Schoolship Brochure - Inland Seas Education Association

An Investment In The Future
Testimonials
The goal of the Schoolship programs is to inspire
students by involving them in the science, culture,
and history of the Great Lakes. ISEA is committed to
providing this engaging experience so that together
we can foster your students’ active stewardship of the
greatest body of freshwater in the world. The Great
Lakes, which contain 20% of the world’s surface
freshwater, are within a day’s drive of over thirty-five
million citizens. When your students experience the
wonder of these Great Lakes firsthand, they’ll discover
why it’s so important to safeguard this magnificent
resource and how to ensure its healthy future.
Since its founding in 1989, the Great Lakes Schoolship
programs have attracted over 100,000 students
and their teachers from throughout the Great Lakes
region. Many participating schools return each year.
Here’s what they’ve shared about the Schoolship:
Join us aboard the
Great Lakes Schoolship for
hands-on science & discovery
From the moment we stepped on the deck
until we returned to the dock, we experienced
the true meaning of authentic learning.
– Science Coordinator, Alpena Public Schools
Students who participate in a Schoolship session
will take away a new awareness of their own
place in the Great Lakes ecosystem and an
appreciation for math and science that before
may have had no connection to real life situations.
– Superintendent
The reason there are astronauts, oceanographers,
limnologists and other scientists is because of
programs like this. Some of these kids that sailed here
today will become well known scientists because of
what they experienced on board the Schoolship.
– Science Coordinator, Laker Middle School
Safety & Weather Policy
Safety aboard our vessels is of utmost concern at
Inland Seas. The Schoolship vessels are certified by
the U.S. Coast Guard to carry passengers for hire, and
are inspected annually. Each vessel carries the safety
and emergency equipment required. The captain has
ultimate authority over vessel operations and will
instruct passengers and crew about safety practices.
Weather is always a factor on the Great Lakes. It can
delay, interrupt, or cancel a program. The captain
will determine if weather conditions are not suitable
for safe vessel operations. In the event that your
program is cancelled due to bad weather, ISEA will
try to reschedule your group or give you the option
of a dockside or Education Center program. If that is
not possible, a full refund will be provided.
To learn more about ISEA, visit us at
www.schoolship.org or call 231.271.3077.
Inland Seas Education Association
100 Dame Street
Suttons Bay, MI 49682
Inland Seas
EDUCATIONASSOCIATION
The Great Lakes Schoolship Programs
The 77’ Great Lakes Schoolship Inland Seas splashes
to windward out of Suttons Bay beneath a sparkling
northern Michigan sky. Aboard are thirty-two
students who have come to this lakeside village on
the 45th parallel to become ‘scientists for the day’.
Soon they will be using scientific instruments to probe
the hidden world of the Great Lakes. Within twenty
minutes, discoveries will be made and the world they
once knew will change forever. They could be your
students.
Sailing aboard ISEA’s 77’ schooner Inland Seas or
the chartered 114’ schooner Manitou, the Great
Lakes Schoolship programs are designed to meet
the physical, biological and earth science needs of
teachers at all grade levels. Students will also gain
knowledge in the areas of history and geography
and will assist with sailing a traditional Great Lakes
sailing vessel. Prior to sailing, teachers receive
the Schoolship Teacher’s Guide, which contains
information and activities to prepare their students
for the day aboard the Schoolship.
Igniting passion and sparking curiosity about the
Great Lakes is what drives us forward in all we do.
And it is thanks, in no small part, to the generosity
of ISEA’s donors and supporters that we are able
to invest in students’ education and offer these
programs to schools all over the Great Lakes region
at one-third of our operating costs (an average of
$25 a student). The Inland Seas schooner holds up
to 32 students, teachers, and chaperones (Manitou
up to 35 passengers).
Before each sail, students explore the Inland Seas
Education Center which houses interactive Great
Lakes exhibits, aquaria, and a laboratory. On the
grounds is our wetland demonstration project and
200 feet of shoreline for students to enjoy.
Under sail, your students become Great Lakes
Scientists as they work in small groups to catch and
examine fish, bottom organisms, sediment and plants,
and view plankton through a micro-video system.
Students also participate as a member of the crew as
they take a turn steering the ship, help raise the sails
and hoist the anchor.
Under Sail
Programs aboard Inland Seas originate at the Inland
Seas Education Center in Suttons Bay, while programs
aboard Manitou board in Traverse City.
Morning groups arrive at 8:30 am and
return at 12:30 pm.
Half-day Sails: $825
Full-day Sails: $1,750 (Lunch included on water)
We recognize the hurdle that generating funding
can be for teachers and administrators who are
already hard at work in the classroom. Because of
this we want to partner with you by sharing ideas and
strategies for funding as well as options for payment.
Please give us a call for more information.
Sharing the wonder of the Great Lakes with students
and teaching them how they can actively protect
them is our joy and passion. Our Schoolship programs
provide an adventure in learning for students that is
sure to have a lasting impact on their future and the
future of our Great Lakes. We would love to share
more with you about our programs, answer any
questions you have, and assist you in scheduling this
adventure for your students!
Call or email us today!
231.271.3077
isea@schoolship.org
Afternoon groups arrive at 1:15 pm and
return at 5:15 pm.
ISEA has developed a variety of Schoolship
programs designed specifically for your students.
With advance notice, programs can also be
customized for groups with special needs. For
interested groups, ISEA can also provide custom
half- or full-day science programs at the Center to
complement the Schoolship experience.