Summer Marine Biology Programs for Young People and Educators
July 7-28, 2011
Come join us in Grand Cayman this summer and discover what is possible when young people unite in hands, heart, and mind to help save a threatened marine resource. Because the Ocean Matters!
Cost of the Program: $5200
Includes
- Roundtrip airfare from Miami to Grand Cayman
- Room and board (double occupancy)
- All transfers and transportation
- Training and three (3) PADI Scuba Certifications (Open Water I, Advanced, and Marine Specialty): www.padi.com
- All marine biology instruction and texts
- 2 Boat Dives
- Divers Alert Network (DAN) Insurance: www.diversalertnetwork.org
Excludes
- Scuba Gear (rental available in Grand Cayman for $300)
- Mask, Fin & Snorkel (should be purchased before trip)
- Spending money
- Roundtrip airfare from your home to Miami
Scholarship
A limited number of scholarships are available for students who demonstrate both need and merit. To apply, download and fill out the Scholarship Application Form (SAF) (PDF) and submit by April 7, 2011. Scholarship decisions will be made by April 22, 2011. Students should also submit an application for admission to be considered for scholarship.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes Ocean Matters different from other science at sea programs?
What if I've never scuba dived before?
How might I benefit from coming to Ocean Matters?
What non-academic activities will there be?
What are the academic requirements?
What are the living conditions like?
What makes Ocean Matters different from other science at sea programs?
Ocean Matters favors depth over breadth. Rather than covering many topics of marine science, we focus on issues related to the specific local marine ecosystem you are studying. In the case of the trip to Grand Cayman, through daily dives and classroom instruction you will explore everything there is to know about the complex relationships and dynamics that structure a coral reef. We will be guided in our inquiry by questions such as:
- How is it that the nutrient poor waters of the tropics gave rise to and can support such diversity and abundance of life as that found on the coral reef?
- What combination of biological and physical factors create and sustain biodiversity?
- How are human activities and local economies impacting the reef?
- What are some creative solutions to maintaining local economies while also protecting the reef for the future?
Our staff of educators, biologists, conservationists, and journalists ensure a multi-dimensional exploration of the challenges and opportunities facing the coral reef today. We also have formed unique local partnerships with the Caymanian Department of the Environment and other local conservation efforts that ensure our student research project is relevant, underpins other efforts, and will be utilized for real life decisions made about maintaining the coral reef's health.
The goal of our study and daily dives on the reef is to develop a group research project executed on scuba that serves the needs of the local community. You will work with your classmates and the local Department of the Environment (DOE) to structure and execute your group project, culminating in a presentation to the DOE and Caymanian media. In prior years our project has focused on comparing the distribution and abundance of coral cover vs. algal cover at two sites facing differing dive pressures. By comparing the coral cover over time, we have illustrated how increased dive pressure has negatively affected the overall health of the reef. Data such as this is critical to developing carrying capacity limits for diving that ensure that the reef's health is sustainable, as well as the island's economy. Prior Ocean Matters alumnus Blakely Kay was a semi-finalist in the prestigious Westinghouse Science Competition (now the Intel Science Talent Search) for her research and paper written during her experience in Ocean Matters.
What if I've never scuba dived before?
Scuba experience is not a pre-requisite for the program. Our team of dive instructors will certify you through classroom and pool sessions during our first week in Grand Cayman. Our open water test will take place in the sparkling blue waters of the Caribbean. Learning together helps us create a sense of community, ensures consistent safety practices and a consistent level of scuba expertise. Even if you are already scuba certified you will be expected to participate in this part of the program. Throughout the course you will receive two PADI certifications: Open Water 1 and Advanced Open Water. You will need a moderate level of competency in the water and be able to swim 200 yards without stopping and tread water for ten minutes in order to pass your scuba certification requirements.
How might I benefit from coming to Ocean Matters?
Alumni of the program have identified the following benefits of the program. See our website for testimonials from alumni, which are sprinkled throughout our pages.
- explore whether or not you want to pursue college study and a career in marine science
- develop communication presentation, and writing skills
- increase self esteem through meeting both physical and academic challenges
- develop research skills
- feel empowered by helping to solve a pressing environmental problem
- develop team work skills including effective oral and written communication, appreciation for differences, appropriate expression of feelings, effective problem solving, and leadership skills.
- be able to communicate as peers with PhD coral reef biologists, reflecting a deep knowledge and understanding of the coral reef ecosystem.
A typical morning would begin at 8 with breakfast, followed by a classroom session and research dive. After our dive, we typically have lunch, free time, and then have another classroom session. Some days we will also do a recreational dive in the afternoon before dinner. After dinner we might have a special guest lecture or do marine identifications or have free time. In the evening we have quiet study hall from 7-9 followed by free time until lights out at 11. This would be the typical schedule for six days (with afternoons sometimes flexible), followed by a seventh day of recreation—allowing a day off from both school work and scuba.
What non-academic activities will there be?
We will poll students on their favorite activities, but popular things to do in the past have been a windjammer cruise, picnics and swimming at a local sandy-beached cove, underwater photography, sunset trips to rum point , star gazing, beach volleyball and more. We also typically do at least four special recreational dives: a "wall" dive along a vertical wall, a night dive, a trip to Eden Rocks and a boat dive.
What are the academic requirements?
You must have completed Introduction to Biology in your high school studies. Students should know that the program is rigorous academically, in order to allow you to try on a college course on marine biology for size. We will fully support you in succeeding in every challenge you will encounter. You will learn to identify over 100 marine fauna and flora to species name and master complex concepts of biology and ecology presented through lecture, hands-on instruction in the water, and through interactive, fun activities on land. Every student will keep a dive journal, logging both their dives and the marine life they encounter in the water. This becomes a wonderful record and memento of your experience.
What are the living conditions like?
We will be staying at a full-service hotel for divers situated directly on the ocean near Georgetown Harbor. The hotel has a restaurant, swimming pool, classroom space, and air-conditioned rooms. Ocean Matters will have a block of rooms. You will be placed with students of the same sex in double rooms. We will have three buffet style meals a day. In keeping with our ethics, we will not be serving any seafood that is not sustainably caught. Special diets or vegetarian preferences can be accommodated with advance notice. For more information about our host hotel, Sunset House, see www.sunsethouse.com.
Still Have Questions?
Please don't hesitate to call us at 617-304-4402. We are happy to answer any questions you have, no matter how small. Thank you for your interest in Ocean Matters! Together we can make a difference and save the seas that sustain us.
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