[Top] Students lower a Secchi disk to test for the water's turbidity.[Middle] Deckhands turned teachers led students in a variety of small group activities for a firsthand look at the science of the Great Lakes ecosystem.[Bottom] Fort LeBoeuf Middle School students Abby Papale, Bradley Pier and Danielle Rendulic examine zebra mussels found in Lake Erie. |
Missing were the dry, boring science, history, and math lessons. While educators and policy makers debate how to improve education in American schools, Pennsylvania Sea Grant continues to make it happen. Lowering the gangplank on Pennsylvania Sea Grant's "Tall Fall" allowed local students and the public to experience Great Lakes science, history, and math on board two tall ships, the S/V Denis Sullivan and the U.S. Brig Niagara. Pennsylvania Sea Grant merged science and local history with the 'Tall Fall' event. On September 29 and 30, students got a taste of the adventure of sailing a nineteenth century Great Lakes schooner and a first-hand look at the science of the Great Lakes ecosystem," said maritime education specialist David Boughton. "It presented a unique lifetime experience for students and a wonderful opportunity for collaboration between the Sullivan and the Brig," he added. Both ships have important historical significance and serve as educational and nautical training vessels. The Denis Sullivan, Wisconsin's flagship, is a re-creation of a Great Lakes schooner. It's also a first-class educational sailing vessel with a modern scientific laboratory. The Niagara, Pennsylvania's flagship, is the reproduction of the ship that played a key role in the American victory over the British in the Battle of Lake Erie during the War of 1812. Bringing the classroom to Lake Erie is what the S/V Denis Sullivan did for over 200 students from Erie, Sharon, Hermitage, and Grove City, Pennsylvania and Sherman, New York. This three-masted schooner allowed them to sail on Lake Erie, collect sediment samples, hoist the sails, and gain a better understanding and respect for part of the largest system of freshwater on our planet. Danielle Rendulic, Fort LeBoeuf Middle School seventh-grader, liked the concept. "Kids need to learn about Lake Erie on a ship rather than in a classroom just hearing people talk, because you learn more doing science," she said. A partnership of Pennsylvania Sea Grant and the schooner made the program possible. The Centers for Ocean Sciences Education Excellence (COSEE) and Penn State Behrend provided funding. Many of the students, including tenth-grader Samantha Black of Sherman, had never been on Lake Erie before boarding the schooner. "I enjoyed learning a lot about sailing vessels and marine biology," she said. Deck hands turned teachers led the students in small groups, exciting them about science, math, and history. Each group did water quality experiments, practiced tying knots, and examined the zebra mussels collected from the lake bottom. Fort LeBoeuf eighth-grader, Maria Peluso was amazed to learn there were so many invasive zebra mussels in our lake. "I even got to open a zebra muscle and look inside as we got down and dirty at the station filled with mud and zebra mussels galore," she said. After journeying into the lake, the Sullivan made its return to the bay. Lee Murdock, interpreter of songs and tales about the Great Lakes, sang about the sailors, anglers, lighthouse keepers, ghosts, shipwrecks, outlaws, and everyday heroes. Students got a chance to sing along as they learned how the sailors used the sea chanteys for rhythm while the crew around them lowered the sails. These young people will not soon forget their exciting cruise. Fort LeBoeuf eighth grader Kamryn Troyer said, "I will keep in mind the hard work by so many people that made it possible. Thanks so much!" Joe Ewing, deckhand and onboard historian who has continued to volunteer since participating in building the Sullivan, looks forward to making Erie a regular stop. Boughton is happy with the results of the first Pennsylvania Sea Grant "Tall Fall." He is already planning for spring and fall events as the Sullivan makes its voyage in May to Milwaukee, its homeport, and back to its winter port, Florida, in September. His goal is to make this unique educational opportunity a reality for more area students. : : Contact David Boughton at 217-9019 or dbb11@psu.edu. |