna be sitting in a room, but it's extremely hands-on, and it's amazing. It's been fun, lots of fun," she added.

The group got to explore the natural ecosystems of Southwest Florida up close as part of the Scholz Foundation STEM Summer Institute.

"We're bringing teachers outside to the Cypress Dome, and they're going to experience an ecosystem in Southwest Florida that's really just unique to this area," said Molly Nation, an associate professor of environmental education in the Water School at FGCU.

But it wasn't a wet walk, as the Cypress Dome was drier than usual.

"It's been a little dry, as people know, as we've been in a drought," Nation said. "Typically, at this time of year would be the rainy season, and we experience levels in the Cypress Dome maybe knee deep."

Instead, teachers made their way through a hot and muddy hour-long walk.

"I love this experience because I'm growing a lot, but it's challenging," said Miguel Orengo, a teacher at Lake Trafford Elementary School.

Despite the heat, teachers said they were walking away with something memorable.

"Seeing all of this was really cool, seeing the water level, and then looking up and seeing the cathedral like he said was really cool," said Ashley Davis, a teacher at Myakka City Elementary School.

Now, the teachers are looking forward to bringing what they learned back to their students.

"I'm excited because I can incorporate it into all of my lessons, not just my science lessons, into English and math," Rock said. "I'm also looking forward to sharing it with lots of my colleagues as well when I go back."

Davis said the experience opens new doors for her students too.

"My students are primarily agricultural so doing stuff that's different, like the ocean, the mangroves, is completely new for them," Davis said.