Innovations for the Environment

Innovations for the Environment is an award-winning five-day capstone technology training opportunity for students between the ages of 14 - 17, as a core piece of the Mid-Atlantic Robotics IN Education (MARINE) program. The intense week-long training course focuses on the emerging technology utilized in ocean research. Technology and its ability to collect real-time data about the ocean is critical to the creation and interpretation of environmental models, which are powerful tools for understanding complex environmental problems. Additionally, technology acts as a powerful tool to connect students to fundamental ocean processes. During this program, students will engage with different pieces of technology utilized to study and communicate about the ocean. Students will learn the mobilization process for each piece of technology and understand the types of data they collect and how these data can be interpreted.

Program Requirements and Schedule

Date: July 14 - 18, 2025
Time: 9am - 4:30pm
Tuition fee: Fees are covered by support from community partners and scholars are nominated by a community member, teacher or mentor. The number of placements awarded varies annually.

Nomination Information

The nomination window will open on January 15, 2025, and close on April 15, 2025, with students being notified and the selection process commencing in early May 2025.

The nomination must come from a teacher, mentor or educator outside the formal classroom that can speak to the abilities of the nominees across the following areas:

• Keen interest in robotics
• Interest in pursuing a career in engineering or creative technologies
• Ability to work in a team
• Ability to utilize a critical thinking and problem-solving skill set
• Patience and perseverance in tasks
• Programming skills (e.g. C++, Python)
• Data analytical skills
• Experience being on boats