UConn
ECE Marine Science
Symposium
Showcases Student
Research
May 22 & 28, 2025
The 2025 UConn Early College Experience Marine Science Symposium made waves this spring at the UConn Avery Point Campus. With growing interest and over 175 student participants, the event expanded to two dates—May 22 and May 28—to accommodate the impressive turnout of UConn ECE student researchers and marine science enthusiasts from high schools across Connecticut.
Hosted on the scenic shores of Long Island Sound, the symposium provided an inspiring platform for high school students enrolled in UConn’s ECE Marine Science courses (MARN1001E: The Sea Around Us and MARN1003E: Introduction to Oceanography with Lab) to showcase the results of their year long research projects. Six schools participated in this year’s event: University High School of Science and Engineering, Marine Science Magnet High School, Waterford High School, Ledyard High School, The Morgan School, and The Sound School.
Students presented their work through a combination of oral presentations and detailed scientific posters. Research topics ranged from micro-plastic pollution and marine biodiversity to the impacts of climate change on coastal ecosystems. The diversity of subjects reflected not only the rigor of the student projects but also the enthusiasm and curiosity these young scientists bring to the field of marine science.
By splitting the schools between two dates, the symposium offered a more focused and engaging experience, allowing for deeper discussions, peer-to-peer feedback, and meaningful interactions with UConn faculty and marine science professionals. This format helped bridge classroom learning with the real-world application of scientific research.
Events like the Marine Science Symposium exemplify the power of experiential education. Students walked away with more than just academic credit—they gained confidence, presentation skills, and a genuine sense of belonging in the scientific community. Their work was not only ambitious and well researched but also impressively presented, showcasing a high level of professionalism and
dedication.