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May 1, 2009
!
1SJSD Marine Institute •http://stjoeh2o.ning.com• Instructor: Sean P. Nash
All kinds of immersion
Marine Biology is a uniqueprogram where immersionin rich biological content and experiences actually coincide with real physicalimmersion in the ocean.Our specific focus for thecourse is the delicate andthreatened coral reef ecosystem. Density of lifeon the reef is amazing, andstudying it firsthand is anunforgettable experience.
MARINE
Introduction &Characterization
A course that literally immerses you into the content.
Page 1-2Requirements & Fees
Find out what you need to participate, as well as all associated fees.
Page 3-4Enrollment Dates
Due to the unique nature of thecourse, enrollment is alsounique. Record these dates.
Page 5Schedule & Syllabus
Our program is planned out well in advance. Check thesedates against your calendar...
Page 6-7
SJSD MARINE BIOLOGY PROGRAMINFORMATION:
The Course:
The course is a unique one-semester experience-intensive study of the biology of ouroceans. “Honors Marine Biology” is part of our existing biology curriculum, but will takeseveral important steps further toward being an actual hands-on experience in the field of biological science. The course will provide an introduction to the flora and fauna of tropicalecosystems and the Caribbean, in particular. Major systems of study will include: coral reefs,mangroves, sand flats, and subtropical forests. Experiences in species identification and scienceresearch skills will be part of the focus within these systems. A highlight of the course is aweeklong, in-depth study at Forfar Educational Field Station on Andros Island in TheBahamas. There, we live on 45 to 50 ft. sailboats for the entire week we are on the island. As adirect result of our on-site field-study, many valuable cultural experiences will also be gained.The program is designed to allow students in many different activities toalso participate in Marine Biology. Another way the course will beunique is the meeting schedule. Honors Marine Biology willmeet at night. A specific number of contact hours arerequired for a semester credit. Half of these hours will bespent during the intense study week at Andros Island. Theother half will be met during night classes from 7:00 to9:00pm. The schedule will require meeting an average of two nights per month during the months of Augustthrough February. Closer to the week of on-site study,more preparation will be needed. (continued on page 2)
May 1, 2009
!
2SJSD Marine Institute •http://stjoeh2o.ning.com• Instructor: Sean P. Nash
A Typical Day On Andros Island
(8:00am-ish) breakfast (9:00-12:00pm) snorkeling trip onAndros barrier reef crest (12:30-1:30pm) lunch in the field at a nearby beach(1:30-3:00pm) recording of data,photo review, journaling and freetime to explore(3:00-5:00pm) snorkeling trip at Gibson Cay Blue Hole... an inlandblue hole(5:00-6:00pm) more freeexploration(6:00-7:00pm) dinner (7:00pm) group discussion“Geology of Bahamian Blue Holes”
MARINE BIOLOGY
The Course: (continuedfrom page 1)
During this time, we meet nearly everyMonday. During the month following theon-site study, threemeetings will also beneeded for closure. Inthis time, all datacollected at Androswill be analyzed andconclusions forindividual projectswill be made and presented. Culminating presentations of all types will beincorporated into a website that will beaccessible by anyone on the planet with anInternet connection. The link to the site forour program is:http://stjoeh2o.ning.com. A Marine Biology program is rare inmidwestern colleges and even far lesscommon in high schools. This course willcreate educational opportunities that arerarely experienced in public education.Students will be provided with a firsthandlook at many career choices that are notoften studied in our part of the country. Though thestark reality is: the surfaceof our planet is seventy-five percent covered by theocean. (continuedon page 3)
Studentskeep ajournal throughout thecoral reef field experience tobring home and publish to the worldvia our online course network.
May 1, 2009
!
3SJSD Marine Institute •http://stjoeh2o.ning.com• Instructor: Sean P. Nash
MARINE BIOLOGY
The Course:
(continued from page 2)
Of all careers in the natural sciences, alarge number of them are in marinebiology. During the study of these subjectsand the time on-site at Andros Island, youwill become aware of such possibilities andthe steps you would follow to take to takeadvantage of them. This will certainlyhelp interested students with college andtechnical school program and courseselection. You will also have theopportunity to actually interact withseveral of our former students who arecurrently in graduate school and orworking in the field of marine biology!
Requirements
•You must be an incoming Junior orSenior who has completed the freshmanBiology class with at least a grade of “B”.It would be most valuable to have takenZoology, but this is not required.•An informational meeting will beheld to characterize the program on May14th. This is an excellent meeting forparents to attend. I will explain theprogram in depth at this meeting. Applications will be handed out at thismeeting as well as during the day in therespective schools after this meeting.•Students must complete anapplication within the following timeframe(DUE: ON OR BEFORE WEDNESDAY,MAY 20th, by 3:30pm in ROOM #307 atBENTON HIGH SCHOOL).•Due to the fact that part of the coursetakes place in a host country other thanours, exemplary behavior and social skillsare a must for applying students. Theseissues are addressed within the “teacherrecommendation” section of theapplication.•Selected students and at least oneparent or guardian
must
attend aninformational meeting to characterize theprogram. This meeting is held on May28th at 7:00pm in BHS room #307 on thetop floor of the main building.•Along with you, a parent or guardianmust sign a letter stating intent to completeall parts of the course including allmonetary responsibilities. Late withdrawalfrom the course will require forfeiture of allor part of the required fees.•Letters of recommendation from twoteachers in your school will also berequired… at least one of which must be ascience teacher. This teacher-recommendation form will be included inthe application. Be certain to put your bestfoot forward on all parts of the application,as course enrollment will be competitive.•Due to space, enrollment is held toeighteen students total from each of Benton, Central and Lafayette highschools. In the past this has created a veryunique and rewarding citywide exchange.
The values of this program are numerous.
Some of thevalue added by this course is that it...• allows an area of high student interest and engagement to be included within the broader curriculum• fosters development of real scienceskills, in a real-world setting • provides an opportunity for enriched coursework and experiences• requires the development and practice of application skills such as public speaking,writing, teaching content to younger students, as well as publishing and interactionwithin many forms of online participatory media• creates a sense of collaborative “unity” that ties enthusiastic students from each of our three St. Joseph public schools• presents a realistic in-depth examination of several career opportunities in the field of marine biology• allows you, the midwestern student, an opportunity to study inone of the most ecologically delicate and rare systems of theworld: the coral reef
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