Summer 2008 Brochure: Course Descriptions

SEASHORE LIFE (7-8) A, B, AB Students will explore and study the various areas of the seashore, including dunes, marshes, beaches, and shallow water. On field trips and in the classroom, students will learn about the flora and fauna of the seashore. Their activities may include setting up aquaria, experiments, art projects, and collections. In the three-week version, students will explore the areas of the seashore and will learn about the seashore life forms and their communities.

WOODS, PONDS, AND FIELDS (8) A, B Students will observe the local habitats of plants and animals both outdoors and in classroom tanks. They may make collections of plants, insects, and other natural objects. Separate units will introduce students to botany, entomology, herpetology, geology, and limnology.

AQUATIC LIFE (8-9) AB Come learn about fish, crustaceans and other aquatic life found in our local bays, sounds and marshes. Using collection, observation and experimentation, students will become acquainted with the animals and plants that live an aquatic life.

ANIMAL BEHAVIOR (9) A, B Ever wonder why certain animals live where they do or behave in particular ways? Through collection, observation and experimentation, this course will study the habits and habitats of local animals.

MARINE BIOLOGY (9-10) A, B, AB This is a diverse field- oriented course, which takes full advantage of low tide to see, study, and collect the major groups of animals and plants of the ocean. Students will visit rocky, sandy, and marshy ecosystems for their study. In the classroom, students will use dissecting microscopes and will make a shell collection. The six-week version will study these areas in greater depth.

GEOLOGY OF CAPE COD (10-11) A Students will be introduced to the geological history of Cape Cod. The course will focus on such topics as: Cape Cod’s rock record and history, fossils, soil and water. Laboratory modeling and fieldwork will help students examine the changes in the environment over the past geological period.

COASTAL BOTANY (10-11) B Study the fauna and floral of Woods Hole’s coastal regions. Students will study basic and intermediate botanical concepts through demonstrations, experiments and projects. They will collect specimens for their own herbarium!

OCEANOGRAPHY (10-11) AB Students will examine the physical and chemical features that comprise our oceans. They will learn about ocean zonation, beach profiles, wave formation, astronomical observations on tides and currents, seafloor mapping, and considerations of light, temperature, and food. Students will also be introduced to marine robotics, engineering and it’s oceanographic applications.

TERRESTRIAL NAVIGATION (11-12) A Why learn to navigate on land? It’s the best training for how not to get lost! Students will learn how to use a compass, read a map, determine distance, take bearings and navigate from point to point. The sport of orienteering and use of a GPS will be covered. There will be plenty of opportunities to try out new found skills.

NAUTICAL SCIENCE (11-12) B This course is an introduction to navigation using the traditional tools, including nautical charts, compasses, and celestial observations. We will explore the principles governing vessels under sail, such as stability and aerodynamics, and will examine factors affecting navigation at sea to gain a better understanding of weather and the tides.

ICHTHYOLOGY (11-12) AB In this class students not only will learn about how to fish using different baits and lures, setting traps and using seines, they will have the opportunity to learn about characteristic species of different North Atlantic and freshwater habitats and to observe the diversity of form and different strategies for survival.

ENTOMOLOGY (12-13) A,B, AB Why are insects so successful? Investigate the interesting world of insects through the collection and classification of living insects. Study their identification and ecology. Each student will have the opportunity to make a collection of preserved specimens and sketches of insect anatomy.

EMBRYOLOGY (12-13) A How long does it take for an organism to develop? During development a single cell will grow into many different cell types with different shapes and jobs. This course will introduce and explore the changes and stages of embryonic development in organisms. Through collection and microscopic research, students will follow the growth and changes in the embryo.

MICROBIAL LIFE (12-13) B Find out more about the strange and exciting world of microbes. Observe and learn how bacteria and viruses survive and thrive. Discover how they change and shape our environment. Students will collect samples from the local environment using the classroom for microscopic observation and learning.

ELECTRONICS AND ENGINEERING (12-14) A,B Students will focus on the technical, economic, environmental and social aspects of real-world marine engineering and electronics. Frequent field trips and data analysis will be used to study propulsion and energy. Through project design, data analysis and field exploration students will explore the physical principles behind modern marine technology. Session A will focus on theory and design. Session B will focus on construction of ROVs. While Session A is not a prerequisite for Session B, class placement preference for Session B will go to students who plan to take both Sessions A and B in 2008.

METEOROLOGY AND CLIMATOLOGY (13-15) A What is the weather and how long will it last? What is the difference between weather and climate? What are the factors affecting climate change? Simple instruments for answering these questions will be constructed by students. Weather charts, satellite images, and other traditional instruments will be used to explore local weather as well as weather trends.

GLOBAL SUSTAINABILITY (13-15) B Study sustainability from the vantage point of Woods Hole institutions, businesses and individuals who are working on sustainable fisheries, agriculture, construction, energy and transportation. Participate in concrete projects that improve sustainability, beginning with developing a plan to make CSS more energy efficient. Learn how local Woods Hole actions reach around the globe.

NATURE AND FILM (14-16) A Come explore the interface between digital video and nature. Discover the important role of video in documenting and influencing our interactions with the natural world. Collaborate to create a short video to premier with the CSS community.

BIOLOGICAL ILLUSTRATION (13-16) A Illustration can be a most useful and beautiful method of recording information. Become familiar with basic techniques of biological illustration, while examining the structure, anatomy and functions of local organisms. This course will also touch upon how biological illustrations are applied to science today.

ADVANCED MARINE BIOLOGY (14-16) B Students will delve into the biology and ecology of marine vertebrates and invertebrates, their evolution and classification, anatomy and physiology, ecology and behavior. This course will include snorkeling field trips, experiment design and analysis, and a whale watch!

EXPERIMENTS IN WOODS HOLE (14-16) B For more than a century Woods Hole has been "an international center for research, education and training in biology." Distinguished scientists from around the world come to study the diverse and abundant marine organisms in local waters. This innovative course is designed for the discernible young scientist with an interest in and a curiosity for exploring the experiments and investigations that take place in Woods Hole.

PHOTOGRAPHY The landscape of photography has changed greatly since the inception of these courses. Digital photography has now surpassed film photography in popularity and affordability. Lower demand for film developing supplies has greatly increased the cost. With the retirement of our long-time instructor Beth Armstrong, we will be phasing out these courses. We expect to offer Advanced Photography in 2008 and 2009. Students who have previously taken Beginning Photography at CSS will be given preference in Advanced Photography.

ADVANCED PHOTOGRAPHY (14-16) AB In this popular, intensive, six-week class, students will review the basic principles of photography including the balance of light and time, composition and darkroom procedure. The six weeks allow these advanced students to focus on printing techniques and photographic essay. Limited to 10 returning students. Material Fee: $60

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