The Marine Science Consortium

...hands-on, feet-wet education

" Thank you for showing us the beauty under the mud."

    - student participant

The 3-day Coastal Ecology experience
is MSC's signature program for school
students. It includes the following half
day field trips:

• oceanography research cruise
• intertidal beaches
• sand dunes
• salt marshes
• maritime forest

Evening programs include of an oceanographic equipment overview and micro and macro-organism laboratories. One evening is left free for you to choose one of many available group activities.

Teachers typically schedule their groups to arrive Sunday afternoon and depart Wednesday after lunch, or to arrive Wednesday afternoon and depart Saturday after lunch. Programs longer or shorter than the 3-day program may also be scheduled according to facility availability. This year, we are offering additional options for teachers in the form of hour and a half class classes. Teachers can choose to do two of these classes in place of one of the traditional field trips (or 4 in place of 2 traditional classes!). We are very excited to be able to help teachers choose exactly those classes that they think will be most beneficial for their students.

Although the Consortium staff conducts all field trips and labs, teachers are encouraged to take an active part by helping instructors individualize the program. Teachers may request changes in certain elements of instruction with the School Programs Coordinator in order to develop a program that best suits their curriculum and student needs. Instruction is geared to grade level and science background, and while it is most effective for middle and high school students it may be modified easily for 4th grade and higher.

We can also customize an experience for your group that meets specific curriculum requirements or instructional goals. Groups are scheduled on a first-come/first-served basis, so reservations should be made early.

Each student must complete and sign an Acceptance/Medical Release Form. Transportation to and from the MSC is the responsibility of the school. The Consortium has a limited number of buses for local fieldtrips, at an additional cost.

General Information

The Coastal Ecology Program

-Lessons & Field Trips

-Sample Schedule

Young Coastal Explorers

Forms

FAQ's

Fundraising & Financial Aid

Teachers that want more information about our programs or are interested in booking can contact the Marine Science Consortium:

(757) 824-5636 or mscva@msconsortium.org

Group Size and Cost

Because of boat limitations, each group
should be between 15 and 23 total
participants or multiples of this group size.
Total participants includes both students
and chaperons. There must be two
chaperons for every 21 students, and a
male and female chaperon must
accompany a mixed group. If group size is
below 15, there is an extra charge for each person less than the minimum 15. There will be one MSC instructor for each group of 23 participants.

The student fee covers room and board, administration charges, all instruction, research cruise, and use of all pre-college station facilities during the program. All meals are served in our cafeteria. On the free night, you make take advantage of activities on campus such as campfires, movie night, outdoor games, etc. or visit Chincoteague and Assateague Islands for beach party at Assateague National Seashore (we provide the hotdogs, hamburgers and fixin's), ice cream at the famous Island Creamery, mini-golf, bowling alley, gift shops, etc.). During most days the Visitor Centers at NASA, Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge, and Assateague National Seashore are open free of charge.

The student fee for a three-day Coastal Ecology experience is $277/student.