Sophomores study steelhead in Big Sur
![A student in a wet suit glides through a river with a data collection board in her hands.]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1698174557/santacatalina/qvyf2fwuekyurgfhs2nj/MERPBigCreek.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1698174557/santacatalina/qvyf2fwuekyurgfhs2nj/MERPBigCreek.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1698174557/santacatalina/qvyf2fwuekyurgfhs2nj/MERPBigCreek.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1698174557/santacatalina/qvyf2fwuekyurgfhs2nj/MERPBigCreek.jpg","width":1200}])
Sophomores in Santa Catalina School’s Marine Ecology Research Program took an overnight trip to Big Sur to study steelhead and dip their toes into field work.
Students visited the University of California’s Big Creek Reserve, where they got to work with a scientist who has been studying endangered steelhead in the region for 20 years. Students went snorkeling in the creek as they practiced scientific observation and data collection. In addition to studying fish, they examined stream insects and hiked through redwood forest that is recovering from wildfires.
For sophomores, who are in their first year of the research program, this annual trip is a great introduction to field work and to the dynamic coastal ecosystems of California.
![Dawna Levenson speaks at a podium next to a screen projecting images of STEM careers.]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1728420004/santacatalina/wzrixynlo9nenrncg1jd/DawnaLevenson.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1728420004/santacatalina/wzrixynlo9nenrncg1jd/DawnaLevenson.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1728420004/santacatalina/wzrixynlo9nenrncg1jd/DawnaLevenson.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1728420004/santacatalina/wzrixynlo9nenrncg1jd/DawnaLevenson.jpg","width":1200}])
![Two Santa Catalina students wear VR goggles while using a flight simulator.]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1728081269/santacatalina/aakb4spa8yxidctii8ri/GirlsinAviationDay.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1728081269/santacatalina/aakb4spa8yxidctii8ri/GirlsinAviationDay.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1728081269/santacatalina/aakb4spa8yxidctii8ri/GirlsinAviationDay.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1728081269/santacatalina/aakb4spa8yxidctii8ri/GirlsinAviationDay.jpg","width":1200}])
![Students crowd tables surrounding Sullivan Court.]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1727106698/santacatalina/owtqee8xomrfja0iqjmk/ClubFair_1.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1727106698/santacatalina/owtqee8xomrfja0iqjmk/ClubFair_1.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1727106698/santacatalina/owtqee8xomrfja0iqjmk/ClubFair_1.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1727106698/santacatalina/owtqee8xomrfja0iqjmk/ClubFair_1.jpg","width":1200}])