Acadia Institute of Oceanography Recently Updated

Acadia Institute of Oceanography's summer marine programs allow students from around the globe to get their feet wet in the world of oceanography! Students live and study and explore on Mount Desert Island in Maine, home to Acadia National Park. Working with highly qualified faculty members, students get to learn all about physical, chemical, geological, and biological oceanography!

Every summer, more than 200 young people attend AIO from all over the United States and around the world. AIO students get a chance to explore the world of marine science by engaging in hands-on activities in and around Acadia National Park. Our youngest students (for current 4th–5th graders) spend one week getting their feet wet with introductory lessons in ocean science and plenty of recreation on Mount Desert Island. Our Intermediate Session students (currently in 6th–9th grade) spend two weeks diving deeper into the world of marine science with in-depth lessons and field trips, and our Advanced Session students (currently in grades 10–12) get to experience a pre-college oceanography course full of exciting lab and field work along with explorations to nearby sites!

Example of a Typical Day at the Acadia Institute of Oceanography

• 9:00 - 1:00: Boat Trip for Oceanographic Survey
• 2:00 - 5:00: Beach Profile and Sediment Sorting
• 5:15 - 5:45: Seminar on the Planktonic World
• 7:00 - 9:00: Rec Time/Lecture: Ocean Evolution

AIO's overnight summer programs are housed in the vintage 1931 Dunham Schoolhouse. A classic American red brick schoolhouse, the building has been carefully restored and updated to offer clean and comfortable accommodations. Three of the large classrooms have been converted into open dormitories and students sleep on bunk beds. The schoolhouse also includes a lecture hall, recreation room, a research wet laboratory, library, nurse's office, dining hall, bathrooms, and showers. The academic schedule of the overnight summer programs with AIO is designed to allow for time each day for recreational activities such as hiking in Acadia National Park, swimming, group games, and visits to local sites. And there is plenty of free time to read, write letters, socialize and relax.

Our Introductory Session is curated for students currently in 4th and 5th grades. This one-week program allows curious students to explore their initial interest in the sciences. Students will get introductory seminars on big topics in marine science while getting to explore coastal areas and recreate in Acadia. 

The Intermediate Sessions are designed for students currently in middle school (6th–8th grade) and are two weeks long. This program dives deeper into all topics in oceanography. Students will learn the basics of marine geology, physics, chemistry, and biology during their stay. Field trips will bolster lessons learned in the classroom and, of course, students will have lots of time to have fun and recreate on MDI. 

Our Advanced Sessions, which are two-weeks long, are designed as pre-college programs in oceanography. Students currently in high school are able to apply, and rising juniors and seniors can apply to be in the college credit portion of these sessions. The non-credit and credit versions of the Advanced Session run concurrently and all students do a deep dive into marine science. Students engage in field and lab work, boat trips, and lectures to further their knowledge of oceanography while still getting time to recreate around Acadia National Park. Students who successfully complete the college-credit program receive four credits through the University of Maine. Extra fees apply to the college credit program.