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ESL Education and Outreach

 Elementary school students conduct an experiment in the wetlands

The Eastern Shore Laboratory (ESL) supports a wide variety of educational activities ranging from single-day field trips to multi-week classes for students from a diversity of institutions. Instructors and students from VIMS, William & Mary, and numerous other colleges and universities in Virginia, other states, and other countries use the field station for classes.

ESL staff also host a variety of public-education activities throughout the year, including an annual Marine Life Day in September.  Additionally, thanks to generous local financial support, ESL is home to a summer paid internship opportunity for local high school and college undergraduate students.

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For K-12 Students
For College Students
For the Public
Elementary school students observe a sea urchin.
Photo by Ariel Skelley.

K-12 Programs

Our educational opportunities span kindergarten through twelfth grade and are tailored to the needs of each group. Programs may focus on building science literacy, meeting Virginia’s Standards of Learning (SOLs) for marine science, or providing homeschool students with hands-on laboratory experiences. Some offerings, such as our homeschool programs and summer camps, are recurring programs designed specifically for these audiences.

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Undergraduate students on a boat
Photo by John Lewis.

Higher Education Groups

College groups can gain research and field experience at VIMS ESL collecting data on local coastal and marine environments and exploring the Eastern Shore of Virginia’s local ecosystems. Groups often stay at the ESL's lodging for days or weeks, depending on the needs of the program.

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Undergrads on a field course
Photo by John Wallace.

Undergraduate Field Course

An undergraduate field course is currently offered through the Batten School of Coastal & Marine Sciences & VIMS focusing on fundamental processes in marine science through the examination of the near shore, barrier island, coastal lagoon, and salt marsh environments along Virginia’s outer coast.

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Student Interns at ESL
Photo by Reba Turner Smith.

Bonnie Sue Internship Program

The Bonnie Sue Internship Program provides hands-on learning and employment opportunities to local students interested in science. Interns to assist with field and laboratory data collection and will have the opportunity to work directly with research scientists on projects such as shellfish aquaculture, water quality, restoration ecology, and marine ecology.

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Public citizens at ESL
Photo by Ariel Skelley.

For the Public

VIMS ESL offers free public programs, including Seminars by the Sea, tours of our facilities, and our popular open house day, Marine Life Day.  Events take place on our campus in Wachapreague and at venues throughout the Eastern Shore of Virginia.

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ESL Upcoming Events

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