By McCall Reeder
Intern
For high school juniors and seniors interested in exploring the career field of marine science, New Hanover County Schools offer a hands-on program that is now open for enrollment. Students interested in applying are encouraged to attend an open house Tuesday, April 5th in room 419 of Ashley High School from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.
Ashley High School’s Marine Science Academy is currently accepting applications for the 2016-17 academic year. Any rising junior or senior in New Hanover County is eligible to apply to the program; applications can be found on the Ashley High School website under the Marine Science Academy tab and are due April 15.
The academy works with the University of North Carolina Wilmington and Cape Fear Community College throughout the year as the students meet daily at either campus to use the marine science facilities. Upon completion of the program, students may earn up to six college credits. The program also has internship opportunities within the marine science field.
Sandra Cecelski, a marine science educator for 27 years, is the academy’s main contact person and lead instructor.
“We’ve got a ton of information that’s easy to access on the website,” Cecelski said.
On the website, she details that any student with a particular interest in marine science who is curious about career options for the field is highly encouraged to apply.
The minimum requirements for applying students are accomplishment in honors-level classes of Earth/environmental science, biology and chemistry/physics. It is recommended that students have completed advanced placement environmental science, physics, and/or chemistry.
The program is very hands on, Cecelski said, as it involves exploring the community’s expansive coastal resources and habitats.
In fact, Marine Science Academy students will have the opportunity to get SCUBA certified during the year-long program, she said. Students who do get certified will also have the opportunity to dive during the program’s spring break trip to the Florida Keys.
The program’s Instagram account details many students’ various activities with the current program, including SCUBA certification, volunteering with the North Carolina Coastal Federation, monitoring the health of an oyster reef in the Cape Fear River and learning how to use a microscope for the first time.
The Instagram handle is @marinescienceacademy and the website can be accessed through Ashley High School’s web page at http://sandracecelski.wix.com/marinescienceacademy.
Students and parents may also contact Cecelski at [email protected] or call 910-790-2360 ext 419 to learn more about the program.
