EVERETT, Wash. – Everett Community College’s Ocean Research College Academy (ORCA) will host an open house at 6 p.m. Jan. 30 at its waterfront location, 1205 Craftsman Way, Suite 203, in Everett.
Visitors and prospective students can see student work, meet faculty members, learn about the program and see the facility, including the oceanography research lab and 120-gallon seawater tank.
ORCA students conduct research in the Snohomish River estuary and students have the opportunity to present their work at regional and national conferences. Student work on display at the open house will include heavy metal legacy in Possession Sound and river otter abundance and distribution.
ORCA is an early college academy for high school students, who can earn up to two years of college credit while completing their high school education. Most students graduate with an associate’s degree in addition to a high school diploma.
The program is the only early college academy of its kind in the country. ORCA uses the local marine environment as the unifying theme for all academic disciplines.
ORCA is sponsored by EvCC and was initially funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. The academy was recently awarded two National Science Foundation grants, including one for the construction of a 34-foot research vessel.
For more information, contact ORCA Executive Director Ardi Kveven at 425-267-0156 or visit www.everettcc.edu/orca.