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| New Boat Will Be Valuable Tool for Marine Science and Biology Students |
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University of New England undergraduate students now have a valuable new tool for education and research: a 23-foot boat that will provide biology and marine science students with expanded opportunities for shoreline and open-water field studies.
 The Maritime Patriot, equipped with a 225-horsepower outboard and trailer, was purchased with an “Innovative Proposal Award” funded by the President’s Office.
UNE President Sandra Featherman invited the entire University to submit innovative proposals to purchase highly desired equipment or materials that would both enhance the educational experience and benefit a large number of students.
The boat proposal, submitted by the Marine Science Education and Research Center and the Biology Department, was the president’s choice in the single $50,000 category. She also invited proposals for five $5,000 projects.
“Many aspects of marine science can only be taught under field conditions,” noted Phil Yund, Ph.D., director of the Marine Science Center. “Field experience is especially critical for upper-level courses and student research projects that challenge the student to make the transition from learning the facts of science to understanding the actual processes of doing science. A huge portion of the discipline addresses issues and problems specific to marine habitats that can only be reached by boat. This boat purchase will provide our students with a thorough and balanced exposure to marine science.”
UNE currently owns two smaller boats, used for individual research projects, but their limited range, operating conditions and passenger capacity prohibit their use in formal classes.
The Maritime Patriot accommodates eight passengers, permitting upper-division classes to do field work as one or two groups, and provides field experience for larger introductory classes that are broken into smaller field teams. It has a center cabin and is powered by a four-stroke engine that is much more environment-friendly than conventional two-stroke engines.
Biological Sciences is the largest department in UNE’s College of Arts and Sciences, with more than 400 students enrolled in five different majors.
(Press release issued June 3, 2004) |
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