Earn High School Credit While Having the Time of Your Life!

Did you know that as a SeaTrek student you could earn high school credit in Aquatic Science (aka Marine Biology) and/or Physical Education (Adventure/Outdoor Education) through Orion High School’s approved SeaTrek courses? Orion High School (OrionHS.org) offers participating SeaTrek students the opportunity to earn credit (during their voyages) in AQUATIC SCIENCE, SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH & DESIGN, and ADVENTURE/OUTDOOR EDUCATION (Physical Education) courses.

If this interests you, then keep reading…

AQUATIC SCIENCE Course Description (1.0 Science Credit):
The Aquatic Science course uses background research, content lectures, hands-on explorations, and service work to equip students with the tools necessary to develop and investigate their own independent research question. Research questions are related to one of SeaTrek’s focus research/service-learning projects. Using a research workbook, students work remotely with our science instructors to do some basic background research and brainstorming prior to their voyage. Then during their voyage, students conduct their research and complete their research project outlines, which are presented to SeaTrek students and staff.
Notes:

• Portions of this course are included in the SeaTrek program, but to earn the academic credit (and official transcript) students also need to complete a project workbook and presentation and pay a course fee (info below).
• Students can still use their marine science/project work for community service hours as long as they have received permission from their schools. (The workbook and presentation requirement applies to academic credit hours only, not the optional community service hours option.)

SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH & DESIGN Course Description (1.0 Science Credit):
The Scientific Research & Design course uses the components of scientific study (problem identification, investigation design, data collection, data analysis, formulation, and presentation of the conclusions) to give students a real-world, experiential research experience. Research questions are related to one of SeaTrek’s focus research/service-learning projects. Using a research workbook, students work remotely with our science instructors to do some basic background research and brainstorming prior to their voyage. Then during their voyage, students conduct their research and complete their research project outlines, which are presented to SeaTrek students and staff.

Adventure/Outdoor Education Course Description (1.0 Physical Education Credit):
The Adventure/Outdoor education course is a PE course, focused on sailing and scuba. The course uses a combination of lectures, hands-on experience, physical activities, and practicums to carry out SeaTrek’s sailing & seamanship training and the scuba certification courses.
Notes:

• All components of this course are already included in the SeaTrek program, but to earn the official credit, students need to sign up and pay a course fee (info below).

Course Fees:

Upon successful completion of the Aquatic Science course, Scientific Research & Design, or the Sailing & Scuba course, students earn between one and three academic credits through Orion High School. Prior to the voyage, SeaTrek will act on each student’s behalf to contact their school and confirm credit approval. Receipt of credit is based upon school approval and payment of the course fee: 1 credit for $350; 2 credits for $550; or 3 credits for $700.

If you are still interested, then here’s what to do next…

Step 1: Contact Angie Cowan, SeaTrek’s Director of Education angie@seatrekbvi.com, and let her know which course(s) you are interested in: Aquatic Science, Scientific Research & Design, Adventure/Outdoor Education (PE), or a combination. You must notify Angie of your interest NO LATER THAN MAY 1st. This ensures us time to get credit approved and complete necessary paperwork.

Step 2: Angie will send you a reply email to gather a little more information and will inform Capt. Kat Daniel, Kat@seatrekbvi.com, so you can arrange for payment of the $50 deposit and/or course tuition.

Step 3: We will contact your school to confirm that they will accept your work for official academic credit. If not, another great option is to include the official transcript in your college application packet – to help set you apart from other applicants! Angie will continue to communicate with you and your school until all the necessary details and paperwork are in order.

Step 4: After receipt of payment, we will contact you again to provide additional instructions, resources, and course materials to prepare you for your course(s).

SeaTrek is VERY excited to be able to offer high school credit courses as part of our partnership with Orion High School. We hope you will take advantage of this great opportunity. If you have any questions or if you’d like more details about these courses, please don’t hesitate to contact Angie Cowan angie@seatrekbvi.com. We look forward to working with you! ☺