DUOY 2016 Images

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DOWN UNDER, OUT YONDER WORKSHOP

From 1996-2016, Down Under, Out Yonder (DUOY) was an educator workshop and scuba field experience that introduced educators to the sanctuary, coral reefs, reef fish identification and ocean conservation.

The field experience was a dive trip to the Flower Garden and Stetson banks on a live-aboard dive charter. During the dive trip, workshop participants explored the sanctuary and conducted fish surveys to add to a database of knowledge about which species are present in what quantities.

Heading of the REEF fish survey form that includes outline images of several reef fish.
Workshop participants completed 30 fish surveys and
identified 79 different species during their field experience.

This workshop created a memorable, hands-on experience that educators took back to their classrooms as well as museums, aquariums, and other informal education sites.

This year's group included educators from Texas, Louisiana, Florida, Colorado, Ohio, Connecticut and California. (Image: FGBNMS)

Workshop funding and coordination were provided by the Gulf of Mexico Foundation. Workshop instruction and activities were provided by sanctuary staff and guest speakers.

A great group of Dive Leaders helped make this trip successful for participants with varying dive skill levels. (Image: FGBNMS/Drinnen)

For a full range of activities and lesson plans, please visit our
For Teachers page.

Images from the last workshop, held in 2016, can be viewed below. Additional workshop images are also available:

DUOY 2015

Click on a picture below to see a larger, hi-resolution image
Photo credits: FGBNMS

DUOY 2016, Day 1 - Corals and Coral Reefs

Teachers modeling a coral colony with gloved hands and closed eyes as an instructor dangles gummy worms overhead for them to try and catch

As part of the Coral Up Close activity teachers learned to feed like corals using their tentacles (fingers) to catch dangling gummy worms. (Image: FGBNMS)

Sand, sponges and other materials were used to create a simulated coastal habitat to demonstrate runoff issues. (Image: FGBNMS)

Three teachers looking at a time series of reef photos laid out on the floor

The Reef Monitoring lesson helped teachers learn about monitoring techniques and how to analyze a series of reef photos to note changes over time. (Image: FGBNMS)

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DUOY 2016, Day 2 - REEF Fish Identification
and Invasive Lionfish

Teachers standing in front of an aquarium viewing panel to practice fish identification

Day 2 started with a REEF fish identification class that was followed by a visit to the Aquarium at Moody Gardens for practice. This visit to the South Pacific exhibit allowed teachers to practice identifying fish families.
(Image: FGBNMS)

Kelly (right) pointing at fish in the Caribbean aquarium exhibit as two teachers (to her left) look on.

Next stop was the Caribbean exhibit to do identification at the species level. Kelly (right) quizzed teachers on different fish as they swam by.
(Image: FGBNMS)

Teachers sitting on benches at either side of a glass tunnel that passes through the Caribbean exhibit at Moody Gardens

Group photo at the end of the Caribbean exhibit tunnel at the conclusion of fish ID practice. (Image: FGBNMS)

A FISHO playing board (like a BINGO board but with fish names on it) with Goldfish crackers used to mark fish names that have already been called

A rousing game of FISH-O helped teachers practice fish ID some more after their visit to Moody Gardens. (Image: FGBNMS)

Jennifer standing in the middle of a room with teachers circled around her as she explains a game

At the end of the day, following a discussion about invasive lionfish, teachers learned a lionfish predation game led by volunteer Jennifer Idema. (Image: FGBNMS/Drinnen)

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DUOY 2016, Days 3-5 - Diving in the Sanctuary

Charter dive boat M/V FLING dockside in Freeport, TX

M/V FLING, a 100 foot long dive charter vessel, was everyone's home for days 3-5 of the workshop. (Image: Jessie Harshbarger)

A smiling diver climbing up the ladder onto the boat after a dive.

Mandy Hildebrand was definitely pleased with her dive experience at East Flower Garden Bank. (Image: GOMF/Janene Fowler)

Six divers holding on to a mooring line underwater as they slowly surface.

Divers using the mooring line for their safety stop at the end of a dive. (Image: Jessie Harshbarger)

Four lionfish hovering above star coral on the reef at East Flower Garden Bank

The invasive lionfish lesson became real when divers spotted these four large lionfish hanging out in one spot on the reef.
(Image: Jessie Harshbarger)

Teachers swimming through a swarm of fish at Stetson Bank. (Image: Jessie Harshbarger

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Juvenile blue tang (fish). Bright yellow body with irridescent blue marking around eye and at top edge of dorsal fin.