High School & Gap View Book

High School & Gap Year Programs

SEA offers a range of experiential programs focused on the pressing current issues affecting the ocean — and the world.

CLIMATE CHANGE Explore the community impacts of climate-related changes on shore and at sea

OCEAN PLASTICS POLLUTION

Engage with SEA’s ocean plastics data collected by students and faculty during the past 35 years

CORAL REEF CONSERVATION

Study human impacts on coral reef ecosystems in the Atlantic and the Pacific

ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE Examine social equity issues such as food security, deforestation, and displacement from coastal lands

COASTAL COMMUNITIES IN THE 21ST CENTURY Consider the dynamic relationship between nature and culture in coastal and island locations

MARINE POLICY Analyze strategies and approaches to communicating marine policy in various parts of the world

THE SEA EXPERIENCE expands imaginations as to what is possible – in college, career, and life. Students challenge themselves, discover strengths, and gain new skills and knowledge while exploring the ocean from a variety of perspectives.

. . . e n i Imag RAISING THE SAILS AT SUNRISE WITH YOUR WATCH

TAKING THE HELM OF A TALL SHIP

LEARNING TO NAVIGATE

BY THE STARS

CONTRIBUTING TO ONGOING OCEANOGRAPHIC DATA COLLECTION

LEARNING DIRECTLY FROM PROFESSIONAL OCEANOGRAPHERS AND POLICYMAKERS

ANALYZING TODAY’S SAMPLES IN THE ONSHORE OR ONBOARD LAB

High School Programs AT SEA During SEA’s summer programs at sea, you’ll sail aboard the SSV Corwith Cramer in the Atlantic or the SSV Robert C. Seamans in the Pacific. Guided by professional scientists and crew members, you’ll gain direct experience in conducting oceanographic research, sailing a tall ship, and developing leadership and teamwork skills. While on the lookout for whales, sharks, and other wonders of the deep blue, you’ll discover the rewards of life at sea and contemplate how to continue your connection to the ocean.

Eligibility: Rising high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors, as well as recent high school graduates. No sailing experience required.

ON SHORE Study the marine environment from scientific, historical, literary, and nautical perspectives while living on SEA’s Woods Hole campus on Cape Cod. Topics and activities include oceanography, maritime issues, hands-on laboratory and field research, and visits to world-renowned research facilities such as Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution and the Marine Biological Laboratory.

Many students choose an on shore program first and then a program at sea for a subsequent experience.

Eligibility: Rising high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors, as well as recent graduates. Higher-level science programs and precollege credit-bearing programs may have prerequisites.

VIRTUAL Join a diverse community of high school students from around the world who share a passion for ocean science and want to understand marine conservation while building their skills, resume, and portfolio for college. Working with SEA faculty, you’ll study marine science, nautical science, science writing, and environmental history, all while engaging with real oceanographic data.

All virtual programs include a range of active, hands-on activities and live meetings with ocean experts who share their career paths. Options may include summer, semester, and various ocean-related themes. Students can choose the format that best meets their goals or apply for multiple sessions.

Eligibility: 8th grade through high school students.

For details of upcoming programs, please visit www.sea.edu/high-school SEA also offers custom programs on shore and at sea. Contact institutionalrelations@sea.edu to learn more.

Ocean Exploration Gap Programs Taking place both on shore and at sea, Ocean Exploration combines oceanographic research and tall ship sailing for a small community of students who are passionate about climate change, marine debris, environmental justice, conservation, and related topics. Each program is designed around a theme relevant to the cruise track.

Saint John

Woods Hole

Saint Croix

Montserrat

Guadaloupe

Dominica

SEA offers gap year or winter start/midyear admit students who are interested in the oceans the opportunity to study the marine environment through the lenses of science, maritime history and culture, and policy while developing valuable leadership and teamwork skills.

Gap programs begin on the SEA campus in the oceanographic research hub of Woods Hole, Massachusetts, for six weeks of preparation and community building before joining one of our tall ship ocean research vessels.

As full working members of the scientific team and sailing crew, students manage shipboard operations, participate in the 24-hour watch rotation, and analyze oceanographic samples while completing an epic ocean passage.

Florida Keys

Two Options for Gap Students Ocean Exploration: Experiential Gap Program You’ll be involved in all aspects of the Ocean Exploration program, including sailing a tall ship, standing watch, science deployments, lab research, and faculty mentorship - but you will not receive grades or college credit. For many students, this experience offers something different after many years of school that emphasized academic achievement. Exploration is the name of the game explore the ocean while exploring your interests, passions, and future academic and career goals.

“I chose to participate in the noncredit-bearing program because I wanted my gap year experience to be focused entirely on gaining new experiences and learning more about myself. By choosing the program that was noncredit, I was able to focus on learning as much as I could about sailing, science, and the world without having to focus on grades. Following my gap year experiences, I felt confident and excited to get involved with research at my university that I likely would not feel ready for without my gap year experiences.”

Advantages of This Option

Aileen McDonald, American University



Allows you to explore college options and majors

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Enables enjoyment of the experience without concern about grades

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Is ideal if the college you’ve been accepted to does not allow you to earn college credit during a gap year

Ocean Exploration: College Credit Gap Program As a gap student or a winter/midyear admit to college, you can get a head start on your undergraduate degree. You’ll take courses such as oceanography, maritime studies, nautical science, oceanographic field methods, and design, and conduct your own research project, either individually or in a small group. Having this experience will allow you to incorporate the perspectives and skills you’ve learned into the college experience and to dig deeper once you’re there.

Advantages of This Option 

Earn 17 college credits from Boston University.

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Start college with enhanced skills for academic success.

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Stay on track for an undergraduate degree in four years.

“When I found out that I had been accepted into Hamilton College as a January admit, my shock quickly turned into excitement. I was intrigued by the opportunity to take a different and more adventurous path than most incoming first-year students. SEA gave me a family of scientists and sailors at sea, and an even greater connection to the ocean. It has immensely impacted my time at Hamilton and my confidence in knowing what classes and research I am interested in, as well as what I want to do after graduation. ” Maddie Hurtgen, Hamilton College For details of upcoming programs, please visit www.sea.edu/gap SEA also offers custom programs on shore and at sea. Contact institutionalrelations@sea.edu to learn more.

Three Campuses SSV Robert C. Seamans • US flagged; US Coast Guard certified and inspected • Sails in the Pacific • Complement 40 persons • Rig: Brigantine • Construction: Steell; built in Tacoma, WA • Length overall: 134.5 feet • Sail area: 8,554 sq. ft.

• Auxiliary engine: 455 horsepower Caterpillar diesel • Scientific lab on board

Woods Hole, MA • Sited on the traditional homeland of the Wampanoag people • James L. Madden Center for Maritime Studies • Classrooms, lab, and library • Student accommodations & administrative offices • Access to Woods Hole scientific community, Shining Sea Bikeway, and private beach

SSV Robert C. Seamans SSV Corwith Cramer • US flagged; US Coast Guard certified and inspected • Sails in the Atlantic • Complement 38 persons • Rig: Brigantine • Construction: Steel; built in Bilbao, Spain • Length overall: 134 feet • Sail area: 7,500 sq. ft.

• Auxiliary engine: 500 horsepower Cummins diesel • Scientific lab on board

Plus...

Partners, collaborators, and potential port stops in coastal communities spread across the Atlantic and the Pacific in locations including US and British Virgin Islands, Bermuda, Hawai’i, Tahiti, Kiribati, and New Zealand.

Student Health, Safety, and Well-Being Safety is SEA’s highest priority – both on shore and at sea. Programs are carefully designed and planned to provide support and maximize health, safety, and well-being during all components of the student experience. We operate under a philosophy of prevention but prepare for and are capable of a broad spectrum of response.

On Shore Staffing and Communications • Full-time, on-site professional student affairs staff in Woods Hole • Risk management planning and emergency response protocols • Preprogram medical clearance process • 24-hour emergency communications for parents and families

Safety at Sea

• Highly trained and experienced captains and crew members; daily communication with Woods Hole • Cruise tracks planned according to weather patterns, sea conditions, and research clearances • Designated medical officer and medical kit on board • 24-hour access to a network of physicians trained to provide remote medical care and advice • Emergency medical evacuation coverage

Student Support

• SEA welcomes students from diverse backgrounds • SEA strives to provide an affirming, inclusive learning environment • Preprogram advising and planning for medical/mental health conditions • Learning accommodations for a variety of student needs • Virtual and in-person orientation sessions • Regular check-ins with faculty and staff throughout the program

Admissions SEA welcomes applications from high school and gap year students interested in any aspect of the ocean. Students apply using our online application portal to submit transcripts, references, and short essay responses and then complete a short admissions interview. We review each application carefully, with an emphasis on student interest, motivation, and goals for the selected program. SEA accepts students on a rolling basis and space is limited, so applicants are encouraged to apply early to ensure space in their first-choice program.

SEA admissions staff are available to advise and support students throughout the program selection and application process. Please contact Admissions at admissions@sea.edu or by calling 800-552-3633.

Financial Assistance SEA works closely with students and their families to make participation in our programs a reality. SEA’s admission process is need blind and applying for financial aid does not affect the probability of a student being accepted.

SEA has limited funds available to assist students who demonstrate family financial need. We work closely with parents/guardians to estimate costs, discuss available aid, and consider options, including outside scholarships and payment plans.

SEA Fast Facts

Part of the oceanographic research community of Woods

Hole

Founded in 1971

2 tall ship sailing school vessels Operates in the Atlantic and the Pacific 7-acre shore-based campus on Cape Cod Largest ocean plastics database in the world Institutional & faculty funding from NSF, NOAA & NASA 10,000+ student alumni College credit through Boston University Past and present port stops include Saint Croix, Tahiti, Cuba, Jamaica, Fiji, Ireland, New Zealand, Honduras, Galapagos Islands, Mallorca, Hawai’i, France, Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai, New York City, Dominica, Grenada, Bermuda, San Diego, American Samoa, Canary Islands, Maine, Sint Maarten, Mexico, Kiribati, Key West, Saint John, San Francisco, Puerto Rico, Tuvalu, Martinique, Antigua, Palmyra & more.

The SEA Mission

SEA Undergraduate Programs

Sea Education Association (SEA) is a leading nonprofit independent educational institution focused on environmental studies and the ocean. Since 1971, SEA has been dedicated to educating the next generation of ocean scholars, stewards, and leaders.

In addition to gap year and high school programs, SEA offers a comprehensive portfolio of semester and summer programs for college undergraduates.

Current programs include: Sustainability in Polynesian Island Cultures & Ecosystems

The SEA Vision SEA educates and inspires ocean scholars, stewards, and leaders. SEA fosters and enhances knowledge about the state of oceans and coastal communities. It also helps shape public dialogue and policy through long-term environmental research, global partnerships, and the continued impact of our students, faculty, and alumni worldwide.

Ocean Exploration: Plastics Expedition The Global Ocean Pacific Reef Expedition Marine Biodiversity & Conservation Caribbean Reef Expedition Climate & Society Oceans & Climate

SEA invites proposals for collaborative custom programs on shore or at sea from high schools, colleges or universities, and other organizatio

admissions@sea.edu WWW.SEA.EDU | 800-552-3633 PO BOX 6, WOODS HOLE, MA 02543