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Photo courtesy Provincetown Center for Coastal Studies
The 125-ft. schooner Spirit of Massachusetts becomes a Òfloating classroomÓ for local school kids this week. |
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Students head back to sea
By Kaimi Rose Lum
Banner Staff
PROVINCETOWN Š The ocean that is their backyard will become their classroom when students from Provincetown schools hop on board the schooner Spirit of Massachusetts this week to immerse themselves in the study of marine science and learn a thing or two about seamanship. The Ņfloating classroomÓ sets sail Monday morning from MacMillan Pier with a boatful of ninth-graders and will make repeated trips throughout the week to include all kids from grade six to 12.
"ItÕs wonderful. It enriches the childrenÕs knowledge about the sea," said Provincetown School Supt. Jessica Waugh.
The program, called MassSail, is a collaboration between the Provincetown Center for Coastal Studies, the Ocean Classroom Foundation and the school system. Waugh said it was cut from the school budget several years back but she restored it.
ŅItÕs a program thatÕs so worthwhile, for a lot of reasons. One of the reasons is that it continues our collaboration with the Center for Coastal Studies. The other thing is it fits beautifully, dovetails you could say, into our environmental science programs,Ó she said.
This is the first time theyÕve launched in the fall, past trips being scheduled usually in April or May. Waugh said she thought the program would be better-suited to this time of year "because itÕs so hands-on and because the kids also learn about seamanship." What better way for the kids to start school in September than with a voyage on the water Ń not only is it educational but itÕs a chance for them to bond, she said. "ItÕs just a natural fit."
klum@provincetownbanner.com
See the full story in this weekÕs Banner.
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