The following article is from an archived newsletter. See our Shared Waters newsletter.

Hands-on Learning Leads to Great Lakes Stewards

Lisa Sitkins
Inland Seas Education Association
inland seas utopia

Inland Seas Education Association (ISEA) is one of many organizations around the Great Lakes that provides educational opportunities for individuals to develop a personal relationship with the waters. From teachers and students to individuals and families, the Suttons Bay, Michigan-based nonprofit inspires people to be curious about the Great Lakes and encourages them to look after this awesome resource. Hands-on programming takes place aboard tall ships, along the shore and in the Capt. Thomas M. Kelly Biological Station.

Teachers have the potential to be significant influencers on our Great Lakes because of their yearly connection to students. Knowing this, ISEA provides programs for teachers and their classrooms. In the spring and fall, students board tall ship schooners to learn about the health of the Great Lakes through Schoolship programs. Students become Great Lakes scientists for the day as they collect and analyze samples. Their research continues as they compare their collected data to ISEA’s 30-year historical data. Students also become sailors as they participate in hoisting the anchor, raising the sails and steering the ship.

inland seas utopia
The Inland Seas, left, and Utopia, sailing vessels. Credit: Inland Seas

Many classrooms add an ROV Engineer and Explore program, a hands-on experience building remotely operated vehicles and exploring careers that use them. Schools also enjoy Beyond Schoolship programs that take place off the ship, such as Biking the TART Trail, Soil Science and Stream Monitoring at Leo Creek Preserve and custom shoreside programs.

“In order for students to develop a passion for the lakes, they need to experience them,” says Fred Sitkins, ISEA’s executive director. “We offer a variety of programs, both on and off the ships, that connect individuals to the Grand Traverse region and the Great Lakes.”

students ROV
Students build and test remotely operated vehicles. Credit: ISEA

On the shore of Lake Michigan in Suttons Bay, the Capt. Thomas M. Kelly Biological Station is home to an invasive species museum, science laboratory, and dormitory-style housing that can accommodate groups of up to 40. Participants who stay have access to the organization’s lakefront as well as the outdoor classroom and fire pit. A variety of Leelanau County lakes and hiking trails, as well as the Sleeping Bear Sand Dunes, can be easily reached by groups staying at the facility.

A federal grant allows ISEA to offer a Great Lakes Watershed Field Course for 30 teachers from the Great Lakes region. In the four-day professional development course, teachers learn how to incorporate watershed and environmental concepts, place-based education and environmental education instruction into their classes. Teachers have time to build curriculum during the training and ISEA provides continued support during the school year.

kelly station
The Kelly Biological Station. Credit: ISEA

In summer months, ISEA provides programming for the public that includes multi-day programs, charters, science sails and specialty sails.

“Students dig deeper into Great Lakes research on our multi-day sails,” Sitkins notes. “They also have the opportunity to forge a positive relationship with the Great Lakes through island exploration, swimming and relaxation.”

Various groups charter the schooner Inland Seas for a few hours to many days and use ISEA’s programming or the ship as a platform for their own programs. That includes IJC Commissioners, who plan to board the schooner in mid-August as part of public consultations around the Great Lakes to learn more about the program and issues impacting the Grand Traverse Bay region of Lake Michigan.

Public science sails include the popular three-hour Great Lakes Discovery Sail, which is similar to the Schoolship program, and two-hour focused programs like Fishes of Lake Michigan and Steady the Ship. Personal relationships with the Great Lakes also are developed on Night Sky Gazing, Breakfast and Fall Color sails.

More information about ISEA programming can be found at schoolship.org.

students algae
Students examine algae from the bottom of the lake, looking for aquatic species. Credit: ISEA
Lisa Sitkins
Inland Seas Education Association

Lisa Sitkins is a consultant for Inland Seas Education Association in Suttons Bay, Michigan.

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