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Marine Ecology Course (MEC)
Eco-Warrior Challenge

Marine Ecology Course (MEC)

COURSE COST: CI $410 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.

download the mec brochure

download school flyer

BOOK NOW

Eco-Warrior Challenge

Win an all-expenses paid Marine Ecology Course for your class!

Thanks to the generous support of the BODA Charitable Star Trust, Cayman Islands Department of Tourism, Dart, CG BritCay, and KPMG, CCMI will award FOUR full scholarships to attend an all-expenses-paid Marine Ecology Course (MEC) at CCMI to classes or after-school clubs from government primary schools in the Cayman Islands (airfare included). Classes or clubs from years 5 and 6 are invited to apply.

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: Sustaining What Sustains Us

This year’s Eco-Warrior Challenge invites 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 will engage 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 will imagine and design their own 100% sustainable island, envisioning a place where people and nature live in harmony. This imaginative and creative task merges environmental science with innovation, teamwork, and Caymanian pride.

Submission guidelines:

A creative name for the island
A flag, logo, or motto that reflects the island’s eco-friendly values
Create a hand-drawn map of your island or a physical 3D model of the island’s layout using materials and methods of their choice
Notes that describe how each feature supports environmental protection and sustainability

A panel of judges from CCMI and the programme sponsors will review all applications in early October and select the top entries from Cayman government school classes, who will win an all-expenses-paid class trip to spend three action-packed days on our outstanding MEC in Little Cayman! Entries will be judged on the following:

Sustainable features (50 points)
Creativity and presentation (30 points)
Environment and community values (10 points)
Explanation and storytelling (10 points)

Get full challenge information, including application submission checklist and the judging criteria, in our informative TEACHER’S PACK.

DOWNLOAD TEacher’s Packet

Fillable PDF application

I’d like information on supporting a class scholarship

Eco-Warrior Challenge intro

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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

I believe that this programme is significant and crucial. We must keep educating our children in every way possible because they are the ones that can start from now to make the biggest positive change and impact. My time at CCMI is always enriching and inspiring. I always learn something new or am reminded of something I’d forgotten and leave with a renewed intention to do my part.

Miss Birch

Cayman Prep Chaperone

A once in a lifetime trip to the most inspiring place on Earth.

Head of Biology

Malvern College

The best school trip I have ever been on in 25 years of teaching.

Giles Hopkirk

Geography Teacher, Malvern College UK School

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