© Photography. Used with Permission.

UTILA, BAY ISLANDS , July 27-August 3, 2019 Ocean Matters Marine Science Through Service Programs

At the Whale Shark Oceanic Come along with other ocean scuba dives; learn about the coral restoration project Research Center (WSORC) loving high-school aged challenges facing the coral performed on scuba. and Bay Islands College of students (15 or older) from all . Be part of the by Partake in other rare Diving (BICD), Utila, Bay over the world for the participating in whale shark, experiences that explore the Islands, Honduras experience of a lifetime. Earn coral and fish monitoring and nexus of technology, science, Open Water scuba address the many pressing and sustainability. certification; explore Utila’s environmental problems underwater riches in daily facing the through a Bring science to life! July 27-August 3, 2019 Utila, Bay Islands, Honduras Frequently Asked Questions

How might I benefit from Alumni of the program have challenges; develop research develop leadership skills; coming on this program? identified the following skills; feel empowered by develop grit and stamina benefits of the program: helping to solve a pressing through challenge; receive explore whether or not you environmental problem; scuba certification; receive want to pursue college study develop team work skills 6-10 hours of community and a career in marine including appreciation for service credit. See our science; increase self esteem differences, appropriate website for alumni through meeting both expression of feelings, testimonials. physical and academic effective problem solving;

What are the prerequisites for You do not need to be scuba Students for this program 2) Be able to swim 200 yards the program? certified to attend this must be: without stopping and tread program, as scuba training 1) High-school aged (grades water for ten minutes in order and certification is included. 9-12) and minimally 15 years to pass scuba certification. old when the program begins What activities will we be Each day will bring a fragments from an on-land will search for whale sharks in doing? completely different coral nursery onto an artificial the local waters. If we are breathtaking underwater substrate underwater. This will lucky enough to encounter a experience! be the centerpiece of our whale shark, we will monitor service project, as coral reefs their behavior and identify the The first several days will in the Caribbean have faced specific animal while revolve around our PADI unprecedented declines from using skills Open Water scuba warming waters. Planting new including the photo certification course. corals that might be more recognition methods we For at least 2 days we will be heat tolerant is a promising learned through classroom working in a confined pool- way scientists are addressing sessions earlier in the week. like setting on skills necessary climate change’s impacts on We will also identify the whale for scuba certification. Then the reef. shark’s sex and spotted we will move to open water; patterns to add to WSORC’s where we will do our final Afternoons will feature marine database. testing for certification. biology instruction such as participating in hands-on Leadership training is also a Once everyone in the group is opportunities to learn more component of our program. PADI Open Water scuba about the challenges facing Everything we do requires certified, we will explore the coral reef; learning coral young people to take Utila’s underwater treasures! and fish identifications to be responsibility for themselves There will be two educational used during dives and for and others in the group and boat dives focusing on coral obtaining REEF Fish allows opportunity for and fish monitoring and Identification certification; students to take frequent identification as part of our and understanding more leadership roles. Students service project. Monitoring about whale shark monitoring also receive direct leadership coral and fish diversity is an methods, including the high skills training and support in important way biologists track tech Wave Glider drones used bringing the learning home to the health of a coral reef. Then by WSORC. On our last day address pressing issues facing for three days we will we will spend the majority of the seas, no matter where participate in WSORC’s coral the morning on a whale shark they live, in projects around restoration project, where safari where with the help of rivers, lakes, and even students will be tying coral the Wave Glider Drones we landlocked ecosystems!

Coral restoration at WSORC. Image by Utila Dive Lodge. Used with permission. What will room and board be We will be staying at the Utila consist of rooms with two the Utila Lodge from the Utila like? Lodge, which is the home to double beds and will be airport. both the Bay Island College of shared by two same gender Diving and WSORC, allowing students in each room. Each Since we will be eating at a us to have access to a health room has its own bathroom full service restaurant, we are clinic, hyperbaric chamber, and includes air conditioning. able to accommodate any the dive charter boats, dietary restrictions. Please let restaurant, classrooms and You will arrive at the Lodge on us know in advance, however. labs all on one secure July 27th by ground campus. Accommodations transportation provided by

An aerial view of the Utila Lodge.

What role will Utila has some of the best McCallion. Laura is a PADI or higher certification. We play? diving in the world with a high Course Director, which is the adhere to and exceed the diversity of coral reef flora highest level of professional highest of PADI dive and fauna. PADI Open Water scuba certification available standards.. Once you have scuba certification is provided and has decades of paid a deposit, Laura will set with your tuition, as well as experience teaching students up your online scuba course three days of 2-tank of all levels. She will ensure work (approximately 12-14 educational boat dives. You that dives are customized to hours to complete) to be must have your own mask, fins your comfort and skill level. completed before attending and , but all other the program. If you have any scuba equipment including a We dive together in a group questions about the dive will be provided. with buddy pairs to ensure program, feel free to reach Diving will be supervised by safety. Each dive is supervised out to Laura McCallion at Ocean Matters Director of by at least three professional 508-320-5087. Dive Education Laura dive staff with a Dive Master Who will arrange my travel? You will be paying for and hotline number for from connecting hubs in the arranging your own air travel. unexpected changes to your United States. From San Pedro Please contact our preferred travel itinerary. Atlas Travel is Sula you will travel on to Utila travel agency Atlas Travel for also an expert at finding the by a short charter flight or booking. Atlas does charge a best prices for your flight. flights also arranged by Atlas. service fee, but Ocean Matters Once you have applied, we will gladly pay for this service Whenever possible Atlas will will give you the contact fee to ensure that you are well ensure that an OM staff information for Atlas Travel to taken care of on your trip. By member and other applicants initiate your arrangements. using Atlas you will have the will be on the same flight to peace of mind of obtaining a San Pedro Sula, Honduras

Utila Lodge standard double room. Image used with permission.

Who will the staff for this trip We will have a minimum of six and will be accompanied by science instruction. be? Ocean Matters staff Assistant Director of Dive Professional dive staff from supervising this trip. Ocean Education Peter Lewandowski Bay Island College of Diving Matters Director Cassie and and will be assisting in supervising Bergeron and Director of Dive Marketing Director Ari Liuzzi. the boat dives. Biographies Education Laura McCallion WSORC professional staff, for our staff can be found at will be involved in every instructors and researchers www.oceanmatters.org. aspect of supervising this trip will be presenting much of the How much does it The fee for the trip is meals a day), cost? $3,600 per person beverages, and which includes all accommodations. programming, scuba Airfare is not instruction, dives and included. Students gear, ground must also bring transportation, their own mask, activities, food (3 fins, and snorkel. How do I apply? Applications must be in by school teacher or a character application page. March 14, 2019. To apply, reference preferably from an please submit: unrelated adult. Acceptance decisions will be announced by April 1, 2019 A completed application An up-to-date transcript of all via an emailed letter. available online at high school work completed www.oceanmatters.org. to date (must include first semester). One letter of recommendation: either an A $50 application fee paid to academic reference Ocean Matters. The fee should preferably from a science be paid online via the teacher or another high

Do you still have questions or Please feel free to call Ocean 508-320-5087, who is leading questions could be sent to want more information? Matters Director of Dive this trip. Additionally, [email protected] Education Laura McCallion at