Many thanks to Jack Culter, Cornell '74 and SML' 73 for this reflection from his summer trip to Shoals Marine Laboratory: "We are a diverse group of folks that assemble on board the R/V Heiser in the late afternoon sunshine. Some among us are faculty returning to teach yet another class, others are staff that have returned from a day off or perhaps an afternoon collecting an eclectic list of 'things' to keep the island running.

The weather is warm and clear as we depart Portsmouth, cruise down the Piscataqua River and out into the Gulf of Maine. I reflect back to the time I first made this trip aboard the R/V Wrack with 39 other students and a mountain of luggage. The weather was not as clear and views of the mainland from Appledore were few during the first two weeks of our month-long stay on the island. In those pre-internet, pre-cell phone, pre-computer days, we were truly cut-off from the rest of the world. Few of us knew any of the other students in the class so the isolation brought us closer together. Many of us were assigned to what is now known as Founders Hall with the remainder of us relegated to a large tent erected near the Grass Lab. There were no windows in Founders- only screens. If it rained, one simply moved his/her bed away from the window!

 

Since that fateful day in August of 1973, I have made numerous trips back to SML. On each visit there are new improvements to marvel at including composting toilets, showers in numerous locations, greatly expanded lab facilities and an ever-expanding array of solar cells. Through all these changes, the lab maintains it primary focus on providing undergraduate students with an immersive educational experience in the marine sciences. The number of courses has grown from the single "Introduction to Field Marine Science" in 1973 to 15 courses offered in the summer of 2015. While the students, seem to get younger each time I re-visit the Lab, the one constant is their interest in better understanding our marine environment. Now over 40 years since 39 others and myself were part of a grand "experiment", the Shoals Marine Lab continues to evolve and thrive. While their specific interest of study may change from year to year, the ability for students to become fully immersed in this unique marine environment remains unchanged. For many former students, their time on Appledore will be a major highlight of their undergraduate experience."

SML Summer Research Continues Off Island!

Many thanks to Luke Violette (SML '15, UNH '18) for this contribution to our newsletter: "During the summer of 2015, Jacob Moore (SML '15, UNH '18) and I took Coastal Habitat Field Research Methods at the Shoals Marine Lab, taught by Dr. Gregg Moore (UNH & SML Faculty). This class revolved around a study of the Appledore Island terrestrial plant communities, with the goal of gaining a better overall understanding of the island's plant systems and their diversity. We conducted hands-on field work such as laying transects, identifying botanical percent coverages in quadrats, and using GPS units to collect and organize our data. The little time we spent indoors at Shoals was devoted to data analysis. When our on-island time ended we had collected data from more than 50 transects! Upon returning to UNH in the fall, Dr. Moore, Jacob, and I discussed how we could continue our work on the project. We had ample data, and our task now was to analyze that data and to begin work on a manuscript for the project. Thanks to Dr. Moore we are now part of a Special Topics course devoted to continuing work on the project!

 

By combining the SML course with the campus course Jacob and I were able to delve into real-life research in a manner that could not be achieved by simply sitting in a lecture hall. We were given the opportunity to experience both the field aspects of a scientific study and the complete writing process for a true scientific paper. Connecting our work at SML with a course on campus at UNH gave us a well-rounded experience of the entire scientific process. "

A Bartels Scholar Reflects on SML!

Save the Date SML Reunion!

Next summer is a big milestone for Shoals Marine Laboratory - we will be celebrating 50 years! SML Students, Faculty, Staff, Supporters of today and yesterday SAVE the DATE for the 50th Reunion: August 19-21, 2016. We are planning to have an SML auction, fun events for all ages (bring the kids!), lobster dinner! and much more.