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Thames May MiniMester 2018

Earn 3 credits May 7-18

Register for Thames May MiniMester!

Current Thames Students
QUESTIONS

860-701-5043
admissions@mitchell.edu
Text questions to: 860-910-1052

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Thames May MiniMester

(Mondays through Fridays, May 7-18) = 10 class days

Mystic Aquarium Conservation & Field Biology Course for current (2017/18) Thames Students

This 3 credit experimental Conservation & Field Biology course is the perfect mix of field based experiences and classroom programming. With curriculum developed and taught by Mystic Aquarium, this course concentrates on six conservation themes throughout the course, students will discover the pressures affecting ecosystems around the world, conservation efforts in place to protect species, and participate in outdoor based, field ecology studies. This course is designed to fully immerse students in outdoor educational opportunities.

Course format: This class will alternate classroom days with field days. Classroom days at Mystic Aquarium will provide background content relevant to the field conservation program, review sampling protocol & data collection, and introduce sampling equipment. Field days will occur entirely in the field and students will complete sampling protocol. Mitchell College will provide transportation to Mystic Aquarium and field sites as well as a chaperone who will accompany the students at all times.

Class Schedule Monday, May 7 to Friday, May 18, 2018
Monday – Thursday 1pm-5pm
Friday – 9am – 1pm

Last day to enroll in this class is May 3, 2018.

Last day to withdraw from this term with a “W” grade is Tuesday, May 8, 2018.

Cost

$2500 comprehensive fee which includes tuition, room & board, and transportation.

Course Highlights

Salt Marsh & Estuarine Biodiversity  

Classroom lab – Participants will learn how salt marshes connect to watersheds, how marsh health affects human health, and how monitoring can help measure how healthy a salt marsh is. Throughout the prep period students will learn the importance of salt marshes as well as how to identify common plant and animal species, measure marsh elevation, and sample marsh salinity, depth and temperature. Field Component – Barn Island, Stonington, CT

Horseshoe Crab Conservation

Classroom lab – This program highlights the interconnectedness between human health and the ocean.  Using horseshoe crabs as an example, this program will use lab-based and hands-on activities to illustrate how products derived from marine animals, benefit human health and well-being. The program will also discuss the conservation efforts in place to better protect this species. Field component – Bluff Point State Park, Groton, CT

Water Quality & Marine Debris Impacts

Classroom lab – Students will conduct water quality tests to measure dissolved oxygen, pH, and nitrates. By understanding healthy water parameters of local estuaries, students will discover some of the human influences that impact water quality and ways to lessen their effects. Field Component – Mitchell College Beach

Amphibian Conservation

Classroom lab – Following the class portion, students will understand the important role amphibians’ play as environmental indicators, local and global issues impacting amphibians, and how to identify local amphibian species by sight and sound.  Upon completion of the day, students will become trained in the FrogWatch USA protocol and will be able to sample and submit data into a national database. Field component – Mitchell College Woods

Register for Thames May MiniMester!

Current Thames Students