After their first exploration trip to Island Beach State Park last month, the Manchester Township Middle School (MTMS) Eco Explorers Club was ready for their next big adventure: whale watching! On Friday, nearly 40 middle school students took to the open water to observe marine life off the beautiful Jersey Shore coastline.
Thanks to grant support from the New Jersey Education Association (NJEA) and the New York Giants, along with the dedication of their teachers, students are experiencing powerful, hands-on learning opportunities that connect classroom science with the natural world.
Aboard the Jersey Girl Whale Watching vessel, students were guided by a professional naturalist, a Monmouth University graduate with a degree in marine biology, and an experienced crew. Over the course of their three-hour expedition, the students learned about local ecosystems and marine species while scanning the horizon for whales, dolphins, turtles, and more.
The excitement began almost immediately when a bald eagle soared overhead as the boat set out into the Atlantic. As they cruised north, passengers on the top of the vessel reported spotting a sea turtle drifting near the surface, and students even caught sight of the New York City skyline shimmering in the distance.
On the return trip south toward the Manasquan Inlet, the real show began. A smaller pod of dolphins appeared first, delighting students who gathered at the bow for a closer look. Moments later, a larger pod, 10 to 15 dolphins strong, surrounded the boat, swimming alongside and behind as if performing just for them. The naturalist explained how dolphins can hear the students’ cheers through the water, making the encounter even more memorable. Cameras clicked nonstop as students captured the dolphins leaping through waves against the backdrop of a sunny autumn sky.
This unforgettable day was made possible through the efforts of MTMS educators Susan Morgan (Science), Kristine Laporte (Science), and Michael Balog (Social Studies). The trio helped bring the NJEA–New York Giants partnership to Manchester, earning recognition as Giants Educators of the Week and Educator of the Year. Their honors came with grant funding that launched the Eco Explorers Club, giving students opportunities to study the unique ecosystems of Ocean and Monmouth Counties, explore environmental protection efforts, and connect science lessons about climate change and human impact to real-world experiences.
The Eco Explorers still have one more trip planned this fall, and we can’t wait to see where their next adventure leads!
