BSCC's program, presentation a success

Fri, 05/24/2019 - 7:00am

The Boothbay Sea and Science Center, a program that combines experimental marine learning with sailing, finished yet another successful program on May 10. The Exploring the Science of Seaweed Farming program works with students at Midcoast schools, to increase understanding of the ocean and improve knowledge on the seaweed farming industry, which could stimulate economic growth in Maine.

BSCC Executive Director Pauline Dion has headed the program since 2013. She piloted a program that asked, can we grow seaweed in an aquarium? With the help of Maine Community Foundation grants, the program received equipment and other tools to solve that question. Dion looked to expand the program to local schools, as she wanted the BSSC’s equipment to be used during the offseason. Schools in Boothbay, Edgecomb, Southport, Wiscasset and Whitefield participated this year.

For six weeks, students studied the seaweed growth within their classrooms. Students watched the water salinity and pH levels, and analyzed, documented and reported findings over the period. In December, the seedlings were brought to the BSSC for planting. Students harvested the crops in April and found that seaweed could successfully grow in an aquarium.

The final project, students’ presentations, took place May 10 at Bigelow Laboratories. Each school presented its findings and experiences with the program to an audience of over 100.

The student-presenters were, from Boothbay: Brianna Field, Skyla Carrier, Chase Mansfield, Lily Nein, Laura Chapman and Anya Sulyandziga; from Edgecomb: Hannah Abello, Abbie Clark, Anna Gosselin, Paige Botts, Angie Patriotti, Maeve Cullina and Ronan Cullina; from Southport: Sarah Harris, Sage Wickline and Brian Abbe; from Wiscasset: Linnea Andersson, Emily Gilliam, Sullivan Joyce, Sienna Giles, Qiana Hyman and Mason Clark; and from Whitefield: Natalie Henderson, Baruch Wilson, Stephen Jackson, Allana Chase and Nolan Burgess.

Dion noted the exceptional job the student presenters did. “The presentations were a product of hard work and dedication from the students. The students voluntarily gave up free time, stayed after school, (and) were even late to sports practices all to ensure these presentations were spectacular.”

Teachers and students have embraced the program. Dion believes that is because it hones skills in data collection, analysis, observation, writing, and public speaking; and there are few experiential Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) opportunities available. The program gets students excited about STEM careers in this age of technology.

Dion believes such programs are needed in coastal areas, as the marine environment is suffering from issues such as invasive species, pollution, and acidification of the ocean; raising awareness, especially among youth, is critical; and the seaweed farming causes students to analyze and explore the current problems and examine where they live in a way they never have before.