The knowledge of the world is only to be acquired in the world, and not in a closet. Lord Chesterfield

There is a great danger in the present day lest science-teaching should degenerate into the accumulation of disconnected facts and unexplained

formulae, which burden the memory without cultivating the understanding.

J. D. Everett, 1873

Hood’s Coastal Studies Program: Learning Environmental Science through a

Multidisciplinary Approach

Why hasn’t the 25-year restoration of the Chesapeake been more successful?

The Educational Perspective

Population increases have been coupled with increased mobility. • Lack of a “sense of place”• Constantly shifting baselines for environmental health and quality of life

Diminished opportunities for formal and informal environmental learning.

Diminished opportunities for field-based learning, especially in extended programs. A growing reliance on simulations and computer-aided instruction.Few opportunities to “connect the dots” among disciplines

Environmental Problems

Environmental Solutions? ?

Scientific UnderstandingHistorical / Cultural ClimateEconomic / Political EnvironmentCurrent Technological Capacity

Coastal StudiesProgram

“The study of culture, politics, history, and science in the context of coastal communities and environments.“

Why Study Coastal Environments?

• Just plain appealing to students

• Physically, ecologically, and culturally diverse• Generally “long” historical record• Academically relevant

What is the Coastal Studies Semester?• a travel-based semester centered on Mid-Atlantic Coastal environments and communities• a full semester of courses (14-17 credits)

• an opportunity for both Hood students and students from other colleges

• an opportunity to engage in and present original research

Coastal Studies Semester Courses

Coastal Community Ecology (4 credits)

Coastal Oceanography (4 credits)

The Chesapeake Bay: Human Impacts on a Natural System

(3 credits)

Related Elective in Literature, Policy, Economics

or History (3 or 4 credits)

Independent Research(2 credits)

Sampling Patuxent River Oyster Bar

What makes the Coastal Studies Semester unique?

• interactions with local artists, authors, scientists, and policy-makers

• first-hand, experiential learning environment• issue-based, the locations provide the “text”• learning with a purpose / student ownership

• learning community immersed in a group of closely interrelated courses in the liberal arts

Geology

Environmental PolicyLiterature

Estuarine Ecology

Provide extensive multidisciplinary background information in a classroom setting.

European Colonization

The Coastal Studies Program emphasizes travel and experiential learning.

Hood College acts as the base of operations with 3 extended trips planned throughout the

semester (1 month off-campus travel)

Trip 1 – Physiographic regions of the watershed, Up-land habitats,

Management of forests and freshwater resources

Trip 2– Environmental History, Archeology, Coastal Ecology, Oyster Management, Aquaculture, Restoration

Ecology

Trip 3 – Estuarine Ecology, Environmental History, Paleontology,

Oyster Disease, Fisheries Issues

What are the travel logistics of the Coastal Studies Semester?

• students / staff travel by van and transport all program materials

• stay 1 to 2 weeks at selected locationsResearch and Education Facilities dormitory housing & kitchen classroom and laboratory access additional library resources additional computers / internet access

• day trips from campus

sampling equipment laboratory equipment library resources computers

Forest Management

Stream RestorationGeology

Stream Ecology

A Sampling of Topics addressed during Trip 1

Chesapeake Biological Lab

Oxford Cooperative Laboratory

Horn Point Laboratory

Morgan State Estuarine

Research Center

Nauticus

Historic Jamestown

Historic St. Mary’s City

VIMS Eastern Shore Lab

Wallops Island Marine

Consortium

Marvesta Shrimp Farms

Major Sites Utilized during Trips 2 and 3 of the Program

Examples from Trips 2 and 3The Coastal Studies Interdisciplinary Approach

Measuring condition and disease prevalence in

native oysters

Learning about traditional fisheries from the Bay’s

watermen.

Archeology informing Environmental History

Concepts of barrier island geomorphology are brought

to life.

Blending classroominstruction, literature

review, and interviews with

hands-on science.

Summarize findings and place them within existing conceptual or

theoretical frameworks.

Examples of research topics:

• Nutrient-limitation of benthic Algae• “Flush-tax” legislation – willingness to pay• Ghost traps and marine debris in the Bay• Studies of invasive rusty crayfish

Independent Research

The Coastal Studies Program – A Student’s Perspective

“It’s a chance to try something new and different. – to see that

learning science can be personally and professionally

fulfilling.”

The Coastal Studies Program – A Student’s Perspective

“It’s a chance to meet and interact with scientists, policy-makers, and authors.”

The Coastal Studies Program – A Student’s Perspective

“The Program’s learning community approach and great access to professors boosts student confidence.”

Our Program Alums will Make a Difference for the Environment

Our alums have embarked on careers that will place them as the leaders in environmental fields. A sampling of their current pursuits:

• A Ph. D. candidate at the University of Rhode Island studying disease transmission in oysters.

• A Master’s Degree student at the University of Maryland in Marine, Estuarine and Environmental Science studying fisheries management

• A graduate student in Toxicology at the Michigan State University

• A marine science research assistant at Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute studying sea grass recovery

• A Ph. D. student at Georgia Tech studying marine chemical ecology

• A Master’s degree student studying conflict resolution and environmental sociology at Humbolt State University

• A graduate student at the Boston University School of Public Health

The Coastal Studies program …. a learning expedition

Does this Experiential Model Provide Positive Results?

Here’s What Our Alums Have to Say About the Coastal Studies Program……

“The Coastal Studies program has had a profound influence on my career in the marine sciences.”

“I learned a great deal about working independently as well as cooperating with multiple people. The research experience taught my valuable skills I will need in the future.”

“I came to Hood for this experience, but in the back of my mind I had regretted that this would replace a study abroad semester. Now I do not regret it at all. I got more out of this then I would have anywhere else. After seeing how rewarding this has been, I hope so many more can have this experience.”

“It is a great opportunity to work hands-on in the environment and learn from others.”

“It is a life changing experience that I will be able to put on resume’s and tell my kids about. I feel like I have learned more this semester than any other and I enjoyed it more than I would have in a classroom.”

“My Coastal Studies Semester experiences were the best of my undergraduate years and I would love to stay connected to the program as it grows.”

“…one of the best experiences of my life” …. “It was easily my most memorable college semester!”