Advanced Marine Science Camp Program

Program Dates: July 7-19 and July 21-August 2, 2024

Typical Student Age Group: Ages 15-19

Prerequisites: 1 year of high school science (with lab component is preferred)

Program Location: Seal Harbor, Maine

Program Costs: AIO base tuition is $3,200 for Advanced: $3,300 for Advanced for College Credit
(the additional cost of 4 credits in 2023 was $553 and billed directly from UMM)

About This Program

The Advanced Sessions are pre-college courses offered to students age 15-19 who have completed one year of high school science, preferably biology or chemistry (though these are not required). These two-week sessions are of a more analytical nature, and students are expected to prepare laboratory reports and analysis of their field work.

We offer students the chance to explore their collegiate options during the advanced sessions with college tours and discussions about internships for high school and college age students. Several AIO students have been accepted at research facilities across the country and many have gone on to do their own scientific work in marine science.

The caliber of our students is so well respected that College of the Atlantic, in Bar Harbor, Maine, offers $10,000/year scholarships to any AIO student (up to $40,000 for the 4 years) who is accepted into their program with a recommendation from one of our Directors.

About College Credit

Since 2012, AIO has offered students who attend the Advanced Program sessions the opportunity to receive college credit for the program through the University of Maine Machias. Students who are applying to receive College credit for the Advanced Program will incur additional fees over and above the AIO base tuition cost. The cost of the credits from UMM’s Early College Program in 2023 was $553 for 4 credits and we’ll know the cost in the spring for the upcoming summer. UMM will bill participants separately. We’ll inform participants when UMM announces the 2024 cost and they will bill you directly. The tuition for the non-college credit 2024 Advanced Program is $3,200. Please review our College Credit page for more information on this program or our Tuition and Fees page for complete tuition details.

  • Create A Saltwater Tank
  • Explore Beaches And Understand Sand Movement
  • Study Diversity And Zonation Of Tidal Pools
  • Sanddollar Embryology
  • Fishing
  • Whale Watching
  • Explore Island Geology
  • Water Testing In Somes Sound
  • Dogfish Shark Dissection
  • College Tours

What to Expect

Program Schedule
Upon arrival between noon and 4 pm on Sunday, students will begin setting up their own saltwater tank and exploring the many marine environments available on Mt. Desert Island. Working in small groups, students will study the chemical, physical and biological aspects of oceanography during trips to the beach, tidal pools, saltmarsh, and bog. In addition, water sampling, whale watching and fishing boat trips round out the morning and afternoon activities. Departure is the last Friday morning with a family cookout offered starting at 11:30 am for those being picked up. See a sample Advanced Program Schedule.

See a sample schedule for the Advanced Program.

Example of an Advanced Program Lesson
See a sample Advanced Program Lesson.

Ready to sign up?