The captain of the S/V Denis Sullivan welcomes students aboard the three-masted schooner that acts as a floating classroom during its stop in Erie in September 2008. |
There's a better way to learn about the Great Lakes. A sloop, a water taxi, and a schooner brought learning for 1,000 students, and 200 teachers and citizens in the Erie region to a new level this year. Pennsylvania Sea Grant took advantage of these floating classrooms to kindle a deeper interest and appreciation of the natural, historic, and cultural aspects of Lake Erie and the other Great Lakes. Besides taking advantage of the beautiful Erie waterfront, participants were actively involved in science-based activities and even sang sea shanties while they were on the water. Informed and active citizens make better decisions that ultimately affect the use and conservation of the largest source of freshwater on the planet. By bringing Lake Erie to the people through science-based programming, it is our goal that more residents and visitors to the area will make more responsible management and coastal stewardship decisions. Their increased awareness will help sustain a healthy environment and economy. David Frew, local historian and one of the presenters on the water taxi said it best, "When people feel connected to a place, it's easy to encourage a preservation ethic."
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