SEA Summer Seminar - Oceanography of the Gulf of Maine

  United States

Cape Cod,  Maine

Duration of Program: 2-4 weeks
Dates: July 8 - 25, 2009

Description: Oceanography of the Gulf of Maine (OGM) is a 19-day program offered by Sea Education Association and open to high school juniors, seniors, and college freshmen who have successfully completed two high school science courses. The program has two components: the first is at sea onboard the research sailing vessel SSV Corwith Cramer, where students study offshore oceanography while acting as members of the ship's crew; the second takes place at Cornell University's Shoals Marine Laboratory, where students study the near-shore coastal ecology and oceanography of Appledore Island. OGM's challenging curriculum provides an introduction to the scientific method and the opportunity to analyze data. It also instills observation and critical thinking skills. Students earn two undergraduate college credits from Cornell University upon successful completion of the Shore Component.

SEA COMPONENT - SSV CORWITH CRAMER
Students first sail aboard the SSV Corwith Cramer, one of SEA's 134' research sailing vessels, on a ten-day oceanographic voyage from Woods Hole to Shoals Marine Laboratory. The voyage takes them through the waters surrounding Cape Cod, into George's Bank, and finally into the Gulf of Maine. Working alongside professional scientists, students collect data and conduct marine research, emphasizing the interrelationships of the biological, geological, chemical, and physical characteristics of the Gulf of Maine. Working alongside professional mariners, students are introduced to the basics of nautical science as they participate in the routine operation and navigation of the ship.

Life at sea is fast-paced, as all watch activities continue on a 24-hour basis throughout the oceanographic voyage. In addition to routine watch-standing duties that will be a part of each student's experience at sea, lectures are also presented daily. There is always something new to see, learn, or do. Accommodations are comfortable, but cozy. The food is excellent and plentiful: three meals plus three snacks each day. At least once during the cruise, students join in a general cleaning of the ship. Everyone has enough free time to make friends with the rest of the crew on board, to keep a journal, to climb aloft, to make music (bringing instruments is encouraged!), and to enjoy sunrises, sunsets and the night sky.

SHORE COMPONENT - SHOALS MARINE LABORATORY
After the Sea Component, the nine-day Shore Component takes place at the Shoals Marine Laboratory's field station on Appledore Island, Isles of Shoals, Maine; this segment of the OGM program focuses on near-shore, coastal oceanographic study of the Gulf of Maine. OGM's challenging curriculum provides an introduction to the scientific method through data observation and collection, a lab practical, and group research projects. Students will be exposed to the rocky intertidal fauna and flora and work with them hands-on in a tide pool study. Lecture topics include island history, coastal oceanography, marine invertebrates, vertebrates, and algae. Field trips to neighboring islands include visits to harbor seal and seabird communities.

Daily schedules at Shoals Marine Laboratory (SML) are flexible in order to accommodate predictable events (e.g. tides), to take advantage of unforeseen opportunities to experience the marine environment (e.g. observing the nearby passage of migrating whales), and to participate in campus-wide marine science lectures and field opportunities. Depending upon tides and weather, OGM's daily routine often includes early morning collecting trips to the intertidal zone. The daily schedule consists of lectures, laboratory exercises, field trips on the island, or a cruise onboard SML's Research Vessel John M. Kingsbury. Lectures, slideshows, and film presentations are often given after dinner. There are also opportunities to carry on informal discussions with visiting faculty or work in the labs.

Highlights: SEA provides students with access to a level of ocean exploration unavailable anywhere else in the world. We balance on-shore research and team building with real oceanographic research aboard a traditional sailing vessel. Most importantly, teamwork, leadership, and sense of community are the underlying values of SEA's academic curriculum. Participants will not only grow as students, but as global citizens and individuals.

Cost in US$: $4,990.00

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants.

Participants Travel to United States Independently or in Groups

Typically Participants Work in Groups

Application Process Involves:

• Essay
• Letters of Reference
• Online Application plus Application Assessment
• Physical Exam/Health Records
• Transcript

Post Services Include:

• Alumni Network

Year Founded: 1971