|
Course Information
Teen Basic DolphinLab is a seven-day program that surveys a wide range of knowledge, theories and ongoing research concerning dolphins, the marine environment and related issues. Students meet DRC's resident dolphin population, learning to respect each dolphin as an individual through observation of their unique behavioral and physical characteristics.
The course includes a unique blend of seminars, observation time, and hands-on activities and proves that learning can be fun! Class sizes average twelve to fourteen students to ensure individualized instruction. |
 |
Seminars Include: Acoustics, Conservation, Coral Reef Ecology, Dolphin Intelligence, Dolphin Physiology, Husbandry, Marine
Mammal Law, Marine Mammal Strandings, Maternity, Research at DRC, and Training.
Hands-On Activities Include:
One Dolphin Dip session, two Deep Water Dolphin
Encounter sessions, and a signal session from
the dock.
Additional Activities Include: Field trip, Medical Demonstration, Observation Time, Research Workshop, Signal Workshop, Training Demonstration, and Training Workshop. |
 |
College Credit
Students may elect to receive
college credit for attending Teen Basic DolphinLab. Credit is available through the Florida Keys Community College for an additional fee. In order to receive credit, students must successfully complete all course activities and pass an end of course exam. Interested students will receive complete instructions upon arrival at Dolphin Research Center. For more information, click here.
Cost
The cost of Teen Basic DolphinLab
is $1500.00 (US). Tuition includes all seminars, activities,
meals, lodging, a field trip and a CD of photographs of
your dolphin interactions throughout the week. The cost of Teen Basic DolphinLab also includes transportation to and from the Key West Airport at pre-established times that you will be provided after you are a confirmed student. Teen Basic DolphinLab tuition also includes the cost of our chaperone, a DRC staff member who resides at the dorm and supervises evening activities.
Prerequisites
Although there are no prerequisites for attending Basic DolphinLab, applicants should have a strong desire to experience and learn about dolphins and the marine world. Teen Basic DolphinLab is available to individuals aged 15-17.
Back to Top
|
TEEN INTERMEDIATE DolphinLab : |
Course Information
Teen Intermediate DolphinLab is a seven-day program that includes advanced study of dolphins, and explores other marine mammals including sea lions, manatees, river dolphins and more. The format is similar to Basic DolphinLab, but this course offers more time for students to work together on a group project and pursue their personal interests. Intermediate DolphinLab also allows students opportunities to explore careers in the marine mammal field.
The course includes a unique blend of seminars, observation time, and hands-on activities and proves that learning can be fun! Class sizes average twelve to fourteen students to ensure individualized instruction.
Seminars Include:
Baleen Whales, Manatees, Navy Dolphins, Marine Mammals in the Media, Pinnipeds, River Dolphins, and Whaling.
Hands-On Activities Include: One
Play with the Dolphins session, two Deep Water
Dolphin
Encounter sessions, and a signal session.
Additional Activities Include: Field trip, observation time, career shadowing, informal interviews with training staff, public surveys, and a group project. |
 |
Cost
The cost of Teen Intermediate DolphinLab is $1700.00 (US). Tuition includes all seminars, activities, meals, lodging, a field trip, and a CD of photographs of your dolphin interactions taken throughout the week. The cost of Teen Intermediate DolphinLab also includes transportation to and from the Key West Airport at pre-established times that will be provided to you after you are a confirmed student. Teen Intermediate DolphinLab tuition also includes the cost of our chaperone, a DRC staff member who resides at the dorm and supervises evening activities.
Prerequisites
Students must successfully complete Basic DolphinLab before participating in Teen Intermediate. (During the summer, these labs are offered consecutively. You may enroll to take Basic DolphinLab and Intermediate DolphinLab during the same summer.)
Back to Top
|
TEEN ADVANCED DolphinLab : TRAINING I |
Course Information
After completing Basic and Intermediate DolphinLab, students may apply for our Advanced DolphinLab program. Teen Advanced DolphinLab: Training I is a seven-day program that delves more deeply into the fields of behavioral science and animal training. |
 |
Students will participate in daily sessions down on the docks with the dolphins. During these sessions, students will learn more about dolphin husbandry and training, including how to feed, reinforce, and maintain established behaviors. Public speaking skills will also be developed as students learn how to present dolphins to the public. At the conclusion of the course, students will present dolphins to Dolphin Research Center guests in a formal narrated session.
Students will apply their knowledge of training principles by teaching a new behavior to a canine DolphinLab participant! Each student will develop a training plan for the behavior to be trained, participate daily in regularly scheduled sessions with his/her canine partner, and demonstrate progress to DRC staff at the end of the week.
This course offers students a unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience under the guidance of our accomplished trainers. Class sizes average ten to fourteen students to ensure individualized instruction.
Seminars Include:
Advanced Principles of Training, Daily discussions with trainers about progress made during dolphin sessions, Q&A with a senior member of Animal Care and Training.
Hands-On Activities Include: Two
Deep Water Dolphin
Encounter sessions, daily dock
time (informal observation and interaction on the
training docks), daily sessions with the dolphins,
and daily canine training sessions.
Other Activities Include: Advanced Training Demonstration, Basic Husbandry, Behavior Chain Development Workshop, Bridging and Reinforcement Techniques Workshop, Enrichment Sessions, and a Public Educational Presentation. |
 |
College credit is not available for Advanced DolphinLabs.
Cost
The cost of Teen Advanced DolphinLab: Training I is $1700.00 (US). Tuition includes all seminars, activities, meals, and lodging. Also included in the tuition is a CD of photographs taken of your dolphin interactions throughout the week. The cost of Teen Advanced DolphinLab: Training I also includes transportation to and from the Key West Airport at pre-determined times that will be provided to you after you are a confirmed student. Teen Advanced DolphinLab: Training I tuition also includes the cost of our chaperone, a DRC staff member who resides at the dorm and supervises evening activities.
Prerequisite
Students must successfully complete Basic and Intermediate DolphinLab before participating in Teen Advanced DolphinLab: Training I. (During the summer, these labs are offered consecutively. You may apply to take all three during one summer.)
Back to Top
|
