High School Summer Programs
Oceanography of the Southern California Bight Schedule
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Start Date: 8/7/08 - End Date: 8/25/08
Sailing from Catalina Island, CA to San Pedro, CA
OSCB offers three undergraduate college credits through the University of Southern California – CORE 195
SHORE COMPONENT: at the Wrigley Institute Marine Science Center
The ten-day shore component takes place at the Philip K. Wrigley Marine Science Center (WMSC) on Catalina Island, 20 miles west of Los Angeles. This half of the OSCB program provides the near-shore portion of the students’ study of the Southern California Bight. Students become familiar with a variety of marine habitats by exploring Catalina’s subtidal zone, snorkeling in the lab’s cove, and hiking along the sea bluffs. They learn about the characteristics and adaptations of marine plants and animals by studying them in the lab and by collecting and analyzing ecological data in the field. Students participate in several on-going research projects under the direction of the lab’s resident scientist.
The Academic Program
Daily schedules at the Wrigley Marine Science Center are flexible, accommodating predictable events (e.g., tides), and taking advantage of unforeseen opportunities to experience the marine environment (e.g., observing whales, dolphins and birds). Low tides are early at this time of year; intertidal field trips take place before breakfast. Lectures are scheduled after breakfast, followed by laboratory work. Work in the lab or hikes follow lunch, with a second lecture before dinner. After dark, there may be opportunities to observe bioluminescence, night light for unusual marine creatures, star gaze, or enjoy slide or film presentations. During free evenings, students are encouraged to carry on informal discussions with visiting faculty and students, work in their lab, or study.
Island Life
Students share spacious dormitory rooms. Meals are served in the cafeteria. During free time around lunch and dinner, students can take an ocean view walk or use the volleyball court, computer labs, or library. Students will be busy, but there will be time for relaxing, talking, and playing pool in the common room adjacent to the dorm and cafeteria. E-mail and Internet access are available in the computer labs.
SEA COMPONENT: On board SEA’s Sailing Research Vessel
The Sea Component will be a nine-day oceanographic voyage on the waters of California. Working alongside professional scientists, students conduct marine research and collect data, which emphasize the interrelationships of the biological, geological, chemical, and physical characteristics of the region.
The Academic Program
Each student is assigned to a watch group of eight people with whom s/he rotates through the 24-hour schedule. While a student watch group is on duty, each person is assigned to a particular area of the vessel for the duration of the watch period: in the lab, on the deck, in the galley, or in the engine room.
During lab watch, students participate in oceanographic activities led by the scientist on duty. These include deploying oceanographic instruments at scientific stations to determine characteristics of the water column, the sea floor, and the biological organisms of the Southern California Bight. The students assist in analyzing all data collected during the cruise. This data may include sea temperature, salinity, chemical nutrients, water depth, plankton samples, sediment samples, and weather observations.
During deck watch, students participate in navigational exercises led by the mate on duty. These exercises include opportunities to maneuver the vessel under sail and power, course plotting, and near-shore piloting with charts and compass.
Shipboard Life
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, to learn, to 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 and sunsets.
