High School Students to Study Lake Michigan Ecology Aboard Tall Ship

Inland Seas Education Association is recruiting high school-aged young men and women who will become scientists and crew for two days onboard the schoolship schooner Inland Seas as they conduct research projects related to the ecology of Lake Michigan. To accomplish their research objectives, students will learn to perform water chemistry analyses; determine the thermal structure of the lake; collect fish, plankton, and benthos; and analyze lake sediment. Students will also record weather observations several times a day for the National Weather Service. Students will enter their data on the shipboard computer for analysis, and prepare and present a short research report. Research results will be posted on ISEA’s website.

Students will also experience shipboard life and the demands of sailing a traditionally-rigged vessel. Students will learn boating safety, navigation and sailing theory. They will stand watch, help in the galley, and assist the crew with all phases of vessel operation including raising the anchor, hoisting sails, sail handling, and steering the boat. Team-building techniques will promote the students’ ability to work cooperatively with their peers.

The Young Men in Science trip, August 23-24, 2012, is free to all participants through scholarships from the Traverse City Optimist Club and the John Schulz Scholarship fund. This trip will begin and end in Suttons Bay, MI. The Young Women in Science trip, August 15-16, 2012, only has four spots available with two scholarship spots for Petoskey-area girls and two pay spots, $300 for the two days, open to any girl. This trip will begin in Charlevoix, MI and end in Suttons Bay, MI. High school students interested in attending should contact Inland Seas Education Association at (231) 271-3077!