Hear It From Our Students!

Summer 2025

Asher Banos
Kutztown University

How was your experience at the field station?
Amazing! I loved getting out in the field and getting my hands dirty. I got to work with amazing people and learned what to expect in a field-based job. It opened up my eyes and prepared me for a job I want in the future.

What is your favorite part about the field station?
The people. Not just the students, but the staff. I felt like I was home in a way, I never felt like I was somewhere I wasn't welcome.​

Mackenzie Douglas
Millersville University

What aspects of this course were most useful or valuable?
Getting the hands-on experience with the marine life.

What was the most valuable thing you learned?
Learning how to identify different marine fish.

What was your favorite organism you found while you were here?
A butterfly ray.​

Where was your favorite place to spend time when you weren't in class?
The beach!

​Sydney Benbow
​Millersville University

What has been your favorite class so far? Why?
Field Methods in Oceanography, because I enjoyed going on different cruises to apply the information from class, I also enjoyed going to the beach for beach profiling.

What was the most valuable thing you learned?
The expectation for field reports and the usage, operation, and understanding of scientific instruments, and the data from those instruments.
​

Zoë Nogle
Millersville University

Where was your favorite place to spend time when you weren't in class?
I loved going to the lounge and playing card games, chatting, or watching movies with my friends.

Were classes at the field station mandatory for you? Do you like this?
Yes, they were mandatory, and I do like this. I think it’s extremely important to have that experience because bio labs are intended to teach you how to do real science, and the field station is just that for marine/environmental science.

Emma Clause
East Stroudsburg University

What was your favorite organism you found while you were here?
The stargazer fish​.

What was your favorite trip?
My favorite was the boat trips when we trawled.

What is your favorite part about the field station?
The community of friends you make​.

Zachary Donaldson
​Slippery Rock University

What has been your favorite class so far? Why?
Marine Biology! Dr. Smyth made it a hard but fun and engaging class.

What aspects of this course were most useful or valuable?
I got to see a bit of everything marine/coastal related that I wouldn’t have otherwise.

What is your favorite part about the field station?
You're forced to get to know classmates and nature in a deeper manner than usual.

Alana Melendez
Millersville University

What was the most valuable thing you learned?
Identification and lab techniques.

What has been your favorite class so far? Why?
Marine invertebrates, because of all the trips we took!

What was your favorite organism you found while you were here?
Planarian or sea urchin​.

What was your favorite trip? (Boat, marsh, beach, etc.)
The trip out on the bay on the RS Slover for my Biological Oceanography class.

Keagan Downes
Binghamton University

What has been your favorite class so far?
Marine Mycology

What aspects of this course were most useful or valuable?
Learning how to conduct research and learning about a whole new Kingdom of living creatures!

What was the most valuable thing you learned?
That I truly enjoy research!​

Delaney O'Brien
Kutztown University

What has been your favorite class so far? Why?
Field Methods in Oceanography, because it gave me valuable lifelong information on field skills with different equipment.

How was your experience at the field station?
My experience at the field station was character-developing. I had to learn how to work with new people in a new environment with new equipment in a short period of time.​

What is your favorite part about the field station?
Meeting new people from so many different places!

Madison Brown
Kutztown University 

What has been your favorite class so far? Why?
Coral Reef Ecology, because it was a once in a lifetime experience.

Were classes at the field station mandatory for you? Do you like this?
Yes. I am grateful they were because it made me more sure about my career goals.

What is your favorite part about the field station?
My favorite part about the field station is the ability to study with your friends late at night in the lounge or in the classrooms. I also like how close to town and the beach we are.

Shelby Anderson
East Stroudsburg University

What has been your favorite class so far? Why?
Marine Ecology, because we got to do field work and learn about the salt marshes around the Delmarva area.

What aspects of this course were most useful or valuable?
Learning to take field notes.

Were classes at the field station mandatory for you? Do you like this?
Yes, I enjoy this because it gives me an opportunity to do field work and meet other people that could help me in the future.​

Katie Gavek
Commonwealth University,
​Lock Haven

What was your favorite organism you found while you were here?
My favorite organism out of all my classes was the bottlenose dolphins because I love dolphins, and getting to see the dolphins up close was amazing!

What is your favorite part about the field station?
My favorite part about the field station was the college environment. I was able to have independence and bond with other people my age every year that I came to Chincoteague. I love having relaxing bonfires some evenings and exploring different restaurants on the island.​

Kennedy Brown
Pennsylvania Western University,
​Clarion Campus

Were classes at the field station mandatory for you? If they were not mandatory, why did you choose to come?
The classes at the field station were not required for me. I chose to come because I know that this type of experience and fieldwork is something I want to pursue later in my desired career. Going to the field station and speaking to those with similar goals and professions felt like the perfect opportunity for me.

What was the most valuable thing you learned?
The most valuable thing I learned is that a positive attitude is critical. Fieldwork can be exhausting, things can not go as planned, and sometimes you learn on-site. Staying positive helped me get through every day and enjoy every single second to the fullest.​

Brandon Blackie
Millersville University

What has been your favorite class so far? Why?
Behavioral ecology due to the field experiences.

What aspects of this course were most useful or valuable?
The field experiences allowed us to understand the process of monitoring animal behavior and learning more about those processes.​

​What was the most valuable thing you learned?
It takes patience to learn more about the world around us.​

Summer 2024

Madelyn Trout
East Stroudsburg University

​How was your experience at the field station?
My experience was overall amazing, I was nervous at first, but it turned out great. I met amazing people, leaders, and teachers. The field work was incredible, and I got to see organisms I’ve never seen hands on before. The planned events by CBFS also were great as it brought the other classes and topics together.
​
What is your favorite part about the field station?         
My favorite part is the community feelings since everyone is in close quarters and the planned events. I feel as though there’s always help for you if you need it.

Paige DeGreen
Millersville University

What has been your favorite class so far? Why?
I really enjoyed my ichthyology course this summer. I’m an animal lover and we caught so much organisms when we went trawling.

How was your experience at the field station?
It was wonderful!! Everyone there creates such a friendly environment!!!​
​
What was the most valuable thing you learned? That not everything goes as you would like it in field work and you have to adapt.

Simon Ernst
Kutztown University

What has been your favorite class so far? Why?
​Biology of Mollusks, due to its heavy emphasis on exploration of environments, and mollusk are just super cool!

What was your favorite trip?    
Trawling in Queen’s Sound probably! (Honorable mention to cruise out past the Chesapeake Bay, because that was the furthest I’ve ever been on a boat!)
​
Where was your favorite place to spend time when you weren't in class?
​The beach at Tom’s Cove

​Melena Eagle
​East Stroudsburg University

How was your experience at the field station?
My experience was overall amazing, I was nervous at first, but it turned out great. I met amazing people, leaders, and teachers. The field work was incredible, and I got to see organisms I’ve never seen hands on before. The planned events by CBFS also were great as it brought the other classes and topics together.

What is your favorite part about the field station?         
My favorite part is the community feelings since everyone is in close quarters and the planned events. I feel as though there’s always help for you if you need it.
​
What was your favorite organism you found while you were here?        
My favorite organism was the Comb Jelly and it was so cool to hold it and see the ctenes moving but also the bioluminescence at night.

Jordyn Drager
​East Stroudsburg University

What has been your favorite class so far?
Invertebrate Zoology

Were classes at the field station mandatory for you? Do you like this? If they were not mandatory, why did you choose to come?           
Yes, I am glad we have required courses because being in PA we do not have many opportunities to get field work done.
​
What was the most valuable thing you learned?
 It was not an actual lesson from class, but to take time to embrace what’s around you. This was so inspirational and I loved being in VA so much.

Louise Passarelli
Millersville University

What was your favorite trip?
I loved it all. It was my first time on a boat and my first time kayaking. I enjoyed the view of the marsh and the beach was beautiful.

What was the most valuable thing you learned?
The most valuable thing I learned was sampling techniques used to identify plant species in a marsh.
​
What has been your favorite class so far?
Wetlands with Dr. Weaver

Yvonne Castin
Kutztown University

What was the most valuable thing you learned?            
I learned how to better work with others, as well as how to handle field research and experiments within a lab setting.

What is your favorite part about the field station?
The people and bonding experiences you get while there. It is a chance to get better acquainted with those who you may go to school with, as well as find other people from other schools and meet them as well.
​
What is your favorite place to eat on the island?
Captain Zack's or the Ropewalk

Elizabeth Ranf
Slippery Rock University

What has been your favorite class so far? Why? 
Marine Biology. Wide variety of topics, great professor (Dr. Smyth) and fun trips.

How was your experience at the field station?
10/10 I loved it. I learned more in a summer then I have in 3 years of school.
​
What was your favorite organism you found while you were here?        
Striped Burrfish

Katie Gavek
​Commonwealth University - Lock Haven

What was the most valuable thing you learned?
The most valuable thing I learned was identification and classification of certain marine species. My professor was very knowledgeable and was able to identify almost everything we came across. I learned tips and tricks on how to identify certain species without using a book to help me.

What has been your favorite class so far? Why?
My favorite class was Marine Ecology in the Summer of 2023. This was my first field work experience with a chance to get my hands dirty and do research on marine organisms. I loved getting to meet new people and getting a chance to not only do field work but to also get a chance to explore Chincoteague with the new friends I met!

Kimberly Gildea
East Stroudsburg University

Were classes at the field station mandatory for you? If they were not mandatory why did you choose to come?           
Classes at the field station were mandatory for me, and I’m so glad they were. It allowed me to gain so much hands on experience in marine ecosystems despite going to college in Pennsylvania.

What was the most valuable thing you learned?            
The most valuable thing I learned was various methods of surveying and estimating species’ population sizes.

What was your favorite trip? 
My favorite trip was going out on the boat to trawl. You’re able to see so many different kinds of organisms in one trip.

Sydnie Sholl
Kutztown University

​What aspects of this course were most useful or valuable?     
Excel graphing and using the RV Fay Slover at ODU.

Were classes at the field station mandatory for you? Do you like this? If they were not mandatory why did you choose to come?           
Yes, I think this is a good thing as it gets you out of your comfort zone and allows for other opportunities.

What has been your favorite class so far?
​Field methods in oceanography

Nicole O’Connor
​Shippensburg University

Page McGovern
Shippensburg University

Rys Lyons
Commonwealth University - Lock Haven

What was the most valuable thing you learned?            
The most valuable thing I learned was how to conduct research and be apart of a research team.

What was your favorite trip?
I really enjoyed being in the boats trawling/looking for dolphins and finding little animals. I also enjoyed kayaking.

What is your favorite place to eat on the island?
I really liked the Island Creamery, Ropewalk, and Sandy Pony Donuts.

What has been your favorite class so far? Why?
Coastal and Marine Mycology! I had never taken a course like this before, so it helped introduce me to the world of fungi and how abundant and important they are!

What aspects of this course were most useful or valuable?
Honestly everything, but if I have to pick, learning how to properly collect and document our specimens in the field as well as how to use resources such as books, peer reviewed articles, iNaturalist, lab equipment, and much more to further analyze and possibly even identify our specimens has been extremely valuable.

Were classes at the field station mandatory for you? Do you like this? If they were not mandatory why did you choose to come?
Not mandatory, I thought having the experience would be significantly helpful for my future classes and endeavors, and it seemed fun.

What was the most valuable thing you learned?
 How to properly take field notes.
​
What is your favorite place to eat on the island?
 Island Creamery for sure.

Marianna Dalglish 
Binghamton University

Were classes at the field station mandatory for you? Do you like this? If they were not mandatory why did you choose to come?
Classes at the field station were not mandatory. I took Marine Biology with Dr. Symth. I chose to come because of the field experience this class offered.

How was your experience at the field station?
Overall, the experience was great. I enjoyed the education offered and the campus was well suited for a summer class. 

​Kayla Correll 
​East Stroudsburg University

What has been your favorite class so far? Why?
My favorite class was Marine Biology. It was the first class I took at the field station and the whole class became so close! I enjoyed getting to experience new things with my new friends and Dr. Smyth!

What was your favorite trip?
My favorite trip was getting to go to horseshoe crab tagging in Delaware. It was super late, but it was such an amazing experience!

Where was your favorite place to spend time when you weren't in class?
The beach with my friends/classmates! 

Tyler Scheirer
Kutztown University

What was your favorite trip? 
Personally I don’t know if I could pick a trip as my favorite as they were all the same equally important in my mind but if I had to choose it would be between the boat trip where we did an otter trawl and the wallops island trip.

What is your favorite place to eat on the island? On the island I really liked steamers they had good food and great prices.

Where was your favorite place to spend time when you weren't in class?
My favorite place to spend time outside of class was Memorial Park fishing pier, Tom’s Cove, Queens Sound, and Ocean Deli.

Elliana Euclide
Kutztown University

Trace Ritchey
HACC/ Kutztown University

Bradley Thornton
Millersville University

What was the most valuable thing you learned?
That you won't always find something. Even though you might need things or are expecting things, it might not always happen. AND IT IS OKAY.
​
What has been your favorite class so far? Why?
Invertebrate Zoology because of all the fun field things we did and saw.

What was your favorite trip?
Boat trip on the Fay Slover with Field Methods. I have never been on a boat like that and haven't been on the water for that long doing those things. It was very cool.

What has been your favorite class so far?
Intro to Oceanography, it gave me a basics course that I can use in more specified fields. And gave me an introduction to field work which I loved, even if it wasn’t the nicest day out

What aspects of this course were most useful or valuable?
Field work definitely. The hands on experience is necessary for going into science.
​
What is your favorite place to eat on the island?
Ocean Deli was a big favorite.

What has been your favorite class so far? Why?
Marine Ichthyology because I have a big interest in fish and in that class I got to learn a lot about the behavior of fish and how to identify many species.

What aspects of this course were most useful or valuable?     
Learning about their behavior

Rachel Pitt
Binghamton University

Zachary Donaldson
Slippery Rock University

What aspects of this course were most useful or valuable?
When you take a course that has 15 weeks of material in 3 weeks, you eat, sleep, and breathe the material. When I wasn't studying for the next quiz, I was in the field observing the organisms and ecosystems I was learning about. This was incredibly useful and helped solidify my understanding of marine biology.

Were classes at the field station mandatory for you? Do you like this? If they were not mandatory why did you choose to come?
Classes at the field station were not mandatory for me. I chose to come because I knew I wanted to go into biological research, but I wasn't sure for what. I wanted to explore all my options and marine biology has always interested me.

What is your favorite part about the field station?
Without a doubt it was the friends I made.

What is your favorite part about the field station?         
Being part of a non-traditional classroom that gets to go outside.

Were classes at the field station mandatory for you? Do you like this?
They were “mandatory” in the sense that I needed them for my minor, however they were also the reason I selected the minor, because I wanted to learn about marine science and be in the field without having to dedicate my career to it.
​
What is your favorite place to eat on the island?            
More so drink than eat but Slack Tide coffee co.

What was your favorite organism you found while you were here?        
Either the crabs (mainly ghost and blue) or the plover

Summer 2023

Ashlyn Augustine
East Stroudsburg University

What has been your favorite class so far? Why?
Coral reef ecology because obviously...
​HONDURAS
​
What aspects of this course were most useful or valuable?
​​The dives . It helped me become a better diver. Also, all the material we went over before the trip... I know more than 180 species now.

Erin Melcher
Slippery Rock University

What has been your favorite class so far? Why?
My favorite class was Marine Ecology which I took here, and it was so fun being able to learn outside in a hands on environment.

Abigail Jackson
​Kutztown University

What is your favorite part about the field station?
The people really make the field station enjoyable. Going through everything together really gives you a sense of community. I've had professors down there who spend so much time dedicating themselves to the students and I found that extremely refreshing.

Gabriella DeMarco
Kutztown University

Were classes at the field station mandatory for you? If they were not mandatory why did you choose to come?
​They are mandatory for marine students at Kutztown. I think this is good because it gives them the hands on field work that they might have never been able to experience before graduating. The first class I took down there didn't even count as a field station class. When I signed up for it I knew this was most likely going to be the outcome but I will always be extremely grateful for the opportunity that I got to take that class as my first official college course, solidifying the fact that I knew I want to work out in the field.

Teagan Diss
Slippery Rock University

How was your experience at the field station?
​I liked my experience overall, the classes were a lot of fun, to learn about what you can observe right in front of you, or in your hands.

What was your favorite trip? 
​I liked going on the boat and going trawling to see what organisms we can bring up.

Allison Lentz
Kutztown University

What aspects of this course were most useful or valuable?
I learned a lot about animal behavior that I've been able to apply to other classes like Marine Ecology and Biology. I also got a ton of field time and learned how to keep a thorough field notebook, which I've had to do for several other classes.

What was your favorite trip?
​Trips to Wallops Island beach! Especially watching the piping plovers. I also loved Savage Neck Dunes.

Kat Stump
Kutztown University

How was your experience at the field station?
​​Being away from home for 3+ (depending how you take your courses) weeks can be hard. Adjusting to the field station lifestyle took sometime, but the staff, students, and professors are there because they love it. The overall "people" at the field station add so much to the experience that ensure you will enjoy your time. While the field work and days can be extensive it is so invaluable compared to traditional classrooms.

Katie Gavek
Commonwealth University - Lock Haven 

How was your experience at the field station?
My experience at the field station was extraordinary! I’ve got fairly close to the people in my class as well as got to get to know the town on the weekends and got to get my feet wet!

What was your favorite trip? (Boat, marsh, beach, etc.)
My favorite trip was going to Savage Neck Dunes because it had an island feel to it and we were able to explore and have lunch on the sand and explore more about quadrant research.

Sarah Zielke
​East Stroudsburg University

What has been your favorite class so far? Why?
Ichthyology! I felt as if the hands on field experience was beneficial and stuck with me. The atmosphere was welcoming and made me want to learn more. The research opportunity was welcomed with open arms and I really felt as if I learned a lot.

It was amazing, definitely a highlight of my college career!

When you take a class a the field station you most likely won't know anyone in your class. Whether or not you do you have to get to know those people, and the best ways to work with them, quickly because those are going to be the people who help you succeed in the field and in the classroom.  

Behavioral Ecology with Dr. Horton was a ton of fun! I loved beach classes on Fridays and getting to watch and study a bunch of different animals.

Invertebrate Zoology was my favorite class credited to the professor, Dr. Boettger. She really made an effort to get to know the students and made learning fun.

I really enjoy being at the field station. Being around people with similar interests with you is really cool.