Save Mobile Bay - STEM+M to the Rescue!

In the aftermath of a huge storm, Mobile Bay is littered with debris and runoff. Wildlife is affected, oyster beds are threatened, and neighborhoods report standing water and health issues. Students are the STEM+M Task Force. Their mission? Investigate. Solve. Report. Mobile Bay and the surrounding area are counting on you!

SCIENCE STATION - Water Quality Testing - Evonik

The floodwaters may have carried oil, chemicals, and other hazardous materials into our waterways. As members of the Contaminant Control Team, students will become environmental scientists, testing water samples to uncover what’s really in the runoff flowing toward Mobile Bay. Using simple tools and test kits, students will check for signs of pollution, such as pH imbalances, oil traces, or other harmful substances. They’ll learn how scientists use data to protect both wildlife and local communities from dangerous contamination. By identifying threats early, the team helps keep the bay clean and safe for everyone.

TECH STATION - App Design - USA School of Computing

Animals across the Gulf Coast are displaced, and some may be injured or sick. As part of the App Alert Team, students will step into the role of digital first responders by imagining, designing, and prototyping a tracking app that helps rescue teams respond quickly and effectively. This phone app will allow everyday citizens to report stranded or injured animals by marking their location, describing the animal, and even uploading a photo. Students will use design-thinking skills to plan how the app will look and work, just like real tech developers and wildlife rescuers do. By creating this digital tool, they will help protect wildlife and expedite response efforts after a storm, ensuring Mobile Bay and the Gulf Coast remain safe for both animals and people.

ENGINEERING STATION - Reef Revival - Alabama Coastal Foundation

The storm stirred up sediment and damaged important oyster reefs along the coast. These reefs protect our shorelines, filter water, and provide homes for marine life. As members of the Reef Revival Crew, students will learn how oyster reefs are built and why they are vital to the health of Mobile Bay. Students will help design and assemble mock oyster reef structures. They will explore how reefs reduce erosion, improve water quality, and support biodiversity after a storm. By rebuilding the reef, they’ll play a key role in restoring the natural defenses in Mobile Bay and keeping our coastal ecosystems strong.

MATH STATION - Street Cleaning - Math Circle

The storm has left our streets filled with debris that will quickly travel through storm drains, creeks, and rivers, eventually ending up in Mobile Bay and beyond, where it can harm dolphins, turtles, and fish. Students will become members of the Watershed Warriors and use an Euler path to help plan their cleanup route. By using this strategy, they will create efficient routes to ensure that no street is missed and no time is wasted, just like real city planners and environmental scientists do. By clearing debris before it gets washed away, they’ll be protecting the entire Mobile Bay watershed and the animals who call it home!

MEDICAL STATION - Marine Animal Rescue - Dauphin Island Sea Lab

A report of two stranded bottlenose dolphins and a Kemp's Ridley sea turtle has just come in. The Alabama Marine Mammal Stranding Network has dispatched a team to help and assess these animals! As members of the stranding network, students will learn about the protocols used to keep these animals as healthy as possible and about how the Marine Mammal Stranding team assesses injured animals.