Bringing Shark Research Into the Classroom and Onto the Water- Project Lemon Aid May 2026
In May, Sharks4Kids returned to Turks and Caicos to continue Project Lemon Aid, our ongoing lemon shark research and education program focused on understanding and protecting important shark nursery habitats. This trip was our 7th field season since starting in May 2022.
Project Lemon Aid combines shark research, marine science education, and hands-on experiences to connect students with the sharks and coastal ecosystems found in Turks and Caicos.
During this trip, students didn't just learn about shark research; they became part of it.
Although our original May 16–31 schedule had to change because of illness, our team still reached approximately 500 students and 35 educators and brought students into the field to experience shark research firsthand.
One highlight of the trip was our student field program.
We hosted three student field days, bringing 30 students, three teachers, one parent, four community members, and two Fisheries staff members out on the water.
Students from Clement Howell High School, A. Louise Garland Thomas High School
and International School of Turks & Caicos joined our team in the field.
Students participated in the research and data-collection process while learning about lemon shark biology, shark ecology, mangrove ecosystems, and shark research methods.
For students, this is a very different experience from simply reading about sharks in a classroom. They saw how scientists collect information, ask research questions, and study sharks in their natural environment.
Hands-on experiences like these can help students understand that science isn't just something found in a textbook; it is something they can participate in.
Our team also pulled our acoustic receivers and downloaded the data. It's been exciting to see our sharks move. The team also acoustically tagged 11 more sharks. In total, they tagged just over 40 individual sharks. Each shark we catch gets a PIT tag, and specific sizes get acoustic tags as well.
The Sharks4Kids team visited:
A. Louise Garland Thomas High School, International School of Turks & Caicos, Provo Primary School, Provo Middle School, and British West Indies Collegiate
Together, these school visits reached approximately 500 students and 35 educators, from ages 3–18.
Our lessons introduced students to shark biology, conservation, marine ecosystems, and shark research, while helping them better understand the important role sharks play in healthy ocean ecosystems. By bringing shark scientists and educators directly into schools, w e connect what students learn in the classroom with the marine environment around them.
Education doesn't have to end when our team leaves the classroom.
During the trip, Sharks4Kids distributed educational materials for students, teachers, and families, including:
250 Sharks of Turks & Caicos educational packets, 200 shark coloring pages, Shark posters
and Shark books.
These resources let students keep learning about sharks and marine conservation after our visits.
Learning about sharks in a classroom is valuable. A student standing on a boat, looking at a shark in the water, learning how researchers collect data, and asking questions about that animal is an entirely different experience.
These hands-on opportunities can turn curiosity into a deeper understanding of marine science and conservation.
