FAQ

The Marine Science Academy is a two part series in Introductory Oceanography made possible through a partnership between NHCS, UNC Wilmington, and Cape Fear Community College. This course sequence will have you mentally prepped for college with lectures, labs, and fieldwork that has been vetted by UNCW. Career opportunities in the field of marine science can also be explored through internship, quarterly events, and study abroad opportunities. Students are also required to participate in a science related club.

The Marine Science Academy is for 11/12th grade students who have applied and been accepted to the capstone program. The Cohort is for rising 9th/10th grade students who are interested in applying to the Marine Science Academy. To get into the cohort you must fill out the same application requirements as students applying for the Academy. As a member of the Marine Science Cohort you will be grouped with other interested students, so that you can receive marine science related content in your science classes as well as participate in science clubs and after school opportunities. Students in the Cohort are in the pathway to the Academy, but participation in the Cohort is not required for acceptance to the Academy. 

The application will be made available after all NHCS Signature Programs have been presented to parents and students at middle school presentations. Please go to NHCS.net for the exact date. Once the application is made live students are to fill out the online application as well as: submit a copy of their transcripts and submit two email addresses for teacher/ counselor recommendation. Students applying for the Academy (11 and 12 grade) will additionally need to write an essay. Students have not completed the application process until all parts are complete. A standardized rubric will be used to assess all students based on the criteria listed above. 

The Marine Science elective offered at Ashley is not a prerequisite for the Marine Science Academy.

• Interest in marine science and STEM career field
• Enjoy being on water and doing hands on activities
• Comfortable trying new things and working with peers
• Can use math to support scientific thinking

• Students must apply annually to state their continued interest in participation
• Must have a passing transcript from the previous semester
• Participation in Science Club and Quarterly Events

• Must join a science related Club
• Complete a Quarterly Event in the community (beach clean up, community event, or field trip)