Marine Biology Application*due by: 4:00pm Thursday, 5/12 at Webster Learning Center, 18th & Highly Street, Room 8

School year: 2011-2012Field study number: 14

List all science courses you have taken in high school and grade achieved for eachList 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 tran-

script printout from your counselor and staple it within this packet. Please also include sched-

uled science courses for next year and mark them accordingly.)

(Check with your counselor to be certain this is accurate. A suggested strategy is to get a tran-

script printout from your counselor and staple it within this packet. Please also include sched-

uled science courses for next year and mark them accordingly.)

Course Grade

name school & current grade

email phone

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Application OverviewMarine 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 any and all secondary 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. Though a good

deal of our work is completed online, a large portion of the face to face learning time in the course is accom-

plished in April on a field study 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 2012, as well as an

alternate list. For questions about this application or process please contact the instructor, Sean Nash:

sean.nash@sjsd.k12.mo.us I respond promptly to e-mail contact. Thank you so much.

Program ScheduleDate Event

May 9 INFORMATIONAL MEETING in room #8, 5:30pm, WEBSTER LEARNING CEN-

TER, 18th & Highly St. - Applications will be distributed at that time.

May 12 APPLICATIONS DUE to Mr. Nash at WEBSTER LEARNING CENTER room #8 by

4:00pm on this date if not earlier

May 16 STUDENTS ARE CONTACTED via email 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 18 MANDATORY MEETING for all students & parents of SJSD MARINE INSTITUTE

2011. Must be accompanied by one parent/guardian. A deposit of $200 is due

at this time. 7:00pm, WEBSTER LEARNING CENTER room #8

May 24 SUMMER EXPLORATION BEGINS with students taking home MacBook laptops

for self-paced online study throughout the summer

August 22 FIRST MEETING of class, 7:00 to 9:00pm at Webster Learning Center

March 30 DEPART FOR BAHAMAS FIELD STUDY the week of March 30th - April 7th

April 16, 2012 to

May 7, 2012

RESUME CLASSES, teach coral reef ecology lesson to an elementary class-

room, conduct culminating projects (websites, print publishing, video production,

etc.)

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Teacher Recommendation Page ITo the teacherThis 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, stu-

dents 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.

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Teacher signature and date

Teacher Recommendation Page IITo the teacherThis 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, stu-

dents 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.

Page 4

Teacher signature and date

Student PageTo the studentHonors Marine Biology will be a very challenging and unusual 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 at-

tached 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

Page 5

(essentially… “Why do I want to take Marine Biology?”)

Student Page II

Page 6

Parent/Guardian PageTo the parentParent-student-teacher communication throughout the Honors Marine Biology program is of utmost impor-

tance. 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 per-

mission 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 study-

abroad 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 $1400 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 $250 and

$400. This brings the price of this program to a total of between $1650 and $1800. From this amount, a

deposit of $200 to hold our spots at the field station will be due at the mandatory meeting on May 18th at

7:00pm at Webster Learning Center, 18th & Highly Street, Room 8.

*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 $1650 and $1800 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 to participate in Honors

Marine Biology. student’s name

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parent or guardian signature and date