Marine Science Camp

If you are considering furthering your education in marine biology or marine science, this could be the perfect course for you to enrich your field experience and explore some of the possible career pathways.

Please take a look at the example timetables on this page as the course content will differ slightly depending on location.

Our residentials also give you the chance to develop a range of transferable skills. These types of skills help across many areas of life and are particularly good for including in job or education applications.

Here are some of the transferable skills that are likely to be covered in this residential:

• Communicating with others
• Working as a team
• Managing your time
• Reliability
• Keeping focused

We want to ensure participants get to share in their experience with those of a similar age. Please consider what age the attendee will be on the course date and check they fit into the age category when booking.

When you book, it is essential that you enter the age and attendees name in the Order Notes at the checkout.  If the attendee is under 18, the booking must be made by a parent/guardian.

When attending the residential dates which welcome 16-18 year olds, all participants will be expected to follow the behaviour and conduct rules which will be in place to safeguard young people.

See our Residential FAQs page if you’d like to know the answers to our most frequently asked questions.

If these course dates do not suit you, we run similar courses at many of our other centres.

Field Studies Council has partnered with The Marine Biological Association (MBA) to offer participants attending our marine science camp at Slapton Ley or Dale Fort a free years membership to the MBA.*

The MBA is one of the world’s longest-running societies dedicated to promoting research into our oceans and the life they support.  The MBA is the voice of Marine Biology and supports Marine Biologists throughout their journey, from those just starting out, to professionals and those who are leading the way forward in this dynamic field.

* All members will gain access to The Marine Biologist Magazine, have the opportunity to attend events and talks both in person and online, discounts and much more. Excludes residentials taking place at Millport Field Centre. For full details visit Our Membership | Marine Biological Association. 

The category of membership will be determined by individual circumstances, existing members will get a year added to their subscription.

Example Timetable

Our Marine Science Camps take place at Dale Fort, Slapton Ley and Millport Field Centres. They vary from 5 to 6 day courses. Wildlife availability, weather, location and season can affect activities which is why these are example timetables.

Dale Fort

Day 1

Arrival by 17.30

Register and introduction to camp.
An opportunity to meet fellow participants and go through plans and objectives for the course. A short introduction to the local marine environment.

Day 2
Atlantic Grey Seals and Cetaceans - Today explore some amazing coastal sites in search of Atlantic Grey Seals and Cetaceans. Learn about the biology and ecology of these different animal groups and learn cetacean identification surveying skills.

Day 3
Plankton Sampling and Seine Netting - Plankton sampling and a microscope workshop in the lab to identify the plankton samples and learn about plankton ecology. The afternoon will be spent exploring a saltmarsh and having a go at Seine Netting, followed by a discussion on sustainable fishing.

Day 4
Rocky Shores, Beach Clean and Microplastics - A day spent studying a rocky shore ecosystem. Complete a Bioblitz and gain skills in species identification and classification. Use these skills to complete a research survey on the shore, followed by analysis and discussion of the data. During the day there will be a scheduled beach clean and collection of sediment from the strandline, using a simple experiment you will be able to identify microplastics in your sediment sample.

Day 5
Rocky Shores and Group Projects - The day will focus on the value of research and how to plan carry out practical investigations. In small groups plan and complete your own short research project on a rocky shore ecosystem. You will gain skills in project planning, reviewing scientific literature, data collection, analysis and evaluation.

Day 6
Group Presentations and Course Review - Give a short group presentation on your research project. Followed by a review of the course and a discussion on future opportunities in marine science. Depart 1500

Slapton Ley

Day 1

Arrive at 1200

Lunch, register and introduction to the centre. An opportunity to meet fellow participants and go through plans and objectives for the course. An introduction to our National Nature Reserve and the Marine Biological Association.

Day 2

Rocky Shore Ecology - A visit to a local rocky shore to survey the wide variety of marine life found in this amazing habitat. Focus on taxonomy, fieldwork, and GIS techniques.

Days 3 and 4

Plymouth - Across two days, students will experience higher education and industry-level marine science with a trip on the Marine Biological Association’s research boat, Sepia, a visit to Plymouth University, and a behind-the-scenes tour of the UK’s largest National Marine Aquarium. There will also be an opportunity for students to take part in vital citizen science schemes for marine conservation.

Day 5

Coastal walk - On the course’s final day, students will investigate Start Bay coastal system on a walk from Start Point Lighthouse. Participants will learn about oceanographic processes, local geology and coastal defences schemes in the bay to consider the importance of marine science for coastal protection.

Course ends at 3.30pm. Transport to Totnes train station is available upon request.

Millport

Day 1

Arrive 12pm - Welcome to the centre and Introduction and Icebreaker challenge, rafting.
After a welcome and tour of the centre, we will take part in some icebreaker activities before embarking to our local sandy shore to get on the water, working in teams to build improvised rafts and then race across the bay!

Evening: Marine Species ID skills workshop
An introduction to the main marine phyla, and a workshops on identifying commonly found rocky shore animals and seaweeds, as well as an overview of the scientific importance of the rocky shore.

Day 2

Rocky Shore Ecology
In the morning we will be learning about adaptations to life between the tides and begin to hone our taxonomic and identification skills. These will be used during a practical session on the rocky shore.

Behavioural Ecology
Using sample organisms collected from the rocky shore, we will spend the afternoon in the laboratory studying the behavioural and physiological adaptations to survival on the shore.

Evening: Marine megafauna: Identifying mammals and seabirds

After dinner we will consider the larger inhabitants of the Clyde, especially the mammals and seabirds. After a short introduction to identifying animals at sea, we will embark on a walk from the centre to try and spot some charismatic megafauna.

Day 3

Sandy Shores
Heading to the western side of the island, we will explore a sandy bay, and discover the organisms which live in this habitat. We will compare the biodiversity of sandy shores to the rocky shore we explored in the morning.

Boat trip and marine sampling techniques
To round off the week, participants will enjoy a cruise around the local islands looking for marine mammals and seabirds. We will also conduct a benthic trawl to sample the animals that live on the seabed, and observe other boat-based sampling techniques.

Fish anatomy and dissection and parasites investigation
A dissection of mackerel to learn about fish anatomy and to look for a common marine parasite; the nematode worm! Specimens will be examined under microscopes.

Evening: The miniature marine environment
Participants will learn how to collect marine plankton samples and practice microscopy skills identifying the different species and begin to appreciate the effect that tiny things have on our oceans.

Day 4

1/2 group snorkelling session at Kames Bay
We will enter the underwater world through a guided snorkelling session, observing the creatures beneath the waves.

1/2 group marine biology mini projects
In small groups, participants will investigate a topic that is of interest to them. They will spend the afternoon designing and carrying out their investigations.

In the afternoon groups will alternate.

Evening: Campfire
Sitting around a roaring campfire, we will exchange memories of the week, toasting marshmallows and making s’mores, and if there is time take part in a quiz!

Day 5

Citizen science: Big seaweed search and big microplastic survey
Participants will become citizen scientists for the morning, collecting valuable data on seaweed biodiversity and microplastics at our local beaches, before submitting their data to global and national databases. 

Marine biology mini projects
Participants will finish off their projects, displaying their findings on scientific posters. They will present these posters to the group to share their findings.

Depart 3pm

Please note: to ensure safe and quality learning experiences for participants, the timetable may alter depending on weather conditions and local factors at centres.

• 
  Expert Tuition
• 
  Free Wi-Fi
• 
  Full Board Accommodation
• 
  Hot and Cold Drinks
• 
  In Course Transport
• 
  Lunch

• Expert guidance by fully trained Field Studies Council staff
• Rigorous health and safety procedures including 24-hour emergency cover
• Full board accommodation including a cooked breakfast, lunch,  and an evening meal
• All activities and transport during the course
• Young Marine Biologist (YMB) or student membership of the Marine Biological Association for one year

A full kit list will be sent to you prior to the course.

This residential is only open to young people who will be aged 16 - 18 years old at the time of attending. 

Please consider what age the attendee will be on the course date you choose and check they fit in the age category for that date when booking. (Please see each individual course at the bottom of this page for age ranges)

When you book, it is essential that you enter the age and attendees name in the Order Notes at the checkout. If the attendee is under 18, the booking must be made by a parent/guardian.

When attending the residential dates which welcome 16-18 year olds, all participants will be expected to follow the behaviour and conduct rules which will be in place to safeguard young people.