Students need experiences that extend the classroom into the environment so that they can see how their scientific training can benefit their community. Further, schools need to enhance programs that attract women and minorities to science majors. Finally, coastal communities need the information that marine science programs can provide about important environmental issues. With this equipment, the academy is establishing "A Center for Marine and Freshwater Analysis" to provide a necessary educational component to a new major entitled Marine Safety and Environmental Protection. The center consists of a portable laboratory containing analytical instrumentation. Faculty and students manage the center and use equipment both in the laboratory and at sea to test marine and fresh waters for substances of environmental concern. The Center (1) provides students with hands-on experience in testing waters; (2) enhances the academy's newest and most successful major in attracting underrepresented students toward careers in science; (3) forms important linkages between the academy and local environmental agencies such as The Coalition for Buzzards Bay.
