Highline Community College’s Marine Science & Technology (MaST) Center is giving future marine scientists a chance to get their feet wet at the annual Summer on the Sound Marine Science Camp.

Campers spend a week during the summer on Redondo Beach learning through hands-on activities about ecology, geology, oceanography, marine biology and water quality.

“It is through these weeklong learning adventures that campers will have the opportunity to learn more about their local environment, as well as how to better protect the resources in it for generations to come,” said Chris Gan, Highline Biology instructor and camp coordinator.

“We are extremely fortunate this year to have such generous sponsorship to be able to offer not just one, but two weeks of camp for the kids in our community,” she said.

The two camp sessions are 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. July 20-24 for ages 7-10 and 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Aug. 17-21 for ages 11-13.

The camp is free for students. Sessions are limited to 25 students who are selected on the basis of their application materials, which include a one-page letter from the student and a letter of recommendation from a science teacher.

Last year’s campers studied beach biodiversity, quantified sediments that make up the composition of the beach and looked for plankton. Students also created individual Webpages with blogs and photos to record their experiences.

Applications are due by 5 p.m. May 29. For an application form, visit http://flightline.highline.edu/mast/summercamp.htm.

For more information, call Chris Gan at (206) 878-3710, ext. 3695, or e-mail cgan@highline.edu.

The MaST Center, a 5,270-square-foot public education center, is located at 28203 Redondo Beach Dr. S. in Des Moines. The center reopened in summer 2008 and is the largest free aquarium in Washington state.

For more information about the MaST Center, visit www.highline.edu/mast.