Hawai'i Preparatory Academy Marine Science Program
From Top Left: Mrs. Martin, Cara, Jillian, Molly, Jackie, Jeff, Tyler, Jeffery
During the summer of 2008, Mrs. Martin, my high school biology teacher, took seven students to a two week marine science class at the Hawai'i Preparatory Academy on the Big Island of Hawai'i. This course included 43 other students from High Schools throughout Jefferson County.
This was no vacation, the course counted for a semester of science credit, with days beginning at 7:00 AM, with projects keeping us up past midnight most nights. It was no stroll in the park, but the knowledge and experience of those two weeks are among the most treasured memories that I possess. The entire group was bonded by the work that we were doing, leading to intense friendship.
Each day we would wake up at 7:00 AM for breakfast, followed by lectures on Island history or lessons on the native plants and animals. The primary focus was on the marine life; each day we would ride a bus down to the ocean, where we would spend several hours snorkeling to observe the ocean plants and animals. Each of us students kept a journal every day, which we would use to collect drawings of fish, maps of the island and notes from the lessons we took part in.
Never before had I experienced this close of a bond with my school mates, nor had I been so enthusiastic about school work. The experience at Hawai'i Preparatory Academy Marine Science Program is a store of knowledge and memories that I will treasure for the rest of my life. Please feel welcome to browse through the following photo gallery, I have selected pictures that display the highlights of the trip.
This was no vacation, the course counted for a semester of science credit, with days beginning at 7:00 AM, with projects keeping us up past midnight most nights. It was no stroll in the park, but the knowledge and experience of those two weeks are among the most treasured memories that I possess. The entire group was bonded by the work that we were doing, leading to intense friendship.
Each day we would wake up at 7:00 AM for breakfast, followed by lectures on Island history or lessons on the native plants and animals. The primary focus was on the marine life; each day we would ride a bus down to the ocean, where we would spend several hours snorkeling to observe the ocean plants and animals. Each of us students kept a journal every day, which we would use to collect drawings of fish, maps of the island and notes from the lessons we took part in.
Never before had I experienced this close of a bond with my school mates, nor had I been so enthusiastic about school work. The experience at Hawai'i Preparatory Academy Marine Science Program is a store of knowledge and memories that I will treasure for the rest of my life. Please feel welcome to browse through the following photo gallery, I have selected pictures that display the highlights of the trip.