Whale of a Mystery

BSU CityLab offers a week-long, daytime biotechnology outreach program for middle school students called Whale of a Mystery.  Students entering grades 6-9 in the fall are eligible to apply. 

Two separate one-week sessions will be offered:

Session I, July 8-12, 2013 Only 3 spots left

Session II, July 15-19, 2013 FULL

if you would like to be placed on waitlist, email kmccoy@bridgew.edu

The program meets daily, from 8:30 am to 4:00 pm, on the Bridgewater State University campus.

The fee of $300 per student does not include lunch or transportation. 

A limited number of need-based scholarships will be available. 

Scholarship deadline has passed, please apply next year if interested.

Bridgewater State University Faculty and Staff get a $50.00 discount applied to final payment.

Deposit due with registration.

Registration is now OPEN.  Registrations are limited, so please apply early.  Last year we filled both weeks very quickly.

To make final payment for an application already submitted

(pay by credit card or electronic check): 
Final Payment

To apply online (pay by credit card or electronic check): 
Online Application

Please remember if you are applying for a scholarship, you must fill out the application online as well as complete and return the application Part B. 

Part B can be printed here.

To apply by mail (paper check only): 
Download the 2013 Application Packet

(non-scholarship and scholarship)

Download the 2013 Poster

This popular program, with a biotechnology and whale theme, draws many applicants from the region and provides an interdisciplinary mix of science, math and language arts. 

Students are "hired" as employees of the Bridgewater Animal Forensic Laboratory (BAFL) and are called upon to solve a “mystery.”   They work in groups of three to determine if a sample of “whale meat" is from an endangered species that has been sold illegally in a foreign fish market. 

Monday and Tuesday are spent in the lab.  On Wednesday the students take a break to experience a whale watch out of Plymouth Harbor (parents and siblings are invited, provided they pay their own way).  On Thursday, it’s back to the lab to analyze results and write reports.  Friday morning is spent preparing materials for the afternoon's "congressional hearing," to which parents, grandparents, etc. are invited as well!

The program meets daily from 8:30 am to 4:00 pm on the Bridgewater State University campus.  Most activities take place in the CityLab facility in the new Conant Science and Mathematics Center on Park Avenue .

If you would like to be added to the mailing list for future summer offerings, please contact Kim McCoy by email kmccoy@bridgew.edu or phone (508)531-2630

Whale Resource Links

This page was updated on January 31, 2012