Marin Academy Research Collaborative
Marin Academy supports student interests in many ways. Our STEM research program allows students to follow interests and questions in a manner that fosters independence and healthy risk taking while offering support along the way.
Program Overview
MARC Tracks
Applied Genetics Research 🪰 |
Independent STEM Research 💡 |
|
---|---|---|
Project structure |
Team-based |
Independent |
Research topic |
Molecular genetics with fruit flies |
Students choose their own |
Experimental design |
Structured, pre-set design |
Students design their own |
Scientist connections |
Established partnership with Stanford |
Students identify & connect with scientist mentors |
Research location |
Research carried out at MA |
Variable research locations (at MA, mentor’s institution, field sites, etc.) |
When/duration? |
1-year (11th OR 12th grade) |
2-years (11th AND 12th grades) |
Course title |
Independent STEM Research 1 (11th grade) & Independent STEM Research 2 (12th grade) |
|
Grading |
Graded |
Pass/No Pass |
# Students |
10 students |
8 students per grade (16 total) |
Application deadline |
Applications due March 7th, 2024 (apply to either/both tracks within MARC) |
Information for Parents of Prospective MARC Students
- My child is interested in science. Should they consider the MARC program?
- Which student types perform best in this program?
- When can a student begin participating in the MARC program?
- What should a 10th grader who is preparing to enter the MARC program in 11th-grade expect within the first few months of the program and throughout the next two years?
- What are the 11th-grade course objectives?
- What are the 12th-grade course objectives?
- What does collaboration look like in the MARC program?
- Does my child need to double in science to participate in the MARC Program?
- Is this program widely recognized by college admission boards?
- In which disciplines can a student complete research?
- Is my child required to work in a research facility during the summer between their junior and senior year?
- How does enrollment in the MARC program affect my child’s ability to participate in semester abroad programs, co-curricular activities, or work after school?
- If my child has additional questions about the MARC program, how can they get more information?
My child is interested in science. Should they consider the MARC program?
Which student types perform best in this program?
When can a student begin participating in the MARC program?
What should a 10th grader who is preparing to enter the MARC program in 11th-grade expect within the first few months of the program and throughout the next two years?
What are the 11th-grade course objectives?
What are the 12th-grade course objectives?
What does collaboration look like in the MARC program?
Does my child need to double in science to participate in the MARC Program?
Is this program widely recognized by college admission boards?
In which disciplines can a student complete research?
Is my child required to work in a research facility during the summer between their junior and senior year?
How does enrollment in the MARC program affect my child’s ability to participate in semester abroad programs, co-curricular activities, or work after school?
If my child has additional questions about the MARC program, how can they get more information?
Our Goals
This STEM research program supports interested students in making meaningful contributions to real-world scientific investigation, in partnership with professional scientists.
Key features of MARC:
-
Project-based experiential learning
-
Exploration & investigation
-
Research and data literacy
-
Community contribution beyond MA
-
Professional collaboration with researchers
-
Potential to publish/present findings
-
Small & supportive cohorts
MARC News
I was immediately drawn to the MARC program as a way to potentially explore more ways to help mitigate pollution. I dipped my toe in the water of what researching and crafting an experiment was actually like by taking the pre-MARC class. This was very transformative in my decision to apply to the MARC program. It opened my eyes to the impact that research could have on decreasing plastic pollution or addressing water shortages.
Elsa '22