Explore the Ocean Like Never Before: A Week of Underwater Exploration and Adventure!

Middle and High School Students Only (Grades 6-12)

·         Week long: July 14-18 2025;   $375/student for the week

IN PARTNERSHIP with Rye Recreation Department

Group A: 8:30am-12:00pm

Group B: 1:00pm- 4:30pm

·         Maximum 11 students in each group  (minimum 8)

·         Drop-off/pick-up Location: 66 Ceres Street, Portsmouth (Portsmouth Harbor Cruises, near tugboats)

OVERVIEW: Calling all Coastal Explorers! Are you curious about what lies below the surface of the ocean? Join us to explore the coastlines of New Hampshire and Maine and learn to use our Underwater Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROV)—Think underwater drone/camera!--- and engage with marine biologist and ocean engineers out on the water aboard the M/V Utopia, a 38-foot Coast Guard inspected lobster boat. Learn basic seamanship, ocean surveying, and conduct underwater missions exploring marine life and habitat combined with searching for ghost gear and shipwrecks!

Day 1: Dive into Marine Technology at CCOM
 Begin your journey at the Center for Coastal and Ocean Mapping (CCOM) at UNH with an action-packed day of exploration and teamwork. Start with icebreakers and a tour of this leading research facility, then get hands-on with Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs). Test your piloting skills in the high-visibility CCOM tank as you navigate obstacle courses, retrieve items, and record video orbits around fascinating underwater objects. Learn from expert educators about the incredible technology used in real ocean missions and build excitement for the boat days ahead. This immersive experience introduces you to the thrilling world of marine science and engineering.

Days 2-5: Harbor Exploration and Ocean Missions
Set sail for adventure as you plan your mission and learn about marine ecology and geography. Using charts, you’ll decide on exploration sites and become one of the first to discover unseen underwater landscapes. Pilot ROVs in the ocean to observe marine life, study ecosystems, and record your findings. Engage in discussions about the harbor's history, geology, and biodiversity while honing your mission-planning and data-collection skills. This research will help inform local harbor masters in their reporting.

Immerse yourself in environmental and marine science with hands-on missions like surveying eelgrass beds and tackling the issue of ghost fishing gear---and potentially even searching for shipwrecks! Work with experts to study critical marine habitats and even assist in planting eelgrass seeds. Learn about lobsters and ecology through close encounters and ROV exploration.

Wrap up the week with a visit to Wood Island Life Saving Station and a cutting-edge Bluetech demonstration, culminating in a final challenge to showcase your data, findings, and creativity. Whether analyzing ROV footage, presenting research, or exploring shipwrecks, you’ll end the week with unforgettable memories and new skills to inspire your future in marine engineering and ecology related careers.

Fee includes: CoastX T-Shirt and hat, bus transportation to UNH, boat transportation, marine and ocean engineering experts.  Does NOT include Lunch.

Additional Notes: All students required to wear CoastX provided new lifejackets while on docks/boat. Most of the program happens on the 38' boat with a captain and crew.  There will be at least 3-4 additional CoastX program adults working with students as part of the program at all times.