The Athenian School
March Term 15th-23rd, 2025
The Mission :
Networked Open SciencE
& Coral Restoraion
Orientation night
students & Families
Wed., October 30th
The MISSION: Coral Reef Restoration
Students on this expedition learn the techniques needed to work in a coral nursery and how to out plant coral on a restored reef. Students who complete the training will earn a coral reef restoration certification allowing them to work on restoration projects around the world.
The MISSION: Networked Open Science
Students on this expedition will be trained as research divers, completing multiple surveys during the trip. One of these surveys will be at a smart data buoy deployed to advance ocean sampling. Students will assist with the updates to the hardware, and pair indicator species data to the site.
WHALEFALL is a nonprofit organization that connects a global student network to leaders in climate action, advancing real solutions and real impact through project-based learning.
At WHALEFALL, we believe in a world where students from across the globe come together as a unified force, harnessing their collective knowledge and passion to tackle real environmental challenges. Our mission is to inspire the next generation to lead purposeful lives dedicated to preserving and enhancing our planet's ecosystems. Just as a whalefall enriches the deep-sea environment, our network empowers students to collaborate on impactful solutions that sustainably nurture and protect the natural world for generations to come.
Training & Certifications
-
Open Water Diver Track
Students who are not yet scuba certified divers will be on the Open Water Diver track. Open Water Certification will be issued as a pre-requisite to the research diver training & coral restoration training and certification course.
-
Advanced Diver Track
Previously scuba certified students will be on the Advanced Diver track. These students will complete additional training in research diving, night diving, nitrox, and deep diving. Divers with 25 dives will also earn an Advanced Diver certification with four specialty certifications.
Optional Nitrox Diver Course
Diving nitrox is highly recommended on all expeditions. The higher percentage of oxygen means less nitrogen in your gas mixes. Less micro bubbles of nitrogen is always going to be be a positive thing. The only downside of diving nitrox is the added gas fill cost, up to $150 for all the dives on the trip. Advanced divers are enrolled in the nitrox course including two nitrox dives around the deep water training. Open water students have the option to enroll in the Nitrox course for an additional certification. (additional nitrox fills, not included, paid to the local dive center at checkout)
Local Students from Sandy Bay, Roatán
WHALEFALL has been training local students from Sandy Bay Lighthouse Ministries orphanage and school to become research divers and dive masters, allowing the local community to monitor the health of their own reef, restore their own coral, and develop new career opportunities. A WHALEFALL nonprofit campaign started by The Athenian School teacher, Bruce Hamren and family, for the students in Roatan is currently raising funds so students from Athenian and Roatan can train together on the trip.
Pre-Trip Training
Maire ID Online Training
-
The Roatán fish ID eLearning will be sent out to students when the final roster is complete. The program will be on the Area9 Platform. The online training will take approx. 4 hours. If you would like to learn even more fish, please reach out for bonus material.
-
Your instructional staff has access to your eLearning progress. You do not need to submit the final exam for this part of the training.
-
Scuba eLearning & Review
-
Students will be assigned a unique code to redeem on the SDI website page: www.tdisdi.com/elearning.
Open Water Track students will receive 1 online code. (2 if enrolled in the optional nitrox course)
Advanced Track students will receive a nitrox, night, and deep diving code.
The online training will take approx. 8 hours. All online training is due by Feb. 28th, 2025.
-
Please upload a signed copy of your final exam for each online training here.
Please upload the final exam you sign and not the certificate from SDI. Example
-
Enter your unique elearning code at: http://www.tdisdi.com/elearning
OPEN WATER
Oliver 5P5ELEHZU2U6EVNQCF
Rui Jie Jerry 3CZUK9FRG3DT4T84A5
KaiNu P630TIV9TL3NXZ2NNJ
Alexa 8I4AI4G7E79KT3LNJM
Daniel G1U7365207ZLU78LAG
Gia 5BRLI7F9NFNUL4ZGPN
Simon TVGMKSWRKN7TX5UUUD
Alex NSX8XQ35SXFB26UPJ4
Grayson BL5EL5JCMM155UM84R
Anya JNCYYM8PZOTVDBPE4B
Arjun IURDSWFVFIQIKVAXEU
Wyatt LDQJNQCC6ICC0S17CH
William ZMOEGO3ONOAVVMNWBF
Michael 7IOYLD0TAYGL7RC3MT
Riley GLFL5ZBZLVGSZ0SPAP
Tyler GO8N0HF5AJAJ3EMYDV
ADVANCED
Malcolm
Nitrox: M79BCL0DC4SABZVSCS
Night: 5THP6YZHFKSDDS2SWX
Deep: 26A2BDBEB27FC4083E
Hannah
Nitrox: 19DJ3W6T9X8GR2HW59
Night: 539HYLSV5A0L03KVZ3
Deep: DeeP507688ADE2A114E45E
Luke
Nitrox: C1PGUL0NY16GSC05R7
Night: U2PRY0130NMF54PG7N
Deep: E46D99875EC357DA23
Ally
Nitrox: C7KKLIHV6QRGYRL979
Night: W74D8707P273BFJUX6
Deep: 2780JMSZ0N47ERP6GK
Ava
Nitrox: QMFS8WE5920JUTA05K
Night: QFKQCIY1CT1ARJ6UFC
Deep: 079K6Z1X1Y0DKJYKYS
Austen
Nitrox: 5KZ3XMGHRKVVND452Q
Night: 1A8C961ENUTZFEIQ6S
Deep: BN1Y6Z5YTA63FBWNW
Dive Equipment
-
Rental scuba gear
The following equipment is included in the price of the expedition: Research Diving Equipment, Underwater Camera, 3mm Wetsuit, BCD, Regulator, Dive Computer, and Underwater Lights for advanced track students. Tanks and Weights will be available on location. Students & families are responsible for the replacement value if lost or damaged.
-
Essential Gear for Purchase
Students need to have essential basic dive equipment. Gear is available through partner dive centers for students at a discounted rate.
Essential dive gear includes a mask, snorkel, fins, boots, mesh bag, and surface marker buoy.
REEF SAFE SUNSCREEN
All sunscreen needs to be mineral based, free of any “benzo” chemicals.
DIVE LOG SYSTEM
Students are required to have a log system in place before Roatán. Smart phone apps are acceptable, even an excel do will work, but paper log books are a nice simple way to log dives on waterproof paper.
Ear SprAY
Towards the end of a dive week some students feel ear irritation and discomfort. Mineral oil sprays cover the outer ear canals with a waterproof protective film to avoid ear-related problems.
Trip Details
INCLUDED IN THE TRIP
-
Field Research Program
Bay Islands Reef Restoration Course
Resort Accommodations & Transportation
3 meals daily & snack bar
Airfare
Boat Dives
Scuba Equipment Rental (Not including basic diver package)
Complimentary wireless internet access
Sloth & Monkey Sanctuary Tour
Dive Training & Certification
LOCAL INFO
-
POWER: The Resort has 110V US compatible plugs
INTERNET: the resort has wireless internet access in rooms and common areas
CURRENCY: Honduran lempira is the official currency. Many shops will accept USD or credit card for items like ice cream, snacks, or souvenirs.
FRESH WATER: All the water at the resort restaurant is filtered. Bottled water will be available in the rooms, please bring a water bottle you can fill up to avoid plastic bottles.
The meal plan includes three meals per day. Some students bring extra cash or a credit card to stock up on snacks and drinks for their rooms.
Don’t Forget
-
Passport
Reef Safe Sunscreen
A Dive Log System
(Expiration date more than six months from trip)
Certification Card - Advanced Divers
Chargers and/or extra batteries for computers, lights, and cameras
A lightweight rain jacket for the occasional tropical storm
-
Please submit your paperwork by Jan. 14th, 2025
Decompression Day
Diving requires a 24 hour surface interval before flying home. Often a highlight of the trip, Athenian students will visit a local sloth & monkey sanctuary for rescued animals in Honduras.
All webpage photos provided from the 2019 Athenian expedition to Roatán.