The Williams School, New London, CT

The Williams School is a co-educational, college preparatory, day school for students in grades 7-12.

Founded in 1891 in New London, Connecticut, The Williams School encourages learning and self-discovery in a collegial atmosphere that provides academic challenges and personal rewards. Williams engenders respectful and collaborative relationships throughout all facets of the community.

The Williams School is located adjacent to Connecticut College and offers students a variety of academic programs. DCP launched our first high school education program to students at The Williams School during the spring 2010 academic semester. It was a resounding success with 10 students participating.

The high school program can be established at almost any high school. Contact DCP for more information on establishing this type of program at your school, with DCP. See the Contact Page for details about contacting DCP.

The High School Program

This unique DCP high school educational program allows students to experience marine research at its finest. Throughout the program, students will review current scientific literature, lead a presentation on DCP research projects, have the opportunity to participate in a pool session using one of the DCP arrays, and become a trained DCP volunteer. Additionally, all high school program participants will be asked to attend one middle school DRT program per month to assist with video identifications; the high school students learn not only to conduct and confirm dolphin identifications from video, but to teach younger students the same skill. For high school student participants who would like to join a DRT trip to a DCP research site, a mini-thesis project will be created for testing while on the trip. By the conclusion of this program, students will understand how scientific research is completed and will have developed the skills needed to assist with data processing.

The DCP high school program is offered during either the spring or fall academic session and runs for 16 weeks, with each class held as three-hour, bi-weekly classes, which allows for and fosters independent study between classes. Each class will be divided into 2 sections by a short break.

Students will develop the skills to continue volunteering with DCP as a community service activity, which gives them the opportunity to expand their resumes as they prepare for the college admission process. Students will be given a thorough introduction to the exciting path of scientific study and the learning process.