In an effort to remain on the cutting edge of science education, Collins Academy has partnered with Planet Aqua Group for special student-teacher field trips to the Shreveport Aquarium. “Back in August, Director of Operations Adrea Gibbs and Education Manager Kimberly Lobit paid a visit to Jefferson. They had heard about our involvement with the Paddlefish Project and wanted to offer the remodeled Barnwell Center as a venue for Collins Academy’s cadre of public and private school students. Our Conservation Leadership Teams from Jefferson and Queen City have both attended and have academically benefited and greatly enjoyed all the marine displays, the hands-on interactive areas; and the Caddo Lake habitat with its live paddlefish,” stated Gary Endsley, Collins Academy’s director.

An exciting sidebar project has developed between Collins’ Conservation Leadership students and the Aquarium to improve and maintain the Caddo Lake habitat located under the dome. Besides monitoring water quality of the freshwater stream located there, students want to introduce and maintain native plants common to the Caddo Lake ecosystem. “Right now, many of the plant materials are tropical or exotic and do not belong in the Caddo Lake habitat area at all,” added Endsley.

The Shreveport Aquarium provides a detailed look at different marine ecosystems emphasizing the relationships between structure and function of a particular habitat with the adaptations of specific organisms. Displays include a large area for freshwater species depicting the ecology of Caddo Lake. Displays here contain American Paddlefish, common freshwater fish, and another of freshwater turtles.

For group pricing and to arrange a visit, call Kimberly Lobit at (318) 383-0601 or send a message to Kimberly@shreveportaquarium.com .