Education
The Mount Desert Island Biological Laboratory offers educational programs for students at nearly all levels of education and expertise.
Our programs emphasize that science is a response to humanity’s profound curiosity and fascination with the biological world. How does a skate regenerate its fin? How does an environmental toxin cause disease in zebrafish? What genes underlie larval change in the sea urchin? To answer these questions, scientists conduct research – they form hypotheses and test their ideas with experiments.
MDIBL students learn in real laboratories, where interaction, experimentation, success, and even failure define the research experience. Course participants start with a research question and hypothesis, design and conduct experiments to test their ideas, analyze and discuss the results, and then repeat this cycle of research as secrets are revealed and lead to new questions.
Courses and Conferences
MDIBL has a diverse catalog of year-round, hands-on, research intensive, short courses, workshops and symposia.
Undergraduate Students
Undergraduate students are invited to apply for a summer research fellowship to work in the laboratory of an MDIBL scientist. Undergraduates attending college in Maine should also review the list of courses and conferences to see if their school holds a research short course here during the academic year.
High School Students
High school students are invited to apply for a summer research fellowship to work in the laboratory of an MDIBL scientist. All Maine high school students in grades 10, 11, and 12 are invited to seek nomination to our program. Support for students outside the state of Maine may be available on a limited basis.
Graduate Students
A limited number of summer research fellowships are available for students pursuing graduate or doctoral studies. In addition to other requirements, graduate students must be recommended by an MDIBL investigator.
K-12 Activities and Resources
MDIBL works with Maine elementary and high schools to extend our scientific program into the classroom. The Community Environmental Health Laboratory is a primary provider and resource for classroom based K12 opportunities. Teachers interested in classroom visits to MDIBL or outreach activities to their classroom should contact the MDIBL Education Office. Online K12 activities are also available.
