On a recent educational trip, students and faculty from the College of Southern Maryland (CSM) participated in a hands-on scientific initiative to tag horseshoe crabs along the shores of Cape May, New Jersey. This venture, part of CSM’s travel study program, allowed students to engage directly with one of nature’s oldest ongoing ecological processes—horseshoe crabs emerging at dusk to lay their eggs during the spring migration.
Dr. Stephanie McCaslin, CSM Dean of Learning Resources, highlighted the experience as an exceptional learning opportunity that extends beyond traditional classroom settings. Students were able to witness and contribute to critical research efforts aimed at preserving the species known as “living fossils,” due to their ancient lineage and unique biological characteristics.
The tagging initiative was conducted in collaboration with the American Littoral Society, focusing on the collection of data that will assist in habitat preservation efforts such as sand placement and reef creation. This is essential for maintaining the spawning grounds of the crabs and the foraging areas of shorebirds that rely on horseshoe crab eggs for sustenance.
Eyron Tapia-Sibri, a biology student at CSM, expressed his gratitude for the opportunity, noting the profound impact of seeing the lifecycle of these creatures up close. “Tagging the crabs felt fulfilling,” Tapia-Sibri said, “It’s always amazing to see living creatures emerge from something so small.”
Engineering student Kaleb Bennett shared his fascination with horseshoe crabs, emphasizing their distinctiveness from humans. “Their ancient lineage and dramatically different biology make them seem almost alien,” Bennett remarked.
The trip also included educational hikes and boat tours, enhancing students’ understanding of the local ecosystem. This included sightings of shorebirds and dolphins and visits to significant local landmarks and museums. According to McCaslin, such activities are tailored to align with students’ interests, maximizing the educational value of the trip.
CSM is committed to providing these experiential learning opportunities, which are highly valued for their contribution to students’ educational and professional development. Janet Thompson, who coordinates travel study programs at CSM, noted that the Cape May trip represents a resurgence in travel opportunities following the hiatus caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. She emphasized the broadened perspectives that travel affords, stating, “There’s something about traveling with a group of your peers that’s more than just a field trip. It’s an opportunity that you chose to take advantage of, and it opens a lot of doors.”
The trip was made possible through funding from the National Science Foundation for S-STEM scholars, ensuring that financial barriers did not prevent interested students from participating.
As CSM continues to expand its travel study offerings, the impact of such trips on student learning and environmental conservation efforts remains a compelling testament to the power of hands-on education.
