Marine Chemistry students do more than just science

The Lion Staff|October 13, 2018

Early on a weekend morning, these sophomores look eager to start their day of physical and emotional challenges through Camp Gallagher’s ropes course. Photo by Jeanne Hanigan

Led by teacher Dave DeGroot, along with other instructors, including Emily Andresen, PhD, and Charlie Rousseau, Marine Chemistry continues to be a significant academic program at Bellarmine.

While the seniors are putting the final touches on their research projects and the juniors are starting to write

Early on a weekend morning, these sophomores and their teacher look eager to start their day of physical and emotional challenges through Camp Gallagher’s ropes course. Photo by Jeanne Hanigan

theirs, the freshmen/women and sophomores are still learning about the MC program itself.

From lab work, statistics classes, diving experiences and even Christmas tree sales, it may sound like a grind. However, DeGroot and his team find ways to make it fun and memorable for the MC students. For example, ninth graders spend a spring weekend in Port Townsend, WA, and by the end of their 11th grade year, they will head to  Hawaii for a week of work and play.

There is still bonding time in between. For example, on Saturday, Oct. 13, the sophomores headed to Camp Gallagher to participate in a Ropes Challenge course with their Class of 2021 cohorts.

It’s no wonder that graduates look back at the four years they spent in a rigorous, sometimes grueling program like Marine Chemistry and admit they would do it again if they had the opportunity.