BaySail's info

BaySail's Mission

>> To foster environmental stewardship of the Saginaw Bay Watershed and the Great Lakes ecosystem and to provide personal development opportunities for learners of all ages through ship board and land based educational experiences. <<

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Science Under Sail K-12

Science Under Sail program

BaySail’s Science Under Sail program, delivered on board the Appledore IV and Appledore V, is a hands-on science program for elementary through high school students. On board activities were developed with the teacher in mind, with each activity covering a variety of academic disciplines and emphasizing MEAP objectives. The program includes pre and post sail activities aligned to Michigan Content Standards and Benchmarks for each major discipline – Language Arts, Math, Science, and Social Studies. Each participating teacher receives a level specific Educator’s Manual, which is full of water-related activities that can be used in the classroom both before and after the Appledore trip.

The emphasis of the educational sail is water quality, with the primary focus on issues specific to the Saginaw Bay Watershed and The Great lakes. During the 3 1/2 hour trip aboard the Appledore, students will be directly involved in analyzing the water, sediment and plankton samples that they collect while anchored in the Saginaw Bay. During these interactive exercises, students learn how these different components play an important role in the ecosystems of the Saginaw Bay and Saginaw River. In order to include other subjects and peak interest in other areas, students will also take part in several hands-on activities revolving around weather, navigation, and scientific observation while traveling on the Saginaw River.

In addition to offering an extensive scientific curriculum, the trip provides the students the opportunity to participate in raising some of the schooner’s seven different sails under the watchful eye of the Appledore’s experienced Captain and crew.

The program breaks down as follows:

River Stations:
Weather - take readings of humidity, wind velocity etc
Navigation - learn some basic navigation techniques using a nautical chart and instruments
Observation - identify birds, waterfowl, point source and nonpoint source pollution
At Anchor: Students gather samples of lake bottom (benthos), water, and plankton.
Sailing: Students and crew raise the sails and coil the lines.
Bay Stations:
Benthic -analyze bottom sample for organisms
Water -analyze water sample for temperature, clarity, dissolved oxygen and PH levels
Plankton - identify and examine live plankton with microscopes below deck