2012 AUGUST-MASHPEE EDIC Plan for Executive Park

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Mashpee and Falmouth have developed innovative programs with tech resources in the area. Upper Cape schools have begun to tap the educational potential of the area's scientific institutions, which include Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI), the Marine Biological Laboratory, U.S. Geological Survey,National Marine Fisheries Service,the Woods Hole Research Center, and the Waquoit Bay Natural Estuarine Research Reserve. Programs which have been developed include: • Partnerships Advancing Learning of Math and Science (PALMS). With funding from the Massachusetts Department of Education and the National Science Foundation, Bourne, Falmouth, and Mashpee have developed an innovative partnership between the schools and area businesses, research institutions, higher education, and residents. Mashpee teachers, after attending a course at the Marine Biological Laboratory,will integrate their new knowledge into teaching curriculum on microbiology. • Woods Hole Science and Technology Partnership (WHSTP). The activities of the WHSTP are varied, but.like PALMS, the organization is devoted to drawing on the community to promote science and math curriculum. The Partnership has held science.fairs, established a science and technology week, organized laboratory tours for area faculty, sponsored faculty seminars on science curriculum, and prompted lectures on use of the Internet. WHSTP also fostered the creation of a mini-grant program with funding from local technology businesses that enables teachers to pursue research topics of benefit to classroom instruction of science. While general resources are available for meeting resident needs in adult education, the Cape lacks some specialized training programs and the presence of a jour year higher educational institution. The Cape Cod region has many institutions, organizations, and programs devoted to the education and training of Cape residents. While Cape Cod Community College (CCCC) is the central education and training institution for Cape residents, it is complemented by a number of programs and institutions: • Falmouth Night School • Fisher College Division of Continuing • Job Training and Employment Corporation Education • Travel Education Center • UMass classes at Woods Hole Oceanographic • Northeast Maritime,Inc. Institute • Massachusetts Maritime Academy • Cape Cod Regional Technical High School • Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute • Upper Cape Regional Technical High School • Elder Services of Cape Cod Cape Cod Community College also plays host to institutions that provide graduate degrees primarily in fields of use to Cape educators. With the exception of Massachusetts Maritime Academy, which offers a highly specialized college degree, there are no permanent institutions devoted to four-year baccalaureate education on Cape Cod. There is much interest within the educational and business communities in attracting a four- year college that would further complement the existing educational resources. A separate but related issue is the lack of specialized technical training. A number of organizations have noted marine and environmental technologies as emerging industries on the Cape. In addition, the software and telecommunications industry is a small but important employer for the region. As the Cape's tourist economy has enabled restaurants to flourish, there also appears to be unmet demand for advanced culinary training. Cape Cod Community College has responded to this need with a hotel and restaurant management degree and Cape Cod Regional Technical High School offers a culinary arts program. However, neither of these programs would prepare students for high-level placements as chefs. A Job Training and Employment Corporation (JTEC) representative also pointed to advanced culinary training as a problematic gap in the Cape's existing resources. Cape Cod Community College (CCCC) is a critical resource for residents and businesses. Cape Cod Community College is Cape Cod's primary educational resource. With a relatively thin infrastructure of 9