Established 5 years ago with a pilot research program in Little Harbor and a Maritime Studies course, the Summer Institute has grown into 6 courses involving dozens of students and 10 teachers. Summer Institute courses are built upon the premise that students learn best when actively engaged in learning activities. The courses are designed to expose students to a variety of topics through outdoor experiences that maximize use of New England's unique environment and history.

   Students enrolled in Summer Institute courses receive credit equal to course credit earned during the traditional school year and are, therefore, expected to successfully complete comparable academic work.

Gulf River and Cohasset Harbor Field Study and Research Project
Grades: 10-12 (for students entering grades 10, 11 or 12) 1.25 credits
Days and Times: Days and Times: M- W- F from 2:30 – 5:30pm*
*As students get more proficient, work gets done more efficiently, and 3 hours of work will condense to 2, or 2.5 hours of time.
Instructor: Dr. Thomae

Description:
This project focuses on collecting water quality data in two of our watershed’s important bodies of water- the Gulf River and Cohasset Harbor. The Gulf River study is geared to assist the Gulf Association assess the health of its river; it is funded through the award of an Environmental Education grant from the EPA and with support of the Gulf Association and the Center for Student Coastal Research. The Gulf River team will also continue Harbor analysis, compiling data for the third consecutive summer.

This study began back in the summer of 2001 when MIT’s Sea Grant College Program awarded Cohasset High School Summer Institute teachers with a $10,000.00 grant to assist the Cohasset Board of Health in assessing the impact of wastewater treatment plant effluent on the health of Cohasset Harbor.

Student teams will be lead by Dr. Thomae. The teacher and participants will decide upon specific meeting days and times. Students must complete a total of 54 hours in this project in order to be eligible for course credit. (Further details of credit requirements will be distributed at the first team meeting.)

Enrollment: limited to maximum of 16 students.
Students successfully completing this research project will receive a modest stipend ($) for their work. (Stipends and course credit will be awarded by September 30, 2004.)

Funding for this research project requires that students keep meticulous notes, precisely follow all study rules and procedures, submit evidence of background research readings, attend at least one community meeting, and participate significantly in the completion of a written report.

All students enrolled in this course will be enrolled for credit and will earn a grade commensurate with their effort, performance, and completion of requirements. Clearly defined rubrics for grading will be provided to students.

Grades: 10 -12 (for students entering grades 10, 11 or 12) 1.25 credits
Days and Times: M- W- F from 2:30 – 5:30pm*
*As students get more proficient, work gets done more efficiently, and 3 hours of work will condense to 2, or 2.5 hours of time.
Instructor: Mr. Buckley
Description
There are several water bodies in Cohasset that seem to be attributable to leaking septic systems. Bacteriological Field Studies represents an opportunity to investigate any number of these water bodies.

New technology in monitoring enterococci bacteria will be available this summer at CSCR, thanks to a grant from the Lighthouse Keepers Corporation. In addition to monitoring for enterococci, students will continue to assess fecal coliform levels in various bodies of water, as this remains the standard measure for recreational waters in the state of Massachusetts.

Students involved in these projects are expected to meet regularly with interested community groups such as the Board of Health, the Sewer and Water Commissioners, the Gulf Association, and the Lighthouse Keepers Corporation.

Student teams will be lead by college interns working under the supervision of Mr. Buckley, with Ms. McGrail playing an advisory role, as she enjoys a sabbatical form the Institute this summer.

The teacher, interns, and participants will decide upon specific meeting days and times. Students must complete a total of 54 hours in this project in order to be eligible for course credit. (Further details of credit requirements will be distributed at the first team meeting.)

Enrollment is limited to a maximum of 16 students. Students successfully completing this research project will receive a modest stipend ($) for their work. (Stipends and course credit will be awarded by September 30, 2004.)

Funding for this research project requires that students keep meticulous notes, precisely follow all study rules and procedures, submit evidence of background research readings, attend at least one community meeting, and participate significantly in the completion of a written report.

All students enrolled in this course will be enrolled for credit and will earn a grade commensurate with their effort, performance, and completion of requirements. Clearly defined rubrics for grading will be provided to students

Workshops:

Workshops are open to students and to adults in the community. Workshop dates and times are still under development as of this publication. Specific dates and times will be announced in a timely fashion on the ccscr.org website.

Computer Mapping Training Program:
Putting Cohasset on the Map: A Training and Mentoring Project to Teach Students Geographic Information Services (GIS) Technologies Students will be trained by GIS specialists to become proficient in the application of GIS programs such that the students will be able to assisting the town with its GIS needs, such as mapping precise locations of storm drains.

Green Landscaping and Sustainable buildings: This workshop will use 40 Parker Ave, the venerable "Hagerty Building" as a case study for landscaping property in an organic, sustainable manner. The building will also be a focus of study for energy, efficiency, sustainability, and green management / conversion. Participants will work on one specific, hands-on project with the instructor as well as walk away with plenty of resource materials for immediate use in their own lives.

Webmaster Workshop: This workshop will train students, grades 7-12, to maintain the website developed by the Center for Student Coastal Research. Students attending this workshop will be given the opportunity to work as the Center’s webmasters, thereby building valuable skills and expertise to add to their resumes.

All course work must be completed by the end of September, 2004, if students desire course credit.

For the past six seasons, Summer Institute students have been able to earn modest stipends ($) for their participation community research projects. We are pleased to announce that some funding has already been secured to allow us to continue this practice. At this time, we are able to offer stipends to experienced Summer Institute students who have proven themselves to be leaders in our research projects. We hope to offer additional students modest stipends. We have not yet secured funding to do so, but do anticipate additional funding through grant applications still pending at this writing. (March 2004) Experienced Summer Institute students wishing to earn leadership research stipends ($) must interview with Summer Institute science teachers. See Mr. Magnussen, Ms. McGrail, Doc T, or Mr. Buckley for additional details.

Kickoff Date: Thursday, June 3
6:30- 7:30pm
Please contact any CMHS science instructor for more details, or call the Center for Student Coastal Research at 781 383 0129.

How to enroll in a Summer Institute course:

• Cohasset Middle High School students:
  complete the application form and give it directly to the teacher offering the course.
  
  
• All other students:
  print out and complete the application form and mail with appropriate payment (made payable to CSCR) to the following address:
  
  Attention: Summer Institute
  CSCR
  40 Parker Avenue
  Cohasset, Ma. 02025