Earn College Credit in one of the Most Beautiful Places on Earth
Islands Through Time and Rivers Through Time are College of the Atlantic's summer programs for rising high school juniors and seniors who want to learn in multiple settings, explore the connections between science, art and the humanities and engage in an intensive program of reading and study combined with active, applied learning opportunities.
College of the Atlantic focuses on the relationships between humans and their environments in an integrative manner (Human Ecology). These programs will explore environmental, aesthetic, cultural, political, historical, and economic aspects of a region of focus, either coastal Maine islands or the remote wilderness rivers of Maine. Both programs have a component that takes place on the COA campus and Mount Desert Island, which includes Acadia National Park. In addition, students will spend time on multi-day trips to the colleges island research stations or on the Allagash Wilderness Waterway in northern Maine.
Either of these programs will provide you with opportunities to reflect on your place in the world and to develop skills you will use in college and beyond. We are looking for a select group of students willing to take advantage of a unique educational opportunity at a pivotal moment in their lives. Are you ready for the challenge?
© Copyright 2010 ,College of the Atlantic* 105 Eden Street Bar Harbor, ME 04609 * 207.288.5015 * inquiry_coa.edu
Program Overview
The program begins with an
introduction to the ecology and
culture of Down East Maine at
College of the Atlantic's
ocean-side campus.
The first few days of the course focus on the marine ecology, literature, and cultural history of the Maine coastline. Next, we will spend the night at the college's field stations on Mt. Desert Rock and Great Duck Island, sleeping in the islands' light stations and experiencing firsthand the joys and challenges of marine field research.
Returning to shore, we will explore the livelihoods of the people who have made this coast their home and how the changing environment has shaped their experiences. Students will continue to express themselves through music, writing, and photography.
Throughout the course, students will be working directly with College of the Atlantic faculty members, writing extensively about their experiences, and working as part of a team to develop a multi-media presentation that they will share with their professors, peers, and the public at the end of the session.
During the Course you will:
faculty
Prof. John Cooper, professor of Music and Media and COA Composer in Residence
Dr. Steve Ressel, professor of Herpetology
Dr. Sean Todd, Steven K. Katona Chair in Marine Studies
Dr. Karen Waldron, professor of Literature
Rivers Through Time begins and ends on the COA campus. Through reading and discussion, students will gain an introduction to the natural history, conservation, literature, and emotional and psychological aspects of wilderness and river systems.
While on Mount Desert Island, students will explore Acadia National Park, which provides a connection to the outdoors for millions of visitors each summer. These experiences and observations will be contrasted with the experience of a downriver canoe-camping expedition on the much more remote Allagash Wilderness Waterway in northern Maine. Writings by Thoreau as well as contemporary authors will provide context for the canoe expedition. The expedition will serve as our laboratory to experience and explore group dynamics in a wilderness setting and to examine conceptions of leadership, authority, and community as well as the transformative power of shared adventure. Upon returning to campus, students will compile samples of their writing and photographs to be shared in a final group presentation.
Loren Eiseley once remarked, "If there is magic on this planet, it is contained in water." Eiseley's observation is an underlying premise of this program - that there is something very special about moving water. Learning about rivers by spending time on them with a team of faculty provides a powerful lens for examining broader questions about the nature of humans and environment.
Faculty
Prof. Kenneth Cline, professor of Public Policy and Environmental Law
Dr. Helen Hess, professor of Invertebrate Zoology
Dr. Kenneth Hill, professor of Education and Psychology
Dr. Bonnie Tai, professor of Education and Educational Methods
For more information visit:
www.coa.edu/HSPrograms
Contact us at:
207-801-5631 or
islandsthroughtime_coa.edu
Or, fill out a High School Student Programs inquiry card
At College of the Atlantic, we believe that students learn best when they get as much individual attention from faculty as possible. Groups of students will rotate through a variety of activities and learning experiences, while individuals or smaller groups of students will participate in intensive tutorials. This program is limited to 16 students.
Program Dates & Costs
August 1-13, 2010
$3,700 all-inclusive*
(food, lodging, sea travel and college credit)
*limited financial aid available
The logos and the photography for this website were provided by the site's creator, COA senior, Zach Whalen.
High School Summer Programs
