![](The Making of a Reef2_files/make_reef4.jpeg) |
Science teacher Page Hutchin son inspects the
progess of her
charges |
![](The Making of a Reef2_files/make_reef5.jpeg) |
"It goes in like this. .
." |
![](The Making of a Reef2_files/make_reef6.jpeg) |
The orange tabs projecting from the scattered
holes are actually small poly-balls held in place by eye
bolts. These will be inflated before the concrete is
poured to create holes in the structure. Sand is poured
to fill the base of the mold and prevent the concrete
from leaking out the
bottom. |
![](The Making of a Reef2_files/make_reef8.jpeg) |
Getting the large poly-ball in the mold after it
is assembled is a little more challenging. This creates
a hollow in the mold and also allows the "reef ball" to
be floated during some
deployments. | |
|
![](The Making of a Reef2_files/make_reef9.jpeg) |
With a little help from a compressed air tank,
inflating the balls is a breeze. After inflation a
mixture of sugar and water is sprayed on the sides of
the mold and poly-balls to keep the concrete from
hardening on the
surface. |
![](The Making of a Reef2_files/make_reef10.jpeg) |
Complete and ready for
concrete. |
![](The Making of a Reef2_files/make_reef11.jpeg) |
All volunteers are awarded a colorful memento of
their contribution, a T-shirt bearing the clain, "I
helped build a
REEF." |
![](The Making of a Reef2_files/make_reef12.jpeg) |
Hmmm, squishy concrete-thisis Mike Meiers
favorite part, especially when it gets messy
|
![](The Making of a Reef2_files/make_reef13.jpeg) |
Page and Charlie carefully guide the concrete
into a mold-watch the drips,
guys! |
|