Education - K-12 School and Group Programs

Environmental Rediscoveries
Climb aboard the Friendship Sloop Momentum in this unique activity-based study of Presque Isle Bay in Lake Erie. Students become transformed into sailors and scientists as they raise and lower sails, search for aquatic plants and animals and learn about the environmental quality of the Bay. Through the Environmental Rediscoveries experience, teachers and students gain a deeper understanding of human impacts on Presque Isle Bay and actions to protect our environment.

Additional classroom activities and materials are available on the Education Resources page.

Pennsylvania Sea Grant received a $10,000 donation from the Friends of Fish Foundation to implement boating and fishing programs to serve inner city youths from the Erie and Philadelphia areas. 

The Friends of Fish Foundation promotes youth fishing and environmental education programs that help keep teens out of trouble. “The contribution took us totally by surprise,” commented Sea Grant Extension Program Director, Eric Obert. “We are happy to partner with groups like the Friends of Fish Foundation to provide an opportunity for young people to get out on the water and learn about the outdoors.”

The funds were used to develop a program called Project FLY (Fishing and Learning Youth) to serve at-risk students from the Erie and Philadelphia areas. In Erie, support from the Foundation provided the equipment and supplies for more than eighty students from the Perseus House Charter School of Excellence Maritime Center. Project FLY introduced recreational fishing and conservation ethics during a half-day classroom session and a full-day field trip to Presque Isle State Park where students learned to cast and fish. Project FLY partners include the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission’s Aquatic Resources Education Program, Save Our Native Species of Lake Erie, Presque Isle State Park staff, and Trout Unlimited. Additional plans are underway for these same students to try their hand at ice fishing and fly tying; in the spring, they will put their flies to the test fishing for trout at Presque Isle State Park.

In the Philadelphia area, Project FLY is working with three organizations, Karing Living Together, Big Brothers Big Sisters, and the Police Athletic League, to offer a canoeing and fishing day camp during spring vacation. This program for inner city youths will take place at the John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge. Plans are also in the works to develop additional summer aquatic education opportunities.

Contact Ann Faulds for additional information.