A Canadian Marine and Environmental Science Program with SCUBA for senior high school students is currently registering applicants for sessions offered this summer. Offered by School District No. 64, Gulf Islands, the program is based at the Lester B. Pearson College of the Pacific near Victoria British Columbia. During the three-week adventure, participants earn an internationally recognized PADI SCUBA certification and full secondary school credit for Marine and Environmental Science.
The Canadian offering is unique among environmental courses since it takes place in the waters and amongst the old growth fir trees of British Columbia’s Vancouver Island.
Ian Mitchell, Summer Programs Coordinator comments, “We offer a truly spectacular, world-class program right here in our own backyard with some of the most fascinating underwater seascapes and terrestrial ecosystems to be found anywhere in the world.”
A maximum of 16 students take part in the program to learn about ecosystems and underwater inhabitants in and around nearby Race Rocks Ecological Reserve. Located within the Juan de Fuca Straight, the reserve possesses high levels of plankton and nutrients, resulting in increased populations of invertebrates, fish, harbour seals, sea lions, elephant seals and orcas.Several open water dives provide students with the opportunity to investigate the habitats, niches and other elements of the various ecosystems in the area.
Students coming to the program who are already SCUBA certified, earn advanced diving certifications, learn about underwater video and produce their own underwater movies.
Other field excursions include marine biology research facilities, Botanical Beach with its bountiful tide pools and a visit to Victoria. Guest speakers and a career seminar give students a flavour for the tremendous variety of occupations which involve the aquatic environment.
In addition to the Marine Science/SCUBA Program, a Studio Arts Program will also be offered this summer.The arts program will attract students seeking to an opportunity to increase and fine tune their skills in both 3-D and 2-D projects in the spectacular Pearson College setting. For Summer 2013, both courses run from July 14 through August 3.
For details about the 2013 summer sessions contact:
School District No. 64 Summer Programs Coordinator, Ian Mitchell
Email: summerprogramssd64@sd64.bc.ca
Web Site: http://www.summerprogramssd64.com
Phone: 250-537-6084
