All Aboard! Floating Classroom Cruises Cayuga Lake

Niamh O’Leary
Wells College

Acting as a "Floating Classroom", the Haendel will provide a platform for water monitoring, and play an important role in watershed education.

The weather couldn't have been better for the maiden voyage of Cayuga Lake's new traveling shipboard classroom, known to many as the "Floating Classroom". On an unusually warm, sunny afternoon in late April the Haendel set out from Long Point State Park with twelve Wells College students on board. Thanks to the availability of the Haendel and the expertise of its captain, Dennis Montgomery, the students gained first-hand experience in assessing water quality in the depths of Cayuga Lake. Since then other local students have had the opportunity to get on the lake and further their knowledge of water monitoring techniques and understanding of watershed concepts. During June, high-school seniors from the BOCES New Visions program enjoyed their Haendel experience. Many of them will be joining their teacher, Mark Johnson; for limnology studies at Woods Hole this summer. Boynton Middle School teacher Erica George also took advantage of this new opportunity with 21 members of the school's Environmental Science Club.

The launching of Cayuga Lake's Floating Classroom is the result of efforts by a local Floating Classroom Committee, which was put together in spring 2002 by members of the Cayuga Lake Watershed Intermunicipal Organization (IO). The Floating Classroom Committee currently includes representatives from the IO's Education, Public Participation and Outreach Committee, Cayuga Wooden Boatworks, Wells College, the Cayuga Lake Watershed Network and TST BOCES. Dennis Montgomery of Cayuga Wooden Boatworks has played a pivotal role; he owns and captains the 43 foot, 32 passenger, coastguard-certified Haendel.

The launching of the Haendel was an important milestone for the Floating Classroom Committee, which plans on expanding the program to provide more of the region's students and educators with opportunities to experience the Haendel. Strategies for assisting the participants with technical needs and providing curricular frameworks are also being developed. Evidence from similar Floating Classroom programs elsewhere suggests that the Haendel will shortly play an important role in enhancing watershed education for local students of all ages. The curricular possibilities are endless; many aspects of watershed study including history, geology, ecology, and conservation will be enhanced by the perspective offered aboard the Haendel.

Would you like to learn about opportunities on the Haendel for your school group or organization? Ideas and expertise in fund raising, education, and public relations are also needed. To get involved, E-mail Karin Harjes at kmharjes@hotmail.com or visit the project web site at www.cayugawatershed.org/floatingclassroom/fcc_home.html.