Southborough – Heather M. Piekarz of Southborough is enrolled in SEA Semester: The Global Ocean, a study abroad program through Sea Education Association in Woods Hole, while away from studies at Hamilton College. Piekarz successfully completed the five-week shore component earning academic credit in oceanography, nautical science and maritime studies. In addition to three core courses, students have the opportunity to choose two to four electives in cultural landscapes and seascapes, data communication and visualization, conservation and management, and an oceanographic research project.
Using the school’s 134-foot sailing vessel, the Robert C. Seamans, as their classroom, students will examine environmental issues facing communities in New Zealand, paying particular attention to the historic and modern development of fisheries, seaports, trade and tourism.
Piekarz will sail on the tall ship from Auckland with possible port stops in Wellington, Dunedin, Lyttelton and returning to Wellington, a journey of around 2,000 nautical miles and five weeks at sea. During that time, in addition to collecting data for research projects, Piekarz will help provide weather observations to a national database, learn to chart the course using celestial navigation, and serve as Junior Watch Officer, taking full command of the vessel during her watch. Piekarz’s shipmates come from colleges and universities around the country.
For more information, visit www.sea.edu. Visitors to the site may track the progress of the vessel, read student experiences on their blog, http://www.sea.edu/sea_currents/all_robert_c_seamans.
