Immersing in Aquatic Science: Perkins High Students Explore USGS Field

Perkins High School students are making waves in aquatic science through immersive, hands-on experiences at the U.S. Geological Survey Lake Erie Biological Station in Huron. Both senior Ben Smith and junior Bri Bucher have embraced the opportunity to merge classroom theory with real-world applications, each driven by a passion for marine biology and the desire to expand their practical knowledge.

Ben began his journey at USGS with a clear purpose in mind. He explained, “I visited USGS, which is a Geological Survey government organization. My main purpose was to be sort of an intern in a way of seeing the research they were conducting at their Huron location. My main focus was really to get as much experience as possible in the marine science field since I am going off to college next year and will be going into marine biology.”

Similarly, Bri has been actively shadowing various roles at USGS for a while now, adding to her summer experiences at OSU’s Stone Labs. “I have been visiting USGS in Huron for a little while now, to shadow the various jobs that are going on there, and get a glimpse of the research being done. I want to go into marine biology, which is how I ended up shadowing at places where I could learn things to apply to that career!” she noted.

Before arriving at the site, both students had uncertainties about what to expect. Ben recalled, “At first, I thought that I would just sit there and listen to them talk without being able to do any hands-on experience.” Meanwhile, Bri expressed similar curiosity: “I didn’t know what to expect at USGS. I wasn’t sure if it was going to be a lot like what I’d done at Stone Labs over the summer, or if it would be completely different. I’d say it’s been a bit of both.” Their initial hesitations soon gave way to excitement as they discovered the highly interactive nature of the work, which ranged from pulling receivers out of boats to examining intricate details of fish anatomy.

One particularly memorable experience for Ben involved working with gill nets. “My most memorable moment was definitely taking the fish out of gill nets. Catfish, in particular, were challenging because when they feel threatened they stiffen up—their spines and fins become so rigid that you literally have to snap them in half to free the fish. I remember having to turn a dead fish on its side and crack its fin off like I was a chiropractor,” he recalled with a mix of humor and awe. In a different yet equally striking moment, Bri shared her fascination with examining fish stomachs

“The most memorable thing I think I’ve done so far at USGS was to look at fish stomachs, which I’d like to say I find gross, but I actually think it’s fascinating. It's interesting to visually see a fish’s diet, and I recognize a lot of what’s found in the fish stomachs from what I learned in my class at Stone Labs.”

Both experiences have bridged the gap between theory and practice. Ben observed how his Environmental Science lessons came to life when he identified zebra mussels on equipment, while Bri was thrilled to see firsthand the microscopic organisms—like zooplankton and macroinvertebrates—that she had studied in class. Their work at USGS has provided tangible examples of what they had only previously encountered in textbooks, deepening their understanding of aquatic ecosystems.

Collaboration and mentorship have played key roles throughout their time at USGS. Ben mentioned, “One of my newer mentors, Frank, has been very helpful in sharing his college experience in the biology field. He recommended that if I want to live in Florida and get a job there, I should go to college in Florida because the marine science field is very competitive and having local connections can make all the difference.” Bri, too, highlighted the importance of working as a team. Reflecting on a project where she and two other students dismantled heavy receivers from the lake, she recalled, “Though my arm strength definitely wasn’t the most reliable out of the three of us, I enjoyed working together to actually take the receivers apart, and I offered whatever support I could.”

Their shared experiences have not only solidified their career aspirations but also left them with valuable advice for future field researchers. Ben advises, “Be open to trying new things and ask questions. During my first year at USGS, I was very shy and rarely said a word, but now I’m much more comfortable engaging with everyone around me.” Bri echoed this sentiment, urging peers to stay curious: “Listen to everything. I try during my experiences to be overly attentive, and to take everything in. Since this is what I want to do with my life, I want to see what it looks like daily. No question is a dumb question—ask away!”

By blending classroom knowledge with hands-on fieldwork, Ben and Bri have not only expanded their understanding of aquatic science but have also laid a strong foundation for their future careers. Their journey at USGS exemplifies how real-world experiences can inspire and prepare the next generation of marine and freshwater biologists, transforming uncertainties into opportunities for growth and discovery.