ST. PAUL and DULUTH, Minn. – Minnesota Sea Grant is pleased to announce that applications are now open for the 2026 Shipboard Science Immersion, a unique professional learning experience for formal and nonformal fifth–12th grade educators from across the Great Lakes region. This immersive program will take place July 7–13, 2026, aboard the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s research vessel R/V Lake Guardian on Lake Superior.
Sea Grant’s Shipboard Science Immersion, organized through the Center for Great Lakes Literacy in partnership with the EPA Great Lakes National Program Office and the Great Lakes Sea Grant Network, offers participants the opportunity to work alongside scientists as they conduct real-world Great Lakes science. Educators will gain hands-on field experience in aquatic science, learn strategies for engaging students with regional environmental data, and bring back new tools to enrich classroom teaching and informal learning environments.
“Programs like the Shipboard Science Immersion help educators deepen their content knowledge and confidence in teaching Great Lakes science,” said Minnesota Sea Grant Environmental Education and Workforce Development Extension Educator Heidi Ferris. “Participants return with powerful experiences, connections, and resources that inspire their students and communities.”
The annual immersion experience rotates among the five Great Lakes and fosters lasting connections between educators and scientists while promoting Great Lakes stewardship. In 2026, the R/V Lake Guardian will host educators on Lake Superior for a week of inquiry, collaboration, and discovery.
Who should apply: Formal and nonformal educators (grades five–12)
Program dates: July 7–13, 2026 — Lake Superior aboard the EPA R/V Lake Guardian
Learn more & apply:
Educators selected for the program also receive a stipend to support integration of their shipboard experience into curriculum and outreach back home.
Minnesota Sea Grant encourages interested educators to review the eligibility criteria and begin the application process now. The deadline to submit applications is February 28, 2026.
About Minnesota Sea Grant:
Minnesota Sea Grant, a program of the University of Minnesota, supports educators, communities, and stakeholders in understanding and applying Great Lakes and freshwater science. Through research, outreach, and education, Minnesota Sea Grant works to strengthen the sustainable use and conservation of coastal resources.
CONTACTS:
Marie Thoms, Communications Director, Minnesota Sea Grant, University of Minnesota and University of Minnesota Duluth. [email protected].
Heidi Ferris, environmental literacy & workforce development extension educator, Minnesota Sea Grant, University of Minnesota. [email protected].