May 1, 2011 1 SJSD Marine Institute • http://stjoeh2o.ning.com • Instructor: Sean P. Nash All kinds of immersion Marine Biology is a unique program where immersion in rich biological content and experiences actually coincide with real physical immersion in the ocean. Our specific focus for the course is the delicate and threatened coral reef ecosystem. Density of life on the reef is amazing, and studying it firsthand is an unforgettable experience. MARINE b i o l o g y Introduction & Characterization A course that literally immerses you into the content. Page 1-2 Requirements & Fees Find out what you need to participate, as well as all associated fees. Page 3-4 Enrollment Dates Due to the unique nature of the course, enrollment is also unique. Record these dates. Page 5 Schedule & Syllabus Our program is planned out well in advance. Check these dates against your calendar... Page 6-7 SJSD MARINE BIOLOGY PROGRAM INFORMATION: The Course: The course is a unique one-semester experience-intensive study of the biology of our oceans. “Honors Marine Biology” is part of our existing biology curriculum, but will take several 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 tropical ecosystems and the Caribbean, in particular. Major systems of study will include: coral reefs, mangroves, sand flats, and subtropical forests. Experiences in species identification and science research skills will be part of the focus within these systems. A highlight of the course is a weeklong, in-depth study to the coral reefs of either the Florida Keys or The Bahamas. There, we live on 45 to 50 ft. sailboats for the entire week we are on the island. As a direct 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 to also participate in Marine Biology. Another way the course will be unique is the meeting schedule. Honors Marine Biology will meet at night. A specific number of contact hours are required for a semester credit. Half of these hours will be spent during the intense study week in the subtropics. The other half will be met during night classes from 7:00 to 9:00pm. The schedule will require meeting an average of two nights per month during the months of August through February. Closer to the week of on-site study, more preparation will be needed. (continued on page 2)
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M a y 1 , 2 0 1 1! 1
S J S D M a r i n e I n s t i t u t e • h t t p : / / s t j o e h 2 o . n i n g . c o m • I n s t r u c t o r : S e a n P . N a s h
All kinds of immersionMarine Biology is a unique program where immersion in rich biological content and experiences actually coincide with real physical immersion in the ocean. Our specific focus for the course is the delicate and threatened coral reef ecosystem. Density of life on the reef is amazing, and studying it firsthand is an unforgettable experience.
MARINEb i o l o g y
Introduction &
Characterization
A course that literally immerses
you into the content.
Page 1-2
Requirements & Fees
Find out what you need to
participate, as well as all
associated fees.
Page 3-4
Enrollment Dates
Due to the unique nature of the
course, enrollment is also
unique. Record these dates.
Page 5
Schedule & Syllabus
Our program is planned out
well in advance. Check these
dates against your calendar...
Page 6-7
SJSD MARINE BIOLOGY PROGRAM INFORMATION:The Course:
The course is a unique one-semester experience-intensive study of the biology of our oceans. “Honors Marine Biology” is part of our existing biology curriculum, but will take
several 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 tropical ecosystems and the Caribbean, in particular. Major systems of study will include: coral reefs, mangroves, sand flats, and subtropical forests. Experiences in species identification and science
research skills will be part of the focus within these systems. A highlight of the course is a weeklong, in-depth study to the coral reefs of either the Florida Keys or The Bahamas. There, we live on 45 to 50 ft. sailboats for the entire week we are on the island. As a direct 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 to
also participate in Marine Biology. Another way the course will be unique is the meeting schedule. Honors Marine Biology will
meet at night. A specific number of contact hours are required for a semester credit. Half of these hours will be
spent during the intense study week in the subtropics. The other half will be met during night classes from 7:00 to
9:00pm. The schedule will require meeting an average of
two nights per month during the months of August through February. Closer to the week of on-site study,
more preparation will be needed. (continued on page 2)
S J S D M a r i n e I n s t i t u t e • h t t p : / / s t j o e h 2 o . n i n g . c o m • I n s t r u c t o r : S e a n P . N a s h
A Typical Day On Andros Island
(8:00am-ish) breakfast(9:00-12:00pm) snorkeling trip on Andros 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 free time to explore(3:00-5:00pm) snorkeling trip at Gibson Cay Blue Hole... an inland blue hole(5:00-6:00pm) more free exploration(6:00-7:00pm) dinner(7:00pm) group discussion “Geology of Bahamian Blue Holes”
MARINE BIOLOGYThe Course: (continued from page 1)
During this time, we meet nearly every
Monday. During the month following the on-site study, three meetings will also be
needed for closure. In this time, all data collected the field study will be analyzed
and conclusions for individual projects
will be made and presented. Culminating
presentations of all types will be incorporated into a website that will be accessible by anyone on the planet with an
Internet connection. The link to the site for our program is: http://stjoeh2o.ning.com.
A Marine Biology program is rare in midwestern colleges and even far less
common in high schools. This course will create educational opportunities that are rarely experienced in public education.
Students will be provided with a firsthand look at many career choices that are not
often studied in our part of
the country. Though the stark reality is: the surface of our planet is seventy-
five percent covered by the
ocean. (continued on page 3)
Students keep a
journal throughout the coral reef field experience to
bring home and publish to the world via our online course network.
S J S D M a r i n e I n s t i t u t e • h t t p : / / s t j o e h 2 o . n i n g . c o m • I n s t r u c t o r : S e a n P . N a s h
MARINE BIOLOGY
The Course:
(continued from page 2) Of all careers in the natural sciences, a
large number of them are in marine biology. During the study of these subjects and the time on-site during the field study, you will become aware of such possibilities
and the steps you would follow to take to take advantage of them. This will certainly help interested students with
college and technical school program and course selection. You will also have the opportunity to actually interact with
several of our former students who are currently in graduate school and or working in the field of marine biology!
Requirements•You must be an incoming high school
student at the youngest. If you are a Sophomore or older, it would be valuable to be enrolled in Zoology, but this is not
required.•An informational meeting will be
held to characterize the program on May
9th, at 5:30pm at Webster Learning
Center, 18th & Highly, rm #8. This is
an excellent meeting for parents to attend. Here, I will explain the program in depth. Applications will be handed out at this
meeting as well as during the day in the respective schools after this meeting.
•Students must complete an application: (DUE: ON OR BEFORE
THURSDAY, MAY 12th, by 4:00pm in ROOM #8 at WEBSTER LEARNING CENTER).
•Due to the fact that part of the course
takes place in a foreign country, exemplary behavior and social skills are a must for applying students. These issues are
addressed within the “teacher recommendation” section of the application.
•Selected students and at least one parent or guardian must attend an informational meeting to characterize the program. This meeting is held on May
18th at 7:00pm at Webster room #8 on the top floor of the main building.
•Along with you, a parent or guardian
must sign a letter stating intent to complete all parts of the course including all monetary responsibilities. Late withdrawal
from the course will require forfeiture of all or part of the required fees.
•Letters of recommendation from two teachers in your school will also be
required... at least one of which must be a science teacher. This teacher-recommendation form will be included in
the application. Be certain to put your best foot forward on all parts of the application, as course enrollment will be competitive.
•Due to space, enrollment is held to eighteen students total from each of our secondary schools. In the past this has created a very unique and rewarding
citywide exchange.
The values of this program
are numerous. Some of the
value 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 science
skills, 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 interaction
within 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 in
one of the most ecologically delicate and rare systems of the
S J S D M a r i n e I n s t i t u t e • h t t p : / / s t j o e h 2 o . n i n g . c o m • I n s t r u c t o r : S e a n P . N a s h
MARINE BIOLOGY
Painting thousands of words...
More than 380 images from the Spring 2011 Andros Island field study are online at Flickr. Visit this link for an even more in-depth visual of a typical SJSD Marine Biology experience: http://goo.gl/tnChJ
Program feesThe SJSD Marine Biology program
has been in existence since 2000. Over this time we have built a strong relationship with our non-for-profit field
station in The Bahamas. There is no doubt that this program would be far too costly to feasibly
continue today if it were not for the fact that our expenses are kept low by
cooperating with an educational field station in this way. If this field study were assembled
with corporate elements it would easily be twice as costly for all of us.
Program fees go towards room and board (all meals) for a full
week aboard a 45 to 50 foot sailboat, one night hotel stay in Florida before departing to the island, ground transportation, round trip charter flight from Florida to Andros
Island, and round trip commercial flight from Kansas City to Ft. Lauderdale.
The amounts listed here are approximate, but rarely ever change throughout the course of the program.
$1400 covers field station fees (room &
board, charter flights, hotel, etc.) $250 to $400 in round trip commercial airfare between Kansas City and Ft. Lauderdale.
The results in a total fee for the program of between $1650 and $1800 depending
on the price of the group airfare fees to and from Florida. In the past, most of our
students have been too involved with high school life to participate in fundraisers,
therefore relying on some combination of summer jobs, parental assistance, etc.
However, there have been instances of parents or students organizing fundraising activities throughout the year to help with field station fees. I am more
than open to helping facilitate and support these efforts for creative funding!