Freshmen Arial Mercado and Weyshla Castro represented EC Goodwin at the Project Oceanology; Ocean Diversity Institute in Groton Connecticut. Outstanding science students from all over Connecticut are chosen to participate in the 5 day, residential institute which included field study excursions that combined exploration of marine environments and habitats with laboratory research activities which offered an excellent review of CAPT science concepts. Ninth and tenth grade students from diverse socio-economic backgrounds conducted research in teams. Under the guidance of professional marine scientists, students used marine science research equipment.

Students selected for this program represent a diverse range of cultures, ethnicities and socio-economic backgrounds and from both urban and rural areas of Connecticut. During the institute, students participated in activities that encourage understanding and acceptance of differences in culture and background. The students' participation was set up by guidance counselors Ericka Shevchenko and Christopher Lynch.

Arial Mercado and Weyshla Castro with guidance counselor Christopher Lynch