Bamfield: Where Biology Comes to Life

25 September 2012Tokoni A

When we arrived at Bamfield, my first thought was that we had entered an alternate universe. The different parts that crafted Bamfield Marine Science Centre were recognizable: the endless ocean, the towering trees, and the rich and saturated greens. But the sum of all of these parts, the “big picture” was something entirely unlike what we were familiar with.

For some, it was like returning to an old, dusty memory. “I remember that from Grade 10!” students would say excitedly when they saw something they recognized. For others, however, the trip to Bamfield was a brand new encounter. “Wow, this is beautiful,” the newbies would gush, while our experienced counterparts shrugged it off. Yet, for all sixteen of us, both returning and old, the trip had some miraculous, fascinating parts.

One experience we could all agree was remarkable was the beauty of the bioluminescence. On the boat ride out, our eyes were fixed on the inky, star-dotted sky. A tiny community, Bamfield has almost no light pollution. We were awestruck by the infinite stars brightening the night sky. But once we reached the spot to observe the bioluminescence, the heavens were long forgotten. When we waved our borrowed metre sticks through the ocean, it was almost like we were scattering neon diamonds in the water. Students ooh’d and aahh’d at the ethereal biological wonder and at one point, Sophia T said “This is what people used to think magic was.” I think she’s right, but I also believe that we still feel that way. After all, isn’t it magic? Isn’t it the magic of biology?

The best way to describe the experience we had is to say that we stepped into our textbooks. We have read about the nerve nets and defense mechanisms of anemones, but at Bamfield we actually felt the nematocysts stick to our fingers. We read about the oddity of echinoderms, but at Bamfield we actually witnessed the sea star’s tube feet moving in action and the sea cucumber grow long and limp when it was angered. Reading from a textbook is nothing compared to having all of your senses immersed in the depths of the material you’re studying.

So, despite the long, busy days and early risings, the Biology 12AP class can honestly say that it feels blessed to have had this experience. Thanks, Mrs. Warner and Mr. Norwood! In both the dense rainforest, amongst a tangled network of life and growth, and on the sandy shores of Brady’s Beach, we all finally understood the true meaning of biology. We saw that the humongous trees and the tiny barnacles and the plant-like sea squirts are all just as alive and valuable as we are.

It was strange when we ventured back on that rocky road to Brentwood, because it felt like we were stepping out of a dream and back into reality. Bamfield feels far away now, but the memory has not been forgotten. I doubt that it ever will be!

Tokoni A

Where Students Choose To Be