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EDUCATION

School Trips

EDUCATION MENU

Nancy Binz Memorial MEC Scholarships 2026
Marine Ecology Course (MEC)
Eco-Warrior Challenge 2025

Inspiring the next generation of ocean stewards

It has been proven that childhood experiences with the environment lead to pro environmental behaviour in adulthood. Spending time in nature is also understood to have positive impacts on mental health and happiness, especially for young people. Immersive learning environments outside of the classroom also offer a variety of ways of learning that many students find rewarding and even life-changing.

CCMI’s Marine Ecology Course (MEC) is a three-day/2-night residential experience that provides exactly that type of early marine sustainability education that connects students with the ocean and develops their ocean literacy. The Nancy Binz Memorial MEC Scholarships will allow us to reach more than 400 students for this formative experience.

For many students, this course is their first trip away from home; for some, it’s their first time on an airplane. While at CCMI, they are immersed in and learn about tropical marine biology, ecology, and conservation from the expert marine science educators and researchers,

combining classroom-based instruction with immediate, hands-on field experiences.

Beyond scientific knowledge, the programme supports the development of confidence, curiosity, and environmental responsibility. Students in the MEC are often more willing to try new activities, ask questions, and reflect critically on human impacts on marine and coastal ecosystems, according to feedback from teachers and chaperones.

Expanding our impact

At the Festival of Seas 2025 fundraising gala, CEO Kate Holden launched a key goal for the organisation: to support an entire year group of Caymanian primary school students to attend a three-day, two-night residential MEC at CCMI free of charge, with flights included.

CCMI’s announcement to scale up their contribution to primary school education ties in with the Cayman Islands Government’s new mandate to ensure equitable, quality, modern, accessible, and cultural opportunities within the education sector.

At the 2025 gala, via significant donation from Dart, the generosity of gala attendees, and additional funding provided by some of CCMI’s long-term supporters, the goal to provide these scholarships was met.

From September through November 2026, CCMI will deliver this programme to more than 400 year 6 students from all government schools (plus teachers and chaperones). This will double our education programming in a single year! Thanks to our stakeholders and supporters of this scholarship, CCMI is now the grantor of the largest number of scholarships to Caymanian students.

This scholarship represents an important investment in educating next generation of Caymanians and supporting their connection to our oceans. CCMI will continue to seek long-term funding to ensure this becomes a part of every government school primary student’s educational experience in the Cayman Islands. If you wish to help us achieve our ambitious goal for the 2027-28 year 6 students, please contact us at donations@reefresearch.org.

Help Us Continue Offering Scholarships

Key assessment findings (2025 MECs)

Before the MEC:

81% of students reported feeling excited about swimming or snorkelling, and for 74 % this was identified as their favourite anticipated activity
44% of students reported feeling nervous about swimming or being in the water
22% indicated they were not nervous about anything, while other concerns included the flight, the food, being away from home, or returning home

After the MEC:

37% of students reported feeling proud of entering the water and or overcoming fears related to marine animals
26% expressed pride in participating in the beach clean-up and removing trash from the beach

In response to the question “What do you think are the biggest problems our ocean faces?”:

81% of responses changed between the pre-programme and post-programme assessments. Key themes addressed during the MEC emerged in the post programme responses, including energy use, coral diseases, invasive species, and coral bleaching. Students also demonstrated a greater ability to elaborate on their answers.

Marine Ecology Course (MEC)

COURSE COST: CI $400 per student | CI $275 per chaperone

Join CCMI for our engaging three-day Marine Ecology Courses (MEC), specifically designed for primary and secondary schools throughout the Cayman Islands. For our international educational partners, we provide extended programmes that take your students even deeper into the heart of marine science. Email our team through the BOOK NOW button on the page for more information on international school programmes.

The team at CCMI customizes the course content, ensuring it seamlessly integrates with your curriculum while maximizing the educational value of each student’s time with us. The MEC provides students with a rich immersion into the captivating realms of tropical marine biology, ecology, and conservation, offering a window into one of the world’s most breathtaking coral reefs.

An experience at CCMI is not just about imparting knowledge; our programmes are also designed to cultivate respect for our oceans. Our goal is to inspire a transformation in students’ attitudes and behaviours towards the ocean while they enjoy the spectacular beauty of Little Cayman.

The MEC programme is packed with stimulating activities that include snorkelling, species identification, beach cleanups, field trips to the renowned National Trust Booby Pond, guided tours to see the Sister Islands Rock Iguanas, and even hands-on experience with lionfish dissections. Coupled with a variety of interactive classes, the MEC promises to be an educational journey that students will cherish.

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Eco-Warrior Challenge 2025

In 2025, the Marine Ecology Course (MEC) at the Central Caribbean Marine Institute (CCMI) was made possible through the generous support of the BODA Charitable Star Trust, the Cayman Islands Department of Tourism, Dart, CG Britcay, and KPMG Cayman. With their combined sponsorship, CCMI awarded fully funded class scholarships for four Cayman Islands Government schools (years 5 and 6 classes) to participate in this immersive, three-day residential course at the Little Cayman Research Centre. In total, 76 participants attended the MEC with the scholarship (63 students and 13 chaperones) for this experience in 2025.

Since 2017, the BODA Charitable Star Trust has supported more than 300 students and their chaperones to attend this life-changing experience. In 2024, Dart joining in this programme, helping ensure we continue reaching local students with this important educational opportunity. We now welcome KPMG, CG BritCay, and the Cayman Islands Department of Tourism as other corporate sponsors in our effort to promote ocean literacy in Cayman.

Eco-Warrior Challenge 2025: Sustaining What Sustains Us

To select the four classes for these scholarships, CCMI hosted the 2025 Eco-Warrior Challenge, inviting students in years 5 & 6 in Cayman Islands Government schools to imagine their home through the lens of sustainability, creativity, and stewardship. Inspired by the global World Ocean Day theme “Wonder: Sustaining What Sustains Us,” students engaged in a fun, hands-on project titled: Sustaining What Sustains Us.

The challenge: Design Your Own Sustainable Island

Complete the Eco-Warrior Challenge:

Each participating class was tasked with designing their own 100% sustainable island, envisioning a place where people and nature live in harmony. This imaginative and creative task merged environmental science with innovation, teamwork, and Caymanian pride.

A panel of judges from CCMI and the programme sponsors reviewed applications in early October and selected the top entries from Cayman government school classes, who travelled to Little Cayman on an all-expenses-paid class trip to spend three action-packed days on our outstanding MEC in Little Cayman!

I’d like information on supporting a class scholarship

Eco-Warrior 2025 Challenge Intro Video

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CCMI was very fun, and we did a lot of snorkelling, and we learnt and saw really cool things. I think that every school in the Cayman Islands should do a CCMI trip because it is beneficial to our learning and very fun.

Delaney McTaaggert

Cayman Prep MEC student

It was AMAZING! I loved the snorkelling especially the one at Cumbers. The campfire was really fun as well. The food was delicious. I didn’t want to leave. Thanks, CCMI.

Sivaanaa

St-Ignatius MEC student 2023

“As an educator, I cannot overstate how effective your teaching methodology was. The ability to connect lectures directly to in-nature experiences is pedagogy at its best. Students weren’t just memorizing information – they were experiencing it, questioning it, and internalizing it in ways that will last a lifetime.”

Carol-Anne Taylor-Rouse,

Joanna Clarke Primary Teacher, Year 5

“My CCMI trip was very educational, where I got to learn about marine life, how it is important to take care of our corals, and how they are living creatures. How it only takes one person to make a difference.”

Jaydan

East End Primary School student

“The trip was an exciting and unforgettable experience. Our students learned so much about marine ecosystems, conservation, and sustainability through hands-on activities such as snorkelling, species identification, and learning directly from knowledgeable and passionate marine scientists.”

Samantha Ferguson

Creek and Spot Bay Primary Teacher, Year 6

All CCMI staff, interns, and volunteers who work with minors have been trained and certified through the Cayman Islands Government – Child Protection Unit Training, Second Step: Child Safeguarding Programme and/or Darkness to Light – Child Safeguard Training.

This programme outlines the responsibilities of the Cayman Islands Government and public officials to protect and safeguard children and young people. A Safe Environment Policy helps prevent situations in which children are at an increased risk for abuse because of the physical characteristics of a building. A safe environment is one that increases visibility, ensures adequate supervision and controls access. The Ministry of Education is committed to working with the Department of Education Services (DES) and schools or education institutions to develop welcoming, supportive and inclusive learning environments that promote the well-being of all students and staff. The Ministry of Education wishes to promote a ‘spirit’ of child protection and establish the baseline expectation of supervision of students. The Safe Environment Policy dictates what the responsibilities of staff are in protecting and perpetuating a safe environment for students.

All CCMI staff, interns, and volunteers who work with minors have also been trained and certified in First-Aid, CPR & AED delivery, and water-related emergency management.

For further information on CCMI education staff, interns, or volunteer training please contact our education team: education@reefresearch.org