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Marine Science Program Expands OpportunitiesBy Natalie Carpenter, Courtesy of Kent News |
This new and exciting program is launching with a two-week expedition to the Caribbean. The Kent people developing the program say, “Students will live on a sailboat learning about sailing while pursuing greater knowledge of marine science through snorkeling and scuba. Students will be required to be self-sufficient but at the same time work as a team. They will learn a life-long respect for the sea while learning to respect one another. There are community service elements to this program, as well…”
As oceans continue to be threatened by over-fishing and pollution, this is an ideal time for students to learn more about the marine ecology and the aquaculture of the Caribbean. The trip was made possible with cooperation from the Sail Caribbean program, which will provide professional guidance. The Sail Caribbean program is designed to teach students basic sailing and navigation skills, while the Tropical Marine science course combines sailing, diving, water sports and marine biology.
The Kent students, accompanied by two Kent faculty members, will travel to Tortola in the British Virgin Islands to participate in the program supervised by four Sail Caribbean staff. Upon their arrival, they will board two 43-foot catamarans with living accommodations, including all amenities. The program was designed to provide a learning experience for both novice and experienced sailors. All meals will be provided with the understanding that the students are responsible for the preparing, cooking and cleaning. Mirroring life here at Kent School, each student will have a job while on the boat. They will rotate between skipper, first mate, cook and the various other boat responsibilities, as they work toward being able to take full command of the catamaran by the end of the two-week program. Snorkeling will be available to every student throughout the trip. In addition, a scuba diving option will be available to students wanting to try out diving or even become fully certified with the expert instruction and supervision of Sail Caribbean divers.
The students will participate in Kent’s Marine Biology curriculum and projects customized to fit Kent’s syllabus. Considering this is Kent’s first year attempting such a program, Sail Caribbean was chosen as the partner organization because of their more than 30 years of experience and their ability to design a program to match Kent’s particular needs. More information on the program on which the Kent one will be based is available here. Science Department Chair, Jesse Klingebiel, explains Kent’s goal to “establish a long standing relationship with the right program,” in order to provide the ideal learning experience to as many future Kent students as possible. In response to the enthusiasm about the trip to the Caribbean, Kent’s Science Department is hoping to add a Marine Biology class of their own to the school’s academic offerings. Students enrolled in the class, which would most likely be a spring term- contained course, would then continue their classroom learning with the trip to the Caribbean following Prize Day. Mr. Klingebiel elaborates on the enthusiasm surrounding the program by saying, “Many Kent students are passionate about sailing and also marine science, and the science department is excited to be able to help those students do what they love.” The trip is certain to be a once in a lifetime experience, providing the most coveted opportunities to learn about both sailing and marine biology. As a Kent alumna told us, “I am a Sail Caribbean alum! I recommended this program to many people. It was life-changing!”
