The 2018 American Scientific Affiliation

Annual Meeting

July 27–30

Gordon College, Wenham, MA

Pre-Meeting Field Trips

Thursday, July 26, 2018

Red Sox Game

A trip to Boston in the summer isn't complete without a visit to Fenway!  The ASA has reserved a limited number of group tickets to see the Red Sox play the Minnesota Twins on Thursday, July 26, at 7:00 PM. Come cheer on our favorite team and explore Yawkey Way and this historic ballpark.

Transportation will depart from the circle in the Chapel parking lot at 5:00 PM. Food and beverages are available for purchase at the ballpark. In the event the game is cancelled due to weather prior to leaving for the ballpark, you will receive a full refund for this event.

Cost includes transportation and game ticket........................................................................................$75

Friday, July 27, 2018

Geology Walk at Halibut Point State Park and Reservation

This year's geology field trip includes views not to be missed! Transportation will depart from the circle in the Chapel parking lot at 9:00 AM for a short ride to Halibut Point State Park and Reservation in scenic Rockport, MA. Once the Babson Farm granite quarry, the properties are cooperatively managed by the Trustees of the Reservation and the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation. The park offers trails and tidepools and expansive ocean views. 

Learn more about the reservation here: https://www.mass.gov/locations/halibut-point-state-park

After the walking tour, you will then visit historic downtown Rockport for an opportunity to purchase lunch and explore the fishing village and shops. This is a unique North Shore experience! 

Cost includes transportation....................................................................................................................$25

MIT Laboratories Tour

This is a great opportunity to get an inside look at two state-of-the-art labs at MIT. 

Transportation will depart Gordon at 8:45 AM and travel to Cambridge, returning at 1:30 PM.

The larger group will be divided into two small groups, each group will visit both labs.

At Doug Lauffenburger's lab, attendees will get a close look at biotechnology research and education. While visiting Ian Hutchinson's lab, attendees will learn more about fusion research at MIT. This includes an exclusive look at the confinement experiment Alcator C-Mod which is the highest magnetic field divertor tokamak in the world. 

Cost includes transportation and boxed lunch........................................................................................$35

Cape Ann Whale Watch

A New England tourist favorite! Join fellow ASA members on a Cape Ann Whale Watch, the pioneers of whale watching in Gloucester since 1979. 

The boat trip will last 3 to 4 hours, depending on weather and whales. There is a naturalist aboard the Hurricane 2 that will give a running narration of all the whale activity encountered and interns will roam the boat with hands-on teaching tools to engage passengers with the environment and the whales themselves. Bathrooms and food for purchase are available on board.

Transportation will leave at 12:30 PM from the circle in the Chapel parking lot. Guests will arrive back to campus in time for dinner.

Cost includes transportation and Whale watch ticket............................................................................$65

Post-Meeting Field Trip

Monday, July 30, 2018

Harvard Museum of Natural History and The Peabody Museum of Archaeology & Ethnology

Visit both the Harvard Museum of Natural History and the Peabody Museum of Archaeology & Ethnology. The museums are located on the campus of the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States, just steps from picturesque Harvard Yard. On your self-guided tour, you can visit exhibitions about climate change, marine life, and microbial life as well as the museum’s most famous treasures, the internationally acclaimed Ware Collection of Blaschka Glass Models of Plants.

The Peabody Museum of Archaeology & Ethnology is located adjacent to the Harvard Museum of Natural History. This museum is among the oldest archaeological and ethnographic museums in the world with one of the finest collections of human cultural history found anywhere.

Transportation will leave from the circle in the Chapel parking lot on Monday at 12:45 PM. 

*An important reminder: You must check out of your on-campus accommodations and have lunch prior to this field trip. Arrangements can be made for your luggage.*