Click here to Jump to Main Content

Ohio Sea Grant College Program
and Stone Laboratory

Ohio Sea Grant and Stone Laboratory

Tours

This summer, make plans to tour two Put-in-Bay landmarks - Gibraltar Island and the South Bass Island Lighthouse. Discover the area's rich history and learn about current Lake Erie research. Gibraltar Island is the home of Stone Laboratory, The Ohio State University's Island Campus, and the unique Cooke Castle. The South Bass Island Lighthouse offers a window to a world gone-by and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Learn more about these tours!

Science Workshop Program

Students from grades four through adults can take custom-designed field trips and workshops at Stone Lab. The program offers activities ranging from water sampling on a research vessel, to identifying microscopic aquatic organisms and dissecting fish in a lab. Groups have the option to schedule a one-day workshop or stay overnight on the island for a two-day workshop.

Virtual Workshops

Excite your science class without leaving the classroom! Staff from Stone Lab on Lake Erie's Gibraltar Island can guide students in a 45-minute class with live demonstrations about life in the lake. Topics include fish dissection, macro invertebrate identification, and plankton collection.

Grades 4 - Adult

SCIENCE FIELD TRIPS provide students hands-on experiences by applying basic science concepts to Lake Erie ecology. Accommodating 175 groups and over 5,500 individuals annually, Stone Lab’s science workshop program offers a variety of activities, ranging from water sampling on a research vessel on the lake to identifying microscopic aquatic organisms and dissecting fish in a lab. These field trips meet many of the Ohio Academic Content Standards for Science (view link for specific grade levels). Groups have the option to schedule a one-day workshop or stay overnight for a two-day workshop from mid-April through October.

Workshops and Field Trips

Scheduled activities for all workshops conducted by Stone Laboratory staff consist of:

  • a two-hour science cruise aboard the Motor Vessels (M/V) BioLab or Gibraltar III during which a resident scientist demonstrates the study of water quality, plankton, benthos, and fish using various sensors, samplers, and trawls.
  • a two-hour laboratory session to examine and identify collected and preserved specimens.
  • specialized island activities, such as invertebrate walk, bird walk, exotic species slide show, seining, or edible plant walk.
  • Ohio standards-based learning. See the Ohio Academic Content Standards for Science for grade level standards.

We can provide laboratory equipment, space, and audio-visual equipment to meet the needs of groups who wish to participate in special projects not included in the regular program of events.

Maximum Numbers

Stone Laboratory can accommodate groups of up to 76 for one-day and two-day workshops. Groups may schedule a one-day workshop or may choose to plan their activities over a two-day period, utilizing the Stone Laboratory Housing & Food Service staff. A minimum of two chaperones (responsible for student behavior) per 15 students is required. Chaperones are not charged lab fees but will be charged for meals and housing.

Workshop Calendar

The Science Workshop Program is offered from mid-April through early June and September through October. Activities from mid-June through August may be requested, but are limited to small groups because of the University’s summer instructional program.