High School Summer Programs
Science at SEA Schedule
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Session I
Start date: 6/26/08
End Date: 7/15/08
Sailing from Woods Hole, MA to Boston, MA -
Session II
Start Date: 7/21/08
End Date: 8/08/08
Sailing from and to Woods Hole, MA -
Session III
Start Date: 8/02/08
End Date: 8/20/08
Sailing from and to Woods Hole, MA
Science at Sea - Shore Component on the Woods Hole Campus
Academic programming is scheduled throughout each day of the ten-day shore component, including the weekends. Course work includes lectures, discussions, laboratory activities and field trips, all introducing you to the study of history and literature of the sea, marine science, and nautical science in an historic and modern context.
The Academic Program
Introduction to Oceanography: You study marine organisms, the structure of the earth, marine geology and sediments, wind-driven circulation, thermohaline circulation, and the chemistry of seawater. As SEA students, you have opportunities to take advantage of the exceptional local research facilities (Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Marine Biological Laboratory, U.S. Geological Survey, and National Marine Fisheries).
Introduction to Nautical Science: You learn about piloting and chartwork, ship handling, life at sea, safety, seamanship, ship stability, aerodynamics, and hydrodynamics.
Introduction to Maritime Studies: You are introduced to the American maritime heritage during the Age of Sail, with emphasis on the local New England region.
Campus Life
Housing: You live in 3 cottages, each accommodating up to 9 students, and each closely supervised by an adult house leader. The house leaders also serve as Teaching Assistants on shore, and go to sea with you during the Sea Component. Life in each cottage revolves around its common/dining area, where you help prepare meals and share your ideas and excitement with each other. After dinner, there is an evening activity, followed by quiet time for study, using the library, student lounge, and computer facilities.
Activities: The house leaders lead evening and weekend activities. These activities may include visits to the Cape Cod National Seashore, a day trip to Martha’s Vineyard, special evening musical entertainment, and “movie and popcorn” nights. Students often join together to play volleyball, soccer and Frisbee, and explore the local bike path and beaches.
Science at SEA - Sea Component
Upon successful completion of the Shore Component, students join one of SEA’s Tall Ships, the SSV Corwith Cramer, 134-foot brigantine, for the remainder of the program. The ship holds up to 23 students and 13 professional crew and faculty. Daily activities at sea immerse you in all operations of a modern sailing research vessel: collecting scientific data, operating the ship’s diesel engine, setting and striking sails, and helping in the ship’s galley. Each day, you participate in directed activities and lectures in both Oceanography and Nautical Science.
The Academic Program
You are assigned to a "watch", a group of eight people with whom you rotate through the 24-hour daily schedule. While your watch 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, you participate in oceanographic activities led by the scientist on duty. You deploy oceanographic instruments at scientific stations conducted each day at sea, to determine characteristics of the water column, the sea floor, and the biological organisms of the area. You assist in analyzing the biological, geological, and physical 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, you 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, you prepare and present group project presentations. There is always something 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, you join in a general cleaning of the ship. You have enough free time to make friends with the rest of the crew, to keep a journal, to climb aloft, to make music (bringing instruments is encouraged!), and to enjoy the sunrises and sunsets.
