Sail away with us
Sea Grant's shipboard science immersion programs transform teachers into motivated Great Lakes educators. These annual workshops, which occur on a different Great Lake each year, are part of the Center for Great Lakes Literacy. Over the course of a week and fueled by dynamic partnerships and the wind (real or virtual) in their sails, Great Lakes educators are exposed to the skills needed to navigate ship on a Great Lake, get to practice the science of lake ecology, and gain knowledge of the region’s seafaring history from a maritime archaeologist. These are trips of a lifetime.
Educator Expectations
Learn what is expected of educators on the 2026 Shipboard Science Immersion.
- Complete pre-program survey.
- Participate in three virtual meetings: Great Lakes 101, Overview of Expedition Projects, and Trip Orientation.
- Complete pre-trip assignments, such as reading journal articles from participating scientists.
- Adhere to all safety protocols.
- Work alongside scientists to collect, analyze, and interpret data in the field and in the lab.
- Participate in Great Lakes curricular activities.
- Share experience with the public via digital communications.
- Briefly present (as a team) scientific findings to colleagues, scientists and facilitators.
- Develop a plan for integrating the experience into classroom/programming.
- Incorporate the Great Lakes into your educational programming.
- Participate in post-program virtual check-in meetings with Sea Grant staff and/or fellow participants.
- Complete the post-program and 8-month follow-up surveys.
- Vessel: The EPA R/V Lake Guardian conducts monitoring to assess the health of all five Great Lakes by using state-of-the-art data collection techniques and instruments.
- Cost: The weeklong program is free for participating educators and includes room and board for six nights on the R/V Lake Guardian.
- Stipend: Participating educators will be eligible for a $500 stipend upon the completion of program requirements.
- Credits: Participating educators will receive a certificate of completion for 50 contact hours of professional development.
What to know about this project
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What is a shipboard science workshop?
Shipboard science workshops are day to week-long, onboard or virtual Great Lakes professional learning opportunities for educators from Great Lakes states. Workshops take place aboard the United States Environmental Protection Agency’s research vessel, the Lake Guardian, the University of Minnesota’s Large Lakes Observatory research vessel, the Blue Heron, Discovery World’s sailing vessel the Denis Sullivan, and other ships of opportunity.
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Project description
Shipboard science workshops help participant educators gain an understanding of Great Lakes ecology, get hands-on experience doing water science, and foster awareness and appreciation for the Great Lakes. In addition to amazing stories about their real or virtual sailing adventures, workshop participants will take home curricula and resources to use in their classrooms and other teaching environments. Participants can also earn science education and graduate course credit.
Project activities:
The 2022 Lake Guardian shipboard science workshops on Lake Superior and Lake Huron are canceled due to mechanical issues. Planning for alternative workshops is underway.
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Why Minnesota Sea Grant?
Our shipboard science workshops support Sea Grant's mission to enhance the practical use and conservation of coastal, marine and Great Lakes resources in order to create a sustainable economy and environment.
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What have we done lately?
- October 2025: Minnesota Sea Grant is partnering with Wisconsin Sea Grant to plan the 2026 Shipboard Science Immersion on Lake Superior.
- July 2025: The 2025 Shipboard Science Immersion took place July 7 - 13, 2025, aboard U.S. EPA R/V Lake Guardian on Lake Michigan. More information can be found on the Center for Great Lakes Literacy’s website.
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Participants & audience
Shipboard science workshops are available to 4th-12th grade teachers and educators in the Great Lakes states of Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Ohio, Illinois, Indiana, Pennsylvania, and New York.
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Funding
- Extending Impact of United States Environmental Protection Agency's Great Lakes National Program Office Using Sea Grant Outreach Capacity, United States Department of Commerce National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Award number: NA20OAR4170343. Project start date: 05-01-2020. Project end date: 12-31-2022. Award amount: $135,721.
- Minnesota Sea Grant Omnibus - Denis Sullivan Traditional Ecological Knowledge Visioning. United States Department of Commerce National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Award number: NA18OAR4170101. Project start date: 02-01-2018. Project end date: 08-31-2022. Award amount: $21,279.
Program Staff
Program News
Formal and nonformal fifth–12th-grade educators are invited to apply by February 28, 2026.
Partners
- Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, Tribal Government
- Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College, Academic Institution (College and University)
- Great Lakes Sea Grant Network, Sea Grant Programs
- Wisconsin Sea Grant, Sea Grant Programs
- Simley High School, Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota, K-12