Marine Academy of Technology and Environmental Sciences

The Marine Academy of Technology and Environmental Science, or MATES for short, is a specialized, public high school program which concentrates heavily on the fields of science and mathematics [http://www.ocvts.org/htm/programs/academies/marine_environmental_science_academy.htm] . It is currently located in Manahawkin, New Jersey and has over 150 students attending. Although teachers and administrators continuously and heavily stress science and math, the academy more-than-successfully meets the standards of the New Jersey Department of Education for its non-science and non-math courses.

Student Activities

The MATES academy offers a variety of enjoyable clubs and activities. In recent years, students have organized the MATES Student Governing Body, an organization which organizes school dances and spirit weeks to make the high school experience more enjoyable. Students are given the opportunity of organize and publish the annual MATES yearbook (Yearbook Club). Scuba diving activities and optional marine-science-based guest lectures are offered by the Marine Science Club.

The academy has been actively involved in several competitions and consortia: [http://nj.nacdnet.org/envirothon/index.html NJ Envirothon] , [http://marine.rutgers.edu/outreach/shorebowl/index.htm Shore Bowl] , [http://www.marinetech.org/rov_competition/ MATE ROV Competition] , [http://web.njit.edu/chemistryolympics/ NJ Chemistry Olympics] , [http://www.ncsssmst.org/ NCSSSMST]

Course Design and Offerings

The marine academy relies heavily on block scheduling; each year is broken up into two semesters and each semester consists of four 80-minute, 5-credit classes [http://www.ocvts.org/tour_mates/index.htm] . This design is implemented to help MATES students prepare for their upcoming postsecondary education experience. Every class offered is an honors course because the high school is designed to test and challenge the brightest students. Course offerings are listed below:

Freshman Year: Algebra I, Geometry/Trigonometry, Marine Biology I, Biology I, Technology for the Sciences (a computer-based course), English I, World Cultures, Physical/Health Education [http://www.ocvts.org/tour_mates/index.htm]

Sophomore Year: Algebra II, EFA (Elementary Function Analysis)/Trigonometry, General Chemistry I, General Chemistry II/Marine Chemistry, Spanish I and II OR Spanish II and III (dependent on placement test score), English II, Physical/Health Education [http://www.ocvts.org/tour_mates/index.htm]

Junior Year: Pre-Calculus I and Pre-Calculus II OR Pre-calculus II and Calculus I (dependent on placement test score), Aquatic Ecology, General Physics, Spanish III OR IV, English III, American History I, Physical/Health Education [http://www.ocvts.org/tour_mates/index.htm]

Senior Year: Calculus or Calculus II, Oceanography, Environmental Science, Senior Research, English IV or College English 151, American History II, Environmental Issues, Elective, Health Education [http://www.ocvts.org/tour_mates/index.htm]

External links

*http://www.ocvts.org/htm/programs/academies/marine_environmental_science_academy.htm
*http://www.ocvts.org/tour_mates/index.htm