Tall Ship Niagara to Take Students on Exceptional Field Experience

PUT-IN-BAY – Students interested in environmental science and policy have a unique opportunity for a summer class: a three-week trip across the Great Lakes on the tall ship Brig Niagara, a replica of Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry’s flagship from the Battle of Lake Erie during the War of 1812. The course, which is offered as a partnership between Ohio State University’s Stone Laboratory, Niagara University, and Penn State University, will introduce students to hands-on lake science and Great Lakes policy issues while allowing them to experience life aboard an authentic wooden naval warship.
On the voyage, students will stop at ports of call in Michigan, Ohio, and Pennsylvania, including a two-day stay at Stone Laboratory. Much of the course includes sailing the ship, water sampling, fish trawling and dissections, and a general close-up on how lake science and ship handling works. Class discussions will expand students’ knowledge of current issues facing the Great Lakes, as well as apply newly learned materials to concerns about Great Lakes environmental policy.
While previous sailing experience is not required, students will be expected to help sail the ship (within their level of comfort). According to course instructor Dr. Bill Edwards, few people have the opportunity to challenge themselves in such a unique environment, and participants in previous years have come away from the trip with newly learned self-confidence, along with valuable lessons in teamwork, leadership, discipline, and communication.
Students from any college or university are welcome to apply for this three-week field experience, running from July 11-31. Stone Laboratory will be offering OSU course credit for EEOB 3189: Field Experience for undergraduate students and EEOB 5189: Field Work for graduate students.
For detailed information, contact Matt Thomas, Stone Lab Manager, at thomas.347@osu.edu, or Bill Edwards, Niagara University Associate Professor of Biology, at wje@niagara.edu.
The application deadline is March 19. Interested students should apply at stonelab.osu.edu/applynow. A course flyer is attached to this email.