Environmental Rediscoveries (Curriculum)

Three Pennsylvania institutions have teamed up to provide the opportunity for students to participate in a unique educational experience. Participants will sail aboard a 42- foot traditionally rigged vessel and engage in scientific research while learning about the ecology of Presque Isle Bay. Students will be transformed into sailors and scientists for a day as they raise and lower the sails and search for aquatic plants and animals. This curriculum was developed to educate students about the ecology and inhabitants at the Presque Isle Bay region prior to embarking on the field trip. The curriculum, in print (PENN-E-01-001) or on CD-ROM (PENN-C-01-001), provides activities and topics of discussion above and beyond the required preparation, allowing teachers to use these resources as they see fit, and not strictly in conjunction with a sailing excursion. Designed for 7th grade but adaptable to other levels, the program emphasizes science process skills while promoting skills in communication, mathematics, environmental stewardship, and social studies.