OCEANOGRAPHY of the GULF of MAINE:
BIOSM 1600
A cooperative venture program with Shoals Marine Laboratory (SML) and Sea Education Association (SEA). The course starts with a "Sea Component" in Woods Hole, MA and ends with a "Shore Component" at SML on Appledore Island, Maine.
dates: NOT OFFERED IN 2010
Prerequisite: Open to high school juniors and seniors who have successfully completed
two high school science courses. Admission is also based on a teacher
recommendation, high school transcript, and a personal statement. *For questions about the Sea Component of this program,
contact SEA; (800) 552-3633, ext. 770 or e-mail: admission@sea.edu
Photo by Connor Fitzpatrick, OGM '08
Oceanography of the Gulf of Maine offers a unique opportunity for students to experience life on board a sailing vessel and on an island off the coast of Maine, studying oceanic and coastal marine environments. Offered jointly by the Sea Education Association (SEA) and the Shoals Marine Laboratory (SML), this academically rigorous program exposes students to the science of the sea while earning 2 college credits from Cornell University. This program has TWO components; one at sea aboard the SSV Corwith Cramer, and one at the Shoals Marine Laboratory on Appledore Island. Program instructions and details will be sent to all accepted students.
SEA COMPONENT ABOARD the SSV CORWITH CRAMER
On WEDNESDAY, JULY 8, 2009, students board the SSV Corwith Cramer, one of SEA’s 134-foot research sailing vessels. Departing from Woods Hole, MA students begin their 10-day oceanographic voyage through the waters surrounding Cape Cod, then into George's Bank and finally the Gulf of Maine. Working alongside professional scientists, students collect data and conduct marine research, emphasizing the interrelationships of the biological, geological, chemical, and physical characteristics of the Gulf of Maine. Working alongside professional mariners, students are introduced to the basics of nautical science as they participate in the routine operation and navigation of the ship. The sea-going component of the OGM program provides the “blue water” portion of the oceanographic study of the Gulf of Maine.
THE ACADEMIC PROGRAM
Students are assigned to a "watch"; a group of eight people with whom they rotate through the 24-hour daily schedule. While the 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, or in the galley.
During lab watch, students participate in oceanographic activities led by the scientist on duty. They 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. They assist in analyzing the biological, geological, and physical data collected during the cruise. These data may include sea temperature, salinity, chemical nutrients, water depth, plankton samples, sediment samples, and weather observations.
During deck watch, students participate in navigational exercises led by the mate on duty. These exercises include opportunities to maneuver the vessel under sail and power, record hourly weather observations, plot courses, learn about navigational stars, and for near-shore piloting with charts, radar, and compass.
SHIPBOARD LIFE
Life at sea is fast-paced, as all watch activities continue on a 24-hour schedule throughout the oceanographic voyage. In addition to routine watch standing duties, students prepare and present group projects. There is always something to see, to learn, to do, and plenty of ways to pitch in.
Accommodations are comfortable, but cozy. The food is excellent and plentiful – three meals plus three snacks each day. At least once during the cruise, students join in a general cleaning of the ship. They 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, sunsets and the night sky.
SHORE COMPONENT AT SHOALS MARINE LABORATORY, APPLEDORE ISLAND
On FRIDAY, JULY 17, students will disembark from the SEA vessel and begin the shore component at the Shoals Marine Laboratory's
(SML) field station on Appledore Island, Maine. This
half of the OGM program provides the near-shore, coastal portion of
the students' oceanographic study of the Gulf of Maine. OGM's challenging
curriculum includes an introduction to the scientific method; students
analyze data collected from sites located along Appledore's rocky
intertidal zone. Field trips to neighboring islands include visits
to local harbor seal and seabird communities. Lectures and laboratory
activities provide exposure to the fundamentals of coastal marine
ecology. On the last day of the program, SATURDAY, JULY 25, students will end their studies at SML and be transported by an SML vessel into Portsmouth, NH.
THE ACADEMIC PROGRAM
Daily schedules a the Shoals Marine Laboratory are flexible
in order to accommodate predictable events (e.g. tides), to take
advantage of unforeseen opportunities to experience the marine
environment (e.g. observing the nearby passage of migrating whales),
and to participate in campus-wide marine science lectures and
field opportunities.
Depending upon tides and weather, OGM's daily routine often
includes early morning collecting trips to the intertidal zone.
Lectures, laboratory exercises, field trips on the island or a
cruise onboard SML's Research Vessel John M. Kingsbury complete
the daytime schedule. After dinner, lectures, slide or film presentations
are often given. Before and after lecture, students are encouraged
to carry on informal discussions with visiting faculty, work in
the labs, or study.
ISLAND LIFE
Days on Appledore are filled with academic endeavors, but students
do have free time around meals, during which they can use the
island's volleyball court, swimming area, or library. SML encourages
OGM participants to interact with the entire island community;
musicians should feel free to bring an instrument to the island
and share a song with other students, faculty and staff.
Three meals are served on the island each day, except Sunday,
when schedules are somewhat more relaxed and begin after a mid-morning
brunch. One morning or afternoon each week, students join in a
general cleaning of the island and its facilities.
