School committee approves free three-day marine biology lab trip for Wareham juniors and seniors

The Wareham School Committee on Jan. 16 approved a field trip for Wareham High School students to participate in a three-day Marine Biological Laboratory (MBL) High School Discovery Program in Woods Hole.

MBL staff and a high-school presenter described the program as a hands-on laboratory course that runs Wednesday morning through Friday afternoon; the offering for Wareham is funded for this year so students will attend at no cost. Presenters said MBL asked that participants be juniors or seniors and that cohorts be limited to 10–16 students. The class planned for Wareham is titled "Visualizing the bacterial communities of the oral microbiome," and will include sample collection, culture work and microscopy.

The presenting teacher said 16 Wareham students had expressed interest and several alternates were identified. Committee members asked logistical questions about sleeping arrangements, supervision and safety; presenters said MBL dorms on Eel Pond have 24-hour security and a passkey system, that visiting scientists may be onsite, and that other high schools sometimes attend simultaneous programs but Wareham students would be in a dedicated class for this curriculum.

Committee members also asked whether the opportunity is open to students from other districts; presenters replied the program is generally for school cohorts and historically had been cost-prohibitive for individual students before the current funding allowed Wareham to participate at no charge.

After questioning, a member moved to approve the field trip. The motion was seconded and approved by voice vote.