High School and Pre-College
Spring 2027

SEA Quest Spring Break — From Sea to Poke Bowl: Fishing and Environmental Communication

Online Program

SEA Quest Spring Break — From Sea to Poke Bowl: Fishing and Environmental Communication

SeaQuest is an international university preparatory symposium focused on environmental communication. This spring we’ll have a special one-week version! We bring together high school and secondary school students from all over the world, over Zoom, to discuss and learn about the most pressing ocean issues of our time as we create an issue of our magazine SEA Writer.
This March 2027 we will explore the question: Should I eat a tuna poke bowl?  To answer this collectively, we explore the status of commercial fisheries, the extent of sustainable practices, the ethics of eating fish, and an understanding of deep ocean ecological relationships with plankton, seabirds, and marine mammals. We learn about the issues—the marine science, the policies, the cultural history—and we explore ways to effect change by reaching out to broader audiences, particularly with writing, photography, and illustration.
This is not a Zoom course where you just sit and watch lectures. We keep the group small so we can have breakout rooms, discussions, activities, peer-review, and be able to converse with our experts. You’ll need to keep your camera on for each session and be ready to engage with your classmates and our guest speakers. Our spring schedule is not entirely set, but expect visits from the likes of USCG Captain and Pacific enforcement specialist Christopher Nolan, Senior Editor at Monga Bay Rebecca Kessler, and fisheries ecologist Dr. Ciarra Willis. The course is organized and run by writer-illustrator Richard J. King.
For this special March version of SEA Quest, we will meet Monday-Saturday, 1:00-3:00 pm and 6:00-8:00 p.m. ET with approximately 10 hours of additional project work, including reading and writing before the program starts. No prerequisites required aside from fluency in English, enthusiasm, and a strong internet connection. We have scholarship funding allocated, especially for students from island communities.

This course is built on conversation, so we ask that cameras stay on and everyone takes part. Your questions and ideas are part of what makes it work.

Program Cost: $2,500

Learning Objectives

Students participating in this program can expect the following:

Study Pacific Ocean Research with Leading Experts

Explore current research on coral reefs, ocean acidification, marine protected areas, plastic pollution, deep-sea mining, and marine wildlife conservation. Learn from writer and ocean scholar Dr. Richard King alongside guest experts in marine science and policy. Examine how storytelling, media, and public engagement bridge the gap between scientific research and community action.

Translate Scientific Papers for Public Audiences

Read and interpret peer-reviewed scientific papers on Pacific marine conservation topics. Learn to translate complex findings into clear, compelling narratives for general readers. Interview researchers when possible to understand not just their findings, but how to communicate scientific work effectively.

Create Science Communication Projects

Produce articles, videos, podcasts, or artwork which communicate how the next generation of ocean stewards is bridging the gap between complex marine science and the urgent climate realities facing Pacific Island communities. Dive into SEAWRITER.WhaleHistoryConservation.Issue1.2026 for an example of how last year’s students who studied for three weeks on SEA’s campus in Woods Hole and aboard the SSV Corwith Cramer, sailing around Cape Cod and across the Stellwagen Bank Marine Sanctuary, turned their experience into this final project.

Apply

High School and Pre-College Program

Upcoming Sessions

Winter Break Special Session

Mar 15 - Mar 20 2027

Apply

Cost & payment

Program Cost: $2,500

Upon acceptance to SEA, families have the opportunity to apply for need-based financial assistance. Financial aid decisions are reviewed on a rolling basis after students have been accepted.
For questions, please contact Financial Aid.
Email: financialaid@sea.edu
Phone: (508) 444-1916
Financial Aid & Costs

APPLICATION PROCESS

We accept summer applications beginning in the preceding fall and encourage students to apply early since some programs may fill before the stated deadline.

Students will be required to complete the following in order to be considered by the application deadline:

  • Biographical form
  • High school transcript
  • One academic reference
  • Short answer essay questions
  • Interview (not applicable for SeaQuest or Ocean Studies on Cape Cod applicants) 
Learn more

Health & safety

The safety of all SEA program participants and staff is among our highest priorities. To this end, SEA maintains a philosophy of prevention in managing risk in its activities. 
Learn More

essential Eligibility requirements

All accepted students must meet SEA’s Essential Eligibility Criteria and be cleared to participate by SEA’s medical team.
Learn More