name school & current grade

email phone

Marine Biology Application

*due by: 3:30pm Wednesday, 5/20 at Benton High School
School year: 2009-2010
Field study number: 10

List all science courses you have taken in high school and grade achieved for each

(Check with your counselor to be certain this is accurate. A suggested strategy is to get a tran-
script printout from your counselor and staple it within this packet. Please also include sched-
uled science courses for next year and mark them accordingly.)

Course Grade

Page 1
Application Overview
Marine Biology is a course that in unique in many ways. Be sure to read the informational packet in print or
online before starting your application. Students from all three high schools enroll and cooperate in the same
classroom. Class sessions are held at night from 7pm to 9pm to allow participation by students in multiple
programs. These class sessions take place with either one or two weeks between. A large portion of the
face to face learning time in the course is accomplished in April on a field study on the coral reefs of Andros
Island in The Bahamas. Therefore, with students enrolling from across the city, and space aboard the three
sailboats limited to 18 students, an application process is necessary. It is important that you follow the dates
on this page carefully, and complete section of the application to the best of your ability. Teachers from the
three schools will meet to select the Marine Biology class of 2010, as well as an alternate list. For questions
about this application or process please contact the instructor, Sean Nash: sean.nash@sjsd.k12.mo.us I
respond promptly to e-mail contact. Thank you so much.

Program Schedule
Date Event

May 14 INFORMATIONAL MEETING in room #307, 7:00pm, BENTON HS - Applica-

tions will be distributed, or picked up in person from Mrs. Conard (CHS) or Ms.
Trotter (LHS) after this date

May 20 APPLICATIONS DUE to Mr. Nash at BHS room #307 by 3:30pm on this date if
not earlier

May 26 STUDENTS ARE CONTACTED for acceptance into Marine Biology. An email
message will be sent notifying students of acceptance. Your biology teacher will
also have a list the following day.

May 28 MANDATORY MEETING for all students & parents of SJSD MARINE INSTITUTE
2010. Must be accompanied by one parent/guardian. A deposit of $200 is due
at this time. 7:00pm, BHS room #307

May 29 SUMMER EXPLORATION BEGINS with students taking home MacBook laptops
for self-paced online study throughout the summer

August 24 FIRST MEETING of class, 7:00 to 9:00pm at Benton High School

April 2 DEPART FOR BAHAMAS FIELD STUDY the week of April 3rd - 10th

April 19, 2010 to RESUME CLASSES, teach coral reef ecology lesson to an elementary class-
May 17, 2010 room, conduct culminating projects (websites, print publishing, video production,
etc.)

Page 2
Teacher Recommendation Page I
To the teacher
This student is completing an application for Honors Marine Biology. It will be one of the more challenging
courses offered in the district, and will require a high level of independent and online study. Another aspect
of the course is the fact that a large portion of it will be conducted in a foreign country. Because of this, stu-
dents will also need to display a very high level of maturity and social grace in representing St. Joseph and
their school. Please give your objective opinion as to the qualities that this student possesses regarding the
above information. You may also complete privately in a sealed envelope to be attached within the packet.

Teacher signature and date

Page 3
Teacher Recommendation Page II
To the teacher
This student is completing an application for Honors Marine Biology. It will be one of the more challenging
courses offered in the district, and will require a high level of independent and online study. Another aspect
of the course is the fact that a large portion of it will be conducted in a foreign country. Because of this, stu-
dents will also need to display a very high level of maturity and social grace in representing St. Joseph and
their school. Please give your objective opinion as to the qualities that this student possesses regarding the
above information. You may also complete privately in a sealed envelope to be attached within the packet.

Teacher signature and date

Page 4
Student Page
To the student
Honors Marine Biology will be a very challenging program of study. During the first few months of this
course, we will have class face to face only two nights a month for two hours each. The remainder of our
work will take place online. This will require a high degree of self discipline. Also, with a limited number of
participants, enrollment in this course will certainly be competitive. Therefore, you must not only have the
academic ability; you must also have a real desire to participate. In the space below, or preferably on an at-
tached typed sheet, explain what this course means to you. Make this a solid example of your writing skills.
Include information about why you are attracted to a program of this type, why you are confident that you
can succeed, the impact it might have on your future, or anything else which you feel might be pertinent
(essentially… “Why do I want to take Marine Biology?”)

Page 5
Student Page II

Page 6
Parent/Guardian Page
To the parent
Parent-student-teacher communication throughout the Honors Marine Biology program is of utmost impor-
tance. Every effort has been made through handouts and an informational meeting to insure that this gets
started off on the right foot. As you are aware, the nature of this course demands parental or guardian per-
mission at a level above other school programs. There are two main reasons for this. The first is that for a
week in April, class will be held on Andros Island in The Bahamas. Directly related to this weeklong study-
abroad session lies the second reason: the cost.

Our cooperating field station is owned and operated by a non-for-profit organization. Therefore, all costs
during the week in the Bahamas are kept as low as possible. The base of $1275 covers all costs incurred
on Andros from room and board to chartered airfare to transportation. The other cost necessary is the price
of group commercial airfare to and from Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. This cost is normally between $300 and
$500. This brings the price of this program to a total of between $1575 and $1775. From this amount, a
deposit of $200 to hold our spots at the field station will be due at the mandatory meeting on May 28th at
7:00pm at BHS.

*Please read and sign indicating permission to enroll below:

I have been made aware by this application as well as an informational outline and/or
meeting of the nature of the Honors Marine Biology program. I am aware that the
class sessions will meet at night, from two to four times per month during the school
year from 7:00 to 9:00pm at Benton High School. I also realize that even though
costs are minimal for this type of program, a sum of between $1575 and $1775 is
required to complete payment of fees for my student. I have been informed of the
schedule of payment of these fees and realize that failure to do so will result in loss of
deposits and withdrawal from the course.

I give my full permission for to participate in Honors

Marine Biology. student’s name

parent or guardian signature and date

Page 7