In our Schoolship programs, students board one of our tall ship schooners and become scientists, while assisting instructors with the collection and analysis of Great Lakes samples. During an ROV Engineer and Explore program, students learn to collaborate in teams to design and build an aquatic ROV to complete specific missions. Watershed Exploration programs connect students with the Great Lakes by exploring watersheds and gaining experience with technology and skills used in the field. All of our school programs are designed to help teachers meet Michigan’s K-12 Science Standards.
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Annual Program Availability
Our programs run during different months throughout the year. Please refer to the graphic below to see when they’re available.
Programs
Schoolship
Grades K-12, College
How does the Great Lakes food web function and what can it tell us about the health of the lakes? Students are transformed into Great Lakes scientists, sailors, and stewards when they board one of our tall ship schooners! While out on the water, your students will gain a unique insight into the ecology of the Great Lakes. Students assist instructors with the collection and analysis of Great Lakes samples, including fish, plankton, and organisms that live along the bottom (benthos). They also get to join the crew and help raise the sails! We offer three Schoolship programs each designed for different age groups.
ROV Engineer and Explore
Grades 4-12
How can we use technology to learn about and protect the Great Lakes? Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROV) are underwater robots that enable researchers and industry professionals to assess underwater areas that were once unreachable or too dangerous for human access. When you bring your class to participate in our ROV Engineer & Explore Program, students learn to collaborate in teams to design and build an ROV to complete specific missions. Through this program, they engage with engineering practices, learn how technology can help us observe and protect the Great Lakes, and gain exposure to career paths in marine technology and freshwater protection.
Watershed Exploration
Grades 4-12
What is a watershed and what is the relationship between land and the Great Lakes? Expand your group’s Great Lakes knowledge and experience by participating in our land-based watershed programs. These STEM programs focus on protecting the Great Lakes by understanding watersheds and the relationship between land and water, exposing youth to Great Lakes careers, and gaining experience with technology and skills used in the field. We offer four programs designed for different age groups that each focus on different aspects of watersheds.
Dorm Accommodations
Coming from a distance? Want to extend your stay?
We have four dormitory rooms that can hold up to 36 people available on-site in Suttons Bay for schools to book before, during, and after their programming. Our convenient location in downtown Suttons Bay puts you within walking distance of several restaurants, a grocery store, and other local shops. Choose to participate in multiple programs with us or make us your home base and visit other noteworthy locations in Leelanau County. We hope you will consider extending your stay with us!
Scholarships
Inland Seas offers scholarships to help schools participate in our enriching, hands-on field trips. Scholarships are assigned on an as-needed basis. If you are interested in requesting a scholarship, please click the button below for more information and to access the application.
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FAQs
Where do the programs take place?
Schoolship
Schooner Inland Seas sails out of Suttons Bay. Groups meet at the Thomas M. Kelly Biological Station – 100 Dame St., Suttons Bay, MI 49682.
Schooner Alliance sails out of Discovery Pier in Traverse City. Groups meet at Discovery Pier – 13271 S W Bay Shore Drive, Traverse City, MI 49684.
ROV Engineer & Explore
Discovery Pier – 13271 S W Bay Shore Drive, Traverse City, MI 49684
Watershed Exploration
All programs meet in Suttons Bay at the Thomas M. Kelly Biological Station – 100 Dame St., Suttons Bay, MI 49682. Watershed Watchers and Study the Stream involve a 10-15 minute walk from the Biological Station down the Leelanau Trail to Leo Creek Nature Preserve.
When are the programs available?
Schoolship
Spring session: May through early June
Fall session: September through early October
ROV Engineer & Explore
Spring session: May through early June
Fall session: September through early October
Watershed Exploration
Spring session: March through early April
Fall session: Mid-October through mid-November
What is the cost?
Schoolship $825
ROV Engineer & Explore $300
Watershed Exploration $300
Our programs are generously supported by individual donors and foundations who subsidize the remaining cost.
We have scholarships available that are assigned on an as-needed basis. If you are interested in requesting a scholarship, please reach out to School Partnership Coordinator, Julie Johnson, at JJohnson@schoolship.org.
How long are the programs?
Schoolship
Early Elementary (2.75 hours) – 9:00 AM – 11:45 AM; 1:15 PM – 4:00 PM
Next Gen (3.5 hours) – 9:00 AM – 12:30 PM; 1:15 PM – 4:45 PM
Diving Deeper (4 hours) – 8:30 AM – 12:30 PM; 1:15 PM – 5:15 PM
ROV Engineer & Explore
All programs (2.5 hours) – 9:15 AM – 11:45 AM; 1:45 PM – 4:15 PM
Watershed Exploration
All programs (3 hours) – You choose whether to start at 9:00 AM, 10:00 AM, or 1:00 PM.
How do I register?
You can fully register for programs online using our registration platform – Fareharbor.
- Go to our live calendar that displays our real-time availability.
- Use the arrows to navigate to the correct month. Open program slots are visible on the calendar.
- Click on the program you’d like to register for.
*Note for Schoolship: You might have an option between our two vessels – schooner Inland Seas or Alliance. The main difference between the two are their locations (Inland Seas sails out of Suttons Bay, Alliance sails out of Discovery Pier in Traverse City) and the passenger capacity (max. of 32 on Inland Seas, max. of 35 on Alliance). - Input information about your school and student group.
- Select your program.
- Acknowledge the cancellation policy and pay a deposit to reserve your spot.
- You’re all set! You’ll receive a confirmation email and an ISEA staff member will be in touch within a few weeks of registering.
What is your cancellation policy?
Payment in full is due 30 days before departure or at the time of reservation if less than 30 days. If cancellation occurs 31 days or more prior to the program start date, you will receive a full refund of any payment less the non-refundable deposit. If cancellation occurs 15-30 days prior to departure you will receive a 50% refund less the non-refundable deposit. If cancellation occurs 14 days or less before the departure date a refund will not be administered.
The captain of the vessel shall determine the circumstances under which the vessel will sail, rules of conduct, and other matters aboard the ship.
If Inland Seas Education Association cancels a program, you may reschedule (schedule permitting) or receive a refund for the entire fee.
Do programs still run when the weather is bad?
For the most part – yes. Programs will run as normal in rain, wind, or snow. We will delay or cancel programming for thunder and lightning. During Schoolship programs, the captain of the vessel will determine whether it is safe to sail.
We have rain jackets available for all participants on the ship. However, it’s a good idea to have extra layers because the temperature typically feels about 10 degrees cooler out on the water than it does on land. Please encourage your students to dress appropriately!
Can we bring backpacks, water bottles, cell phones, and other personal items?
Your group is welcome to bring backpacks and other items – there is a safe place to store these items for every program. Cell phones and other technology should be stowed away during programming to minimize the risk of damage or “phone overboard” situations. Water bottles and extra layers are encouraged. ISEA is not responsible for lost or damaged items.
How do I prepare for our field trip?
Questions?
Please contact our School Partnership Coordinator, Julie Johnson at JJohnson@schoolship.org or (231) 271-3077 ext. 107.