Summer Program

Students will be participating in field work out on boats Monday through Friday each week catching, tagging, and recording data on sharks and stingrays as well as participating in classroom lectures. Students perform all aspects of the field work from baiting hooks to setting longlines and nets and processing the animals. Students may sign up for as many weeks as you would like. Weeks do not have to be consecutive. Each week will be conducted similar to the example schedule shown below. Any student who chooses to attend multiple weeks will be given more responsibility on the boat each week. Students who attend multiple weeks will hear different lectures each week. There are six weeks of different lectures. Attend six weeks to hear them all!

Research Scientist 

(1-3 Weeks)

Students attending one through three weeks of our summer program will be considered as Research Scientists on our project. They will receive lectures each day regarding elasmobranchs and other local marine life.  They will be on the boats Monday through Friday learning how to set and retrieve our various types of research gear, learning how to handle and properly tag animals using different types of tags and techniques, collecting data such as measurements and tissue samples. They will receive instruction on safety and education regarding the species caught while on the boats including species identification and key facts. They can also participate in the manatee experience kayak trip and/or Venice shark tooth expedition on the local beaches.

Chief Scientist

(4 weeks +)

Students attending four weeks will be considered a Chief Scientist* on the research project.

Additionally, after the first two weeks you will have the opportunity to be placed in the role of TEAM LEADER on the boats. You will have the chance to supervise up to four students and be responsible for directing them with research procedures, processes and data collection. Team leaders also have a responsibility to assign positions for the day, rotate your staff through various roles, ensure they are performing according to establish standards and review their data collection to maintain proper documentation of all research efforts.

This is invaluable supervisory experience to add to your resume and your skill set.

Note: The team leader role is not required or mandatory in any way, it is there only as opportunity to gain supervisory experience and skills if you so choose.

Schedule*

Monday 8am Classrooms / 930am-430pm research boats

Tuesday 2pm Classrooms / 430pm - 11pm research boats

Wednesday 9am Breakfast Social* / 1030am-5pm Manatee trip or research boats

Thursday 8am Classrooms / 930-430pm research boats

Friday 8 am Classrooms / 930am-430pm research boats

Weekends are free time

SCHEDULE IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE DUE TO WEATHER OR OTHER CIRCUMSTANCES

Fees

Program Fees are currently $849 per week during early enrollment until December 31.

Late enrollment will be $949 per week if paid between January 1-March 31.

Housing is available, if needed at a cost of $345 per week.

*Chief Scientists will be acknowledged by name on any published papers resulting from this research. Since Chief Scientists spend more time with us we are better able to write detailed recommendation letters for these students.