“I LOVE participating in ADIL with my students as it provides a fantastic opportunity for my students to gain real-world research skills. By partnering with ORCA, my students feel a sense of pride in collecting data and applying their knowledge to study our local area of the IRL. After ADIL, my students gain data analysis skills as we process the data and submit our report, knowing that we have helped to keep the IRL healthy.”

"Participating in the A Day in the Life of the Indian River Lagoon citizen science program was an invaluable experience for my high school students. It seamlessly integrated classroom learning for my AP Environmental Science course with real-world application, fostering a deeper understanding of environmental science while instilling a sense of responsibility for the well-being of our local ecosystem. The students were excited to spend time outdoors and help collect critical data. The hands-on data collection not only engaged students in meaningful scientific inquiry, but also empowered them to become stewards of the Indian River Lagoon's health, making learning both impactful and memorable."

"I wanted to express our sincere gratitude for an amazing experience participating in A Day in the Life of the Indian River Lagoon. I had hoped for years that I would be able to work with a 5th grade group who would be able to participate in ADIL. This was our first year and now we are hooked. The experience was beyond what I had dreamed. The pre-experience lessons and activities on the actual day of data collection were remarkably engaging and incredibly fun. The staff worked tirelessly with our team to make sure we were ready for the day, and all the efforts paid off. Our group was prepared to gather data as well as adults and we are very appreciative that our 5th grade had an experience of this high caliber. They were able to conduct tests students might not ever come in contact with, yet because of ADIL, they are well versed in sophisticated biological and chemical testing. Who knows where this might lead the students in their future endeavors. Your program made a significant impact on our students, with many expressing newfound interest in the health of the lagoon and the environment. Your commitment to educating our children and developing environmental awareness is inspiring and invaluable to our community and the future of our lagoon. We are grateful for your dedication and excellent work. We look forward to continuing to collaborate with ORCA for A Day in the Life for years to come."