Creating the future stewards of Lake Champlain
Floating Classrooms engage students in local ecology and science education through keelboat sailing and inquiry-based on-shore lessons. These standards-based curriculums provide hands-on experiences that focus on immediate learning and application of locally relevant scientific topics. Floating Classrooms bring Vermont youth to the waterfront to participate in science first-hand, using a place-based pedagogy to build on students’ foundation of classroom learning through scientific sampling and experimentation.
Teachers can choose from a variety of topics that will be taught on shore and enhanced while sailing on Lake Champlain aboard our 23-foot keelboats. All programs are aligned to Vermont’s Framework of Standards and Learning Opportunities.
Lesson Topics
The Wonders of Watersheds
Experimentation Station: Water Quality and Chemistry in Lake Champlain
Physics and the Sport of Sailing
The Force of Nature: Weather Systems and Climate in Vermont
The Lake and Me: Human Impacts on Lake Champlain
Underwater Exploration and Engineering (full-day program, max 24 students)
Water Quality Monitoring Programming
Program Options
Half-day program: One lesson area on land and a sailing experience on the water (9am-12pm or 12pm-3pm).
Full-day program: Two lesson areas on land and a sailing experience on the water (9am-3pm).
Water Quality Monitoring: Land-based citizen science program. Students are trained in water quality testing procedures then gather data throughout the year for publication on the Sailing Center’s website. 20-40 minutes per visit.
2013 Program Dates: Half-day + Full-day programs
Spring Season: May 6 – June 9
Fall Season: August 26 – October 18
Water Quality Testing: Year round
Contact: For more information or questions please contact Education Director, Nick Neverisky at 802.864.2499 or nick@communitysailingcenter.org.
Application Process
Please complete and return the Floating Classrooms application. Once your application has been processed, you will be contacted regarding program dates and other pertinent program information.
Mail completed application to:
Community Sailing Center
Attn: Floating Classroom Program
P.O. Box 64818
Burlington, VT 05406
