SUMMER FIELD COURSES

The following courses may be available during summer school (not every course is offered every summer). The courses require commitment to meet outside of normal school hours at a maximum of once a week during second semester (required to earn one science elective credit).  The trips themselves, will then run during the summer (required to earn one science elective credit).  Summer field courses may not be used to satisfy any specific graduation requirement; they may be used only to satisfy requirements in Electives (see Graduation Requirements section of this catalog). In addition, any credits earned in the science field courses described below may NOT be applied toward the high school’s graduation requirement of 2 laboratory science credits. Students should inquire with their science teachers regarding which field courses will be offered during the summer session and check the following website for more information: http://oprfsciencetravel.weebly.com/.

S527 Field Marine Biology I

Open to freshman, sophomores and juniors
Prerequisite: One laboratory science class, permission of instructors, and recommendations of counselor/teacher
Summer School Only: 2 credits
This 2-credit course is divided into 2 major components. The pre-field experience component is designed to prepare students with the knowledge and skills necessary for them to be successful and engaged in the field experience component of the course. The pre-trip activities and requirements include field trips, research sessions, laboratory classes, meetings, and lectures, that will run during second semester. Students are expected to complete a research project prior to the summer field experience trip. Along with this project, homework, independent laboratories, a field notebook, and journal assignments are required of all students. The highlight and culminating field experience of this course is trip to Florida during the summer. During this portion of the course, students will travel to various research and informational facilities in Florida to study marine habitats including seagrass habitat, mangrove habitat, reef habitat, and open ocean habitat. Successful completion of this course provides 2 elective credits toward graduation.

S528 Field Marine Biology II

Prerequisite: Field Marine Biology I
Summer School Only: 2 credits
This field-based course expands on the concepts covered in Field Marine Biology I. Students must be SCUBA certified prior to the beginning of the field experience. Successful completion of this course provides two elective credits toward graduation.

S531 Tropical Field Ecology - Costa Rica

Open to freshman, sophomores and juniors
Prerequisite: One laboratory science class, permission of instructors, and recommendations of counselor/teacher
Summer School Only: 2 credits
This 2-credit course is divided into 2 major components. The pre-field experience component is designed to prepare students with the knowledge and skills necessary for them to be successful and engaged in the field experience component of the course. The pre-trip activities and requirements include field trips, laboratory classes, meetings, and lectures, that will run during second semester to help students develop and master science skills related to field studies in general and neo-tropical rainforests specifically. Students are expected to complete a research project, homework, independent laboratories, and journal assignments to become familiar with the experiences of biologists doing research in Central America. The highlight and culminating field experience of this course is the trip to Costa Rica during the summer. During this portion of the course, students will visit various sites to experience sustainable development in action, focus on conservation issues and efforts, and study the general biology, ecology, geology, and sociology relevant to the region. Successful completion of this course provides 2 elective credits toward graduation

S533 UK Field Ecology

Open to sophomores, juniors, and seniors
Prerequisite: One laboratory science class, permission of instructors, and recommendations of counselor/teacher
Summer School Only: 2 credits
This 2-credit course is divided into 2 major components. The pre-field experience component is designed to prepare students with the knowledge and skills necessary for them to be successful and engaged in the field experience component of the course. The pre-trip activities and requirements include field trips, laboratory classes, meetings, and lectures that will run during second semester to help students develop and master science skills related to field studies in general and UK ecosystems specifically. Students are expected to complete a research project, homework, independent laboratories and journal assignments to become familiar with the experiences of scientists doing research in the UK. The highlight and culminating field experience of this course is the trip to the UK during the summer. During this portion of the course, students will visit various sites in England and Wales to experience sustainable development in action, focus on conservation issues and efforts, and study the general biology, ecology, geology, archeology and sociology relevant to the region. Among the sites scheduled are Stonehenge, the Roman Baths, Big Pit National Coal Museum, the Brecon Beacons Mountains, Epping Forest, The Thames Barrier, The Natural History Museum, the Royal Botanic Gardens at Wakehurst and the London Wetlands. Successful completion of this course provides 2 elective credits toward graduation.

S559 Savanah Field Ecology - Tanzania

Open to sophomores, juniors, and seniors
Prerequisite: One laboratory science class, permission of instructors, and recommendations of counselor/teacher
Summer School Only: 2 credits
This 2-credit course is divided into 2 major components. The pre-field experience component is designed to prepare students with the knowledge and skills necessary for them to be successful and engaged in the field experience component of the course. The pre-trip activities and requirements include field trips, laboratory classes, meetings, and lectures, that will run during second semester to help students develop and master science skills related to field studies in general and savanna ecosystems specifically. Students are expected to complete a research project, homework, independent laboratories, and journal assignments to become familiar with the experiences of biologists doing research in Tanzania. The highlight and culminating field experience of this course is the trip to Tanzania during the summer. During this portion of the course, students will visit various sites to experience African wildlife conservation issues and efforts, focus on community interactions with the Maasai and Chagga people, and study savanna ecology, environmental biology, anthropology, and conservation relevant to the region. Successful completion of this course provides 2 elective credits toward graduation.