Diving into Discovery Bay

January 13, 2026

Written by Amy Heemsoth

Youth for the SDGs Journal – Day 1 (Part 1)

The Peace Boat US Youth for SDGs cohort embarked on an immersive learning journey in Jamaica. As a guest educator for the Peace Boat with local knowledge, I had the honor of introducing 13 passionate youth to the country and facilitating an unforgettable day exploring marine science and cultural heritage.

The Youth for SDGs cohort and program leads gather with staff and interns at the Discovery Bay Marine Lab (DBML) after a day of immersive learning in marine science, sustainability, and Jamaican coastal ecosystems, all in support of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

During our one-hour drive to the lab, I led an interactive discussion about the history of Jamaica, starting with the original inhabitants of the island, the Taino (a subgroup of the Arawak), and proceeding through the Spanish takeover, British colonization, and the transition from African slavery to East Indian laborers. This led us to a conversation about Jamaica’s national heroes, as well as other notable cultural influencers, such as Bob Marley. I also pointed out various places of interest as we passed them, helping to ground the students in both the geography and the cultural context of the island.

We kicked things off with a visit to the University of the West Indies’ Discovery Bay Marine Laboratory (UWI DBML)—a long-standing partner of ours through our J.A.M.I.N. (Jamaica Awareness of Mangroves in Nature) program. The UWI DBML is a vibrant hub of marine research and education focused on preserving the biodiversity and health of tropical coastal ecosystems.

After introductions, Shanna-Lee Thomas, the lab’s Chief Scientific Officer, delivered an engaging lecture on the ecological role of the queen conch, its significance to Jamaican marine ecosystems, and the challenges facing the fishery. She also provided insights into the lab’s Jamaica Conch Project, which promotes sustainable management of this iconic species. The youth were fully engaged, asking insightful and sometimes rapid-fire questions that demonstrated their growing curiosity and dedication to ocean stewardship.

*Shanna-Lee Thomas, Chief Scientific Officer at the Discovery Bay Marine Lab, delivers a compelling lecture on queen conch ecology and the sustainability challenges facing Jamaica’s conch fishery.*

DBML staff gave an engaging tour of the facility, including a behind-the-scenes look at the Queen Conch Mobile Lab, mangrove nursery, and even the lab’s hyperbaric chamber. The students were captivated by the hands-on experiences and the stories behind the science.

During the DBML facility tour, students visited the conch nursery to observe larval queen conch and learn about aquaculture systems that support their growth. They also explored the lab’s hyperbaric chamber, used for dive safety, and visited the mangrove nursery, where Ricardo Hickling explained efforts to restore Jamaica’s coastal ecosystems through native plant propagation.

We then divided into two groups for a boat tour of Discovery Bay. While onboard, students used EarthEcho International’s water quality testing kits, part of the EarthEcho Water Challenge citizen science project, to collect data on turbidity, water temperature, dissolved oxygen (DO), and pH. EarthEcho International is a long-standing partner of both Peace Boat US and the Khaled bin Sultan Living Oceans Foundation, and through these partnerships, we were able to incorporate their citizen science tools into this global learning experience. This hands-on activity helped students further their understanding of citizen science and the important role youth can play in protecting our oceans.

Participants boarded boats for a guided tour of Discovery Bay, where they learned about this body of water and conducted citizen science water quality tests. After the activity, the group gathered in front of the DBML’s mural to commemorate the experience.

Back at the lab, Scientific Officer Ricardo Hickling, a water quality expert, demonstrated how to measure similar parameters—including salinity, water temperature, and DO—using a more advanced instrument called a YSI meter. This sparked an engaging discussion about the differences between testing methods. Students will continue using the EarthEcho kits throughout our journey, comparing water quality across the countries we visit.

On the docks of DBML, students practiced real-world science by testing water quality using EarthEcho kits. The hands-on activity deepened their understanding of marine health and the role youth can play in global citizen science.

After lunch, the students embarked on a snorkeling adventure, with some experiencing it for the first time. Floating above colorful seagrass beds and coral reefs, they saw the marine life they had just learned about, now viewed through the eyes of aspiring scientists.

Before starting, students got a safety briefing from a DBML instructor to get ready for their snorkeling trip. Classroom lessons were made real by observing Jamaica’s lively marine ecosystems firsthand.

Our final educational stop at DBML was the touch tank, an experience I had the privilege of leading. This hands-on activity introduced students to a range of marine organisms from different Jamaican ecosystems, many of which they had never seen, let alone touched, before. Watching their reactions shift from cautious curiosity to enthusiastic engagement was a powerful reminder of how tactile learning can spark lasting interest at any age. It was a meaningful close to our scientific exploration of the day.

Amy Heemsoth, COO and Education Director of the Khaled bin Sultan Living Oceans Foundation, leads an engaging experiential session on marine life at DBML. She introduces youth to a variety of marine species from Jamaican coastal ecosystems. Students get hands-on experience holding and learning about these fascinating creatures, sparking curiosity and connection with marine biodiversity.

Coming up next: Our cultural immersion continues with an evening at the Rastafari Indigenous Village. Stay tuned for Part 2—From Sea to Soul.

After the Storm: Standing with Our J.A.M.I.N. Family in Jamaica

There are moments in this work that feel heartbreakingly familiar.

Two weeks after we completed our Jamaica Awareness of Mangroves in Nature (J.A.M.I.N.) programming, Hurricane Melissa made landfall. A powerful Category 5 hurricane, Melissa is now tied with Hurricane Allen in 1980 for the strongest winds ever recorded in an Atlantic storm. Like Hurricane Dorian, which devastated The Bahamas in 2019, Melissa will be remembered as one of the strongest hurricanes on record in the region.

For 11 years, the University of the West Indies Discovery Bay Marine Laboratory and William Knibb Memorial High School have been more than program partners. They have welcomed us into their classrooms and labs, shared meals and laughter, and committed themselves to educating their students about mangroves and coastal resilience. These colleagues and students are not distant collaborators. They are family.

And they were hit hard…

B.A.M. Turns 10: A Year of Milestones, Resilience, and Growth

The 2025–2026 academic year was one of those defining years for our Bahamas Awareness of Mangroves (B.A.M.) and Jamaica Awareness of Mangroves in Nature (J.A.M.I.N.) programs. It was a year marked by celebration, challenge, growth, and powerful full-circle moments, and a reminder of why mangrove education matters.

In The Bahamas, B.A.M. reached a major milestone: ten years of partnership and environmental education in Abaco. Since 2015, in collaboration with Friends of the Environment, we have worked alongside Patrick J. Bethel High School and Forest Heights Academy to bring hands-on mangrove science into classrooms and into the field. This year, we were proud to expand the program to S.C. Bootle High School, increasing access for students who live…

Related Posts

After the Storm: Standing with Our J.A.M.I.N. Family in Jamaica

B.A.M. Turns 10: A Year of Milestones, Resilience, and Growth