MC Outdoor Research Class

08/20/2026

DISL’s Senior Marine Scientist Dr. Jeff Krause introduces us to the tiny organisms that form the foundation of ocean food webs and play a surprisingly big role in our everyday lives.

08/17/2026

08/16/2026

Leaving DISL!

08/15/2026

Not as many photos today, but it was still pretty active! We started off finishing off the experiment started on Thursday, which included running their samples through a fluorometer. They also got to tour the Alabama Aquarium! We’re currently eating ice cream and then we’re going to spend time on the beach before packing up to head out in the morning!

08/15/2026

This happened today, too. There may be some other news stories out there.

08/15/2026

We started the morning off with students teach each other the different skills they learned yesterday while they set up their experiment. Then they collected their first set of data. After that, we headed up to the University of South Alabama to learn about the Stokes School of Marine and Environmental Science. After that, Dr Krause led us on a tour of the campus. We also accidentally crashed a white coat ceremony, but if you know me (Jones) and Putney, then you know that’s par for course with our awkwardness.

Then, we visited a pond on the campus and collected water data and sediment, before heading over to Alligator Bayou to do the same.

At this moment there’s Just Dance happening in the common area, so…

08/14/2026

Between six teachers, there is a LOT of photos from today.

We started off in Dr Krause’s lab setting up an experiment to determine the effect of temperature on phytoplankton. Then we set out on the R/V Alabama Discovery to collect water data and sediment samples.

Edit: I added more photos, but there may be duplicates.

05/19/2026

By McDonald County HS Research Class

04/28/2026

We're beginning to make plans for the Dauphin Island Expedition 2026! This trip exposes students to field work with Dr. Jeff Krause from Dauphin Island Sea Lab. They'll collect sediment from the bottom of Mobile Bay, as well as conduct experiments on water quality in the Bay. The data they collect will be used in a variety of experiments and labs throughout the school year, and it connects students from the Ozarks to the Gulf Coast.

This year, we're planning to expand the number of students who can go to include some who are not currently enrolled in the research class. This past school year the sediment was used in our regular biology labs, while some of the data was also used with Putney's Dual Credit biology class. Some of our students presented their research work with the sediments at the Show-Me State Science Fair in St. Louis!

The experience isn't expensive, but it isn't free, either. If you would like to help support students going on this trip, you can donate here: https://givebutter.com/SkzAsh.

By McDonald County HS Research Class

04/17/2026

Today, the research kids presented the culmination of a lot of hard work and perseverance! I get to see how these kids respond to setbacks, but then deliver on what they’ve been doing. Ellie Allgood and Lilly Reeves took first place among the high school students presenting!

Unfortunately, I was unable to attend today, but Mr Putney was able to chaperone them at the presentation and college tour of MSU.