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 transcript printout from your counselor and staple it within this packet. Please also include scheduled 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:
[email protected] 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 - Applications 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, students 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, students 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 attached 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?”)
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Student Page II
Page 6
Parent/Guardian Page To the parent
Parent-student-teacher communication throughout the Honors Marine Biology program is of utmost importance. 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 permission 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 studyabroad 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 Marine Biology.
to participate in Honors student’s name
parent or guardian signature and date
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