The Marine Science Consortium

...hands-on, feet-wet education

  Don't have a laboratory in your basement or an Oceanic Research Vessel in your backyard? Don’t worry, here at the Marine Science Consortium we understand the challenges parents face when they teach science in the home. The Marine Science Consortium is your resource for bridging the gap between marine science curriculum and student understanding. Our Homeschoolers Workshops are tailored for the budding Marine Biologist in your home. Our workshops provide hands-on observation of marine environments and life forms and time to socialize with other young marine biologist.

   Since 1968 The Marine Science Consortium has educated and inspired thousands of children, youth, and adults about the marine and coastal ecosystems along the Mid-Atlantic Region through place-based, hands-on experiences. The bays, marshes, beaches, maritime forests, and off-shore waters of Virginia's Eastern Shore are The Marine Science Consortium's classroom. Whether you are an individual interested in learning more about coastal and marine systems or seeking to pursue a career in marine sciences, The Marine Science Consortium offers a wonderful variety of opportunities to meet your educational and/or research goals.

Registration for 2012 Opens in December 2011
Register for homeschool programs by clicking on the button below.

1st Year Homeschool programs

2012 Dates : May 9-11, 2012, June 6-8, 2012, and September 19-21, 2012

Program Ages 9-15
Program Cost:
• $130.00 - per child age 9-15
• $110.00 - first parent/chaperone (additional parent/chaperones $130)
• $130.00 - siblings age 3-8 (younger sibling may attend and participate, but are unable to attend the research cruise field trip because of age restrictions on the boat.)
• Free- siblings age 2 and under
$95.00/$75.00 = (Commuter Rate: Commuter Rate includes all meals)

Homeschool Returners 2nd Year Program 

2012 Dates : October 03 - 06 2012

This program is for homeschoolers that attended our 2010 programming. This program is 3 days long and includes a marsh class, boat trip, beach / dune ecology course, visit to restrcited Wallops Island, waves and tides class and orienteering course.

Program Ages 9-15
Cost:
• $175.00 - per child age 9-15
• $135.00 - first parent/chaperone (additional parent/chaperones $145)
• $135.00 - siblings age 3-8 (younger sibling may attend and participate, but are unable to attend the research cruise field trip because of age restrictions on the boat.)
• Free- siblings age 2 and under
$120.00/$80.00 = (Commuter Rate: Commuter Rate includes all meals)

( prices include all instruction, fieldtrips, transportation to fieldtrip sites, materials, meals and lodging)

The 1st year Homeschool Program includes the following field trips and classes:

Oceanography Lab and Research Cruise Prep
Learn about Water sampling, salinity, temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen, currents, turbidity, benthic grab, and trawl. These method will be used to collect data on our reasearch cruise.

Oceanography Research Cruise
We will take a research cruise through one of the most productive ecosystems on earth! We will trawl to sample the myriad organisms found in our estuary. Your naturalist will give you in-depth background on the lifecycle and habits of the marine organisms caught.

Intertidal Beaches
We will visit Tom’s Cove and use seine nets and sieves for organism collection. We will also spend time sampling for various environmental parameters, species diversity, distribution, adaptation.

Organism Lab
In our exciting organism labs we will use Dichotomous keys, field guides and microscopes to examine the various organisms, zooplankton and phytoplankton collected in the field

Dune Ecology Field Trip to Wallops Island (Optional last day fieldtrip)
Travel to Wallops Island, a secure Island used for rocket launches and naval training. Visit the restricted pristine beach (that is not open to the public). Learn about dune ecology and collect shells. *Foreign Nationals are not allowed on the Base*

HOMESCHOOLER MARINE SCIENCE ADVENTURE PROGRAM SCHEDULE

Day 1
3:00 - 5:00 pm Program Check in at the Education Center
5:00 - 6:00 pm Dinner in MSC's Cafeteria
6:00 - 7:00 pm Welcome and Orientation 
7:00 - 9:00 pm Oceanographic Equipment Lecture
 

Day 2
7:30 - 8:30 AM Breakfast in MSC's Cafeteria
8:45 – 12:00 PM Oceanography Research Cruise- Board one of the Marine Science Consortium’s Research Vessels, for a cruise through one of the most productive ecosystems on earth! We will trawl to sample the myriad organisms found in our estuary. Your naturalist will give you in-depth background on the lifecycle and habits of the marine organisms caught. Students will also do scientific testing to examine the physical and chemical properties of salt water.

12:00- 1:00 PM Lunch in MSC's Cafeteria
1:00 – 4:00 PM  Intertidal Zone Lecture - Visit Tom's Cove and use seine nets and sieves for organism collection. We will also spend time sampling for various environmental parameters, species diversity, distribution, adaptation.

5:00-6:00PM Dinner in MSC's Cafeteria
6:30 - 9:00 PM   Organism Lab In our exciting organism labs we will use Dichotomous keys, field guides and microscopes to examine the various organisms, zooplankton
and phytoplankton collected in the field
 
Day 3
7:30 - 8:30 AM Breakfast in MSC's Cafeteria
9:00-10:00 AM Check out and Morning Wrap Up Session
10:00-12:00 PM  Optional Field Trip  : Wallops Island Dunes Trip