Woodridge Teen Pursues Marine Biology Dream in the Bahamas

Morgan Meyer wasn’t sure what she’d find when her group set their square, PVC pipe quadrat down on a little rock island in the Bahamas, but she soon discovered there were more species present than she’d thought could possibly live there.

A rising senior at Downers Grove South High School, Meyer was one of 20 students accepted into the Shedd Aquarium’s High School Marine Biology program this year.

She was searching for summer job opportunities at the Shedd when she learned about the program. An application, a couple essays and an interview later, Meyer learned she’d made the cut, and she was headed to orientation.

The students got to know one another and were assigned research projects. They began planning a the week-long adventure in Bimini, Bahamas.

Meyer’s project involved hermit crabs and tidal pools. She learned about using a quadrat, which is a 1-foot-by-1-foot square pipe box placed on tide pools to take count of how many species are in an area.

“Our trip was incredible, it was like nothing you’d ever see while living in Chicago or the Midwest,” Meyer said. “It opened my eyes to all the possibilities I could have for my future.”

From July 1 to 8, the students snorkeled several times a day, they swam with stingrays and touched sharks. Meyer was particularly excited about the sharks, since she wants to study them in her future marine biology career.

Back on the dry land of Chicago, Meyer and the other students are collaborating this week at the Shedd to put together the information they learned through the separate projects.

Meyer takes the train from her home in Woodridge to the Shedd with her friends from the program.

“When I met these kids, I was so interested and happy to know I could talk to them about what I’m interested in,” Meyer said. “Other kids can’t talk about sharks like I can. I feel like I’ve made 19 other best friends who have shown me what friendship can be like.”

After the program ends, Meyer said she’d like to get a job at the Shedd. She wants to attend the University of Tampa for college, where she plans to continue studying marine biology.

“More people should get invovled in programs like this and be aware of opportunities like this out there,” she said. ”I won’t forget this trip for the rest of my life.”

Photos courtesy of Morgan Meyer.