SoundWaters Research Intensive

Exploring our Million Acre Classroom

SoundWaters Research Intensive (SRI) is an exciting opportunity for high school students to learn and build real science research experiences and skills. SRI builds critical college and career skills in students through real-life field study and progressively more advanced work in the laboratory, on the water and along the shore.

Where: SRI is based at the Cohen SoundWaters Harbor Center on Stamford Harbor.

Who: SRI students are a diverse, motivated and intellectually curious group seeking opportunities to grow. We know from experience there are high school students who have a passion for science and ecology but lack opportunities and/or resources to engage in an advanced science research experience.

When: Separate SRI programs are offered after school during the fall and spring semesters and all day during the summer in three distinct two-week sessions.

Program Activities

Using sophisticated equipment on our research vessel and in the lab, students will design and conduct original marine science research in:

Water quality
Animal populations and diversity
Human impact

All students will gain insights into factors contributing to climate change as well as the impact on their local environment. They will have access to their own professional-grade research materials, equipment and space in the Harbor Center lab. They will learn to evaluate and map sites, identify water quality parameters to provide meaningful data and to set up animal population studies to test their hypotheses about varying growth rates and conditions.

Summer Sessions

Applications are being accepted for all 2023 summer sessions.

A Two-Week Immersive Marine Science Study on Long Island Sound

During the summer, SoundWaters Research Intensive (SRI) engages high school students in a two-week immersive experience focusing on high-level marine science. This intensive summer program is ideal for high school students who have a desire to pursue their passion for science, conduct field studies, and be part of longitudinal studies on Long Island Sound.

SRI takes place at the Cohen SoundWaters Harbor Center on Stamford Harbor, on board the SoundWaters Research Vessel, and aboard the 80′ Schooner SoundWaters. Students present their research projects to a live audience at the end of each session.

Students are selected based on their science ability, their interest in exploring a college major and/or professional career in science, and their commitment to the environment. A personal interview is part of the application process.

Summer SRI is designed for students entering 10th grade – 1st Year of College

2023 Summer Program Dates

Session 0: June 19 – June 30

Session 1: July 10 – July 21

Session 2: July 24 – August 4

Session 3: August 7 – August 18

Program Hours: Monday – Friday, 9:00am – 3:00pm

Program Fee: $1,000

Scholarships are available. Scholarship funding is made possible through generous funding from the Munzer Foundation and 11th Hour Racing.

For more information please contact tabbott@soundwaters.org.

SRI Application Form

Scholarship Application

Fall Semester

The 2022 Fall Semester Has Concluded

To be notified when applications will open for the fall 2023 semester, email tabbott@soundwaters.org.

Fall Semester Program Dates 2023:
September – December (exact dates TBD)

Twelve students are divided into two equal groups, each meeting twice per week, one day on the research vessel and one day in the lab.

Group #1: Mondays & Wednesdays, 3:30-5:00pm
Group #2: Tuesdays & Thursdays, 3:30-5:00pm

Each student presents their research project to a live audience at the conclusion of the semester.

For more information, email Tim Abbott, at tabbott@soundwaters.org.

SoundWaters Research Intensive is made available to students at no cost during the school year through generous funding from the Munzer Foundation and 11th Hour Racing.

Spring Semester

Applications are closed for the spring 2023 semester.

To be notified when applications open for the spring 2024 semester, email tabbott@soundwaters.org.

Spring Semester Program Dates 2023:
January 23 – April 24, Location: Cohen SoundWaters Harbor Center, Boccuzzi Park

Twelve students are divided into two equal groups, each meeting twice per week, one day on the research vessel and one day in the lab.

Group #1: Mondays & Wednesdays, 3:30-5:00pm
Group #2: Tuesdays & Thursdays, 3:30-5:00pm

Each student presents their research project to a live audience at the conclusion of the semester.

For more information, email Tim Abbott, at tabbott@soundwaters.org.

SoundWaters Research Intensive is made available to students at no cost during the school year through generous funding from the Munzer Foundation and 11th Hour Racing.