Ingenuity Year: Tackling climate change in coastal Maine

Portland Head Light, Maine

A gap year program for students 17-21 who want to better the planet—and themselves. 

At Forman, we’re dedicated to educating whole people: building their confidence, self-belief, collaboration skills, and equipping them with a toolkit to follow dream projects through. Our Ingenuity Gap Year is a chance to take Forman’s immersive learning to the next level—via a structured, adventure-filled program in coastal Maine, unpacking the impacts of climate change.

Over 10 weeks, students collect climate-related data in a field environment, while kayaking on islands, working on farms, and laying lobster pots. They learn to conduct real tests and contribute research to our partner organizations, like the Maine Heritage Trust. They create a climate-related project that’s personal to them; plan and lead a weeklong expedition alongside fellow students; and work with an executive function coach to stay organized and discover exactly how their brain works.

Program details

Dates: September 1 - November 10, 2023 (10 weeks)

Cost: $16, 500 (all-inclusive, with meals and boarding provided)

Group size: Up to 15 students (aged 17-21) and three experienced program leader

We welcome every kind of student.

This program is available to students with learning differences eager to understand how they learn best. Participants do not need to be enrolled at Forman.