by Brooke Knapick, Director of Educational Program Development
The Wetlands Institute is proud to host Cheyenne Hamby as an Aquarium Intern. Cheyenne is a senior at Lower Cape May Regional High School (LCMR) and a participant in the final year of their Structured Learning Experience Program. Since September, as part of her academic schedule, Cheyenne has been gaining hands-on experience working in our Secrets of the Salt Marsh Aquarium two afternoons a week. During her time at The Wetlands Institute, Cheyenne has been learning how to feed animals, clean and maintain saltwater and turtle tanks, assist with exhibit maintenance, collect food and display animals, and perform other essential functions. Below is a brief interview with Cheyenne that explores her passion for marine science and her experience here at The Wetlands Institute.
Q: What interests you the most in marine science?
A: I am most interested in learning more about the individual species and the things that make them unique because they are so vastly different but so similar too. It’s fascinating!
Q: What are your plans for after graduation?
A: After graduation, I plan to go to Texas A&M University at Galveston for Ocean Engineering, and then hopefully pursing my doctorate degree also in Ocean Engineering.
Q: What do you hope to take away from this experience?
A: I would love to take away a lot of the knowledge that I have learned about our oceans and overall everything that I have learned about the {salt marsh} environment.
Q: What is your favorite marine animal?
A: Oh, tough question! Why would you do this to me?! {laughs and contemplates} The blue whale because they are so large and majestic.