•
BIDDEFORD, Maine

UNE announces 'Early College' summer program for high school students

The University of New England will launch an exciting for-credit "Early College" program for high school juniors and seniors this summer.  

Drawing on its exceptional waterfront location, outstanding faculty, and nationally recognized programs, UNE has developed a hands-on program that enables students to experience college life on the scenic Maine coast this summer while earning 3 college credits.  Two programs are being offered in July 2010.

The Coastal Maine Ecology Program - July 11-23, 2010
(3 college credits)

UNE has one of the premier marine sciences/environmental studies program on the East Coast, and its Marine Science Center provides state-of-the-art facilities for marine education.

In this program, high school students will study marine habitats, such as salt marshes, barrier beaches, rocky coastlines and open ocean, and discuss important topics of ecological concern, such as local endangered species and pollution.

They will learn about marine ecosystems in the field and in the lab and investigate everything from the microscopic phytoplankton to the mighty whale. Students will gain valuable hands-on experience in the laboratory, as well as field and research skills.  Some of the activities they will explore include:

  • Cruising the Saco River Estuary on a research vessel
  • Participating in a plankton tow
  • Completing biological surveys at the rocky intertidal
  • Joining a whale watching boat out of Kennebunkport
  • Observing seals and birds native to southern Maine 
  • Collecting and identifying marine & freshwater specimens

"Early College" Program - July 11-23, 2010 (3 college credits)

In this program, students will study one of the following concentration areas:  Applied Math, History, Neuroscience, or Writing.

They will work side-by-side with UNE faculty members, and have the opportunity to meet with UNE Admissions and Financial Aid representatives, who will give valuable insight about the college application and financial process.  Some of the field trips and events planned for the two-week program include:

  • Cruising the Saco River Estuary on a research vessel.
  • Joining a whale watching boat out of Kennebunkport
  • Enjoying a barbeque at beautiful Jordan Point
  • Going to a Portland Seadogs baseball game
  • Visiting the Portland waterfront and the Old Port
  • Joining the Coastal Marine Ecology group for movies and popcorn

Art Goldstein, Ph.D., dean of the UNE College of Arts and Sciences, states, "These programs offer high school students the opportunity to work intensively with our exceptional faculty in a discipline that interests them.  Our hope is that these intensive programs will provide a spark - an academic curiosity and excitement - that will last long after these young people return to their homes. We also believe the program will allow the students to make new friends, enjoy our beautiful coastal campus and get a real taste of college academics."

Students should be entering their Junior or Senior year of high school in fall 2010, and can live on campus or commute from home.  They will have access to the university's outstanding facilities, from UNE's Olympic-size swimming pool, weight room, racquetball and basketball courts, to its sandy beach and kayak launch.

Costs, applications and additional information are available at www.une.edu/oce, or by calling 207-602-2050.  Applications for both programs are due by May 1, 2010.