With our special onboard TIDAL POOL all students have hands on experience with live spider crabs, sea stars, and sea lettuce, while a marine educator teaches the facts and shows the physiological components of each species. Their habits, as well as their importance to the marine environment will be discussed. You and your students will learn about the flora and fauna that co-exist in a variety of marine environments.

Students will also make use of Plankton Tows, and Secci Disks to catch and examine plankton, the first link in almost every food chain. Students will tow these devices through the water, and once retrieved, will be delighted to discover that they have caught their own plankton! The marine educator will discuss the importance of this species, and their place in the world's food chain. Using individual microscopes each student will have an opportunity to visualize minute species.

An experienced lobster fisherperson will demonstrate the hauling of lobster gear, explaining the methods of this important and historic New England fishery. A lobster trap will be pulled on deck so the students can examine the construction and use of the traps. Lobsters, and the laws that govern the lobster industry will be explained and discussed.

Our U.S. Coast Guard licensed Captain will provide an overview of the "bridge" of the ship, the basics of marine navigation and chart plotting, and explain the functionality of all the sophisticated electronic equipment the Captain and crew use every day. Marine radar, depth finders, radio communication systems, and Loran/GPS units are just a few of the topics to be discussed. Students will be allowed on the bridge for a first-hand inspection.

If you are an educator looking to implement a hands-on marine biology excursion, put on a school field trip, you will find our Floating Classroom exciting.

For over 60 years, Capt. John Boats has been directly sharing and teaching people about the marine environment. We realize we are privileged to live near and work on the water. After all, the essence of New England is the ocean. It is what has been feeding us, and driving our economy since the days the Pilgrims landed. So a few years ago, we decided to create a program that focused exclusively on just Marine Environment Education.

Capt. John Boats conducts our "Floating Classroom" sessions separately from our Whale Watching, Deep Sea Fishing, and other activities. Please call or e-mail us for further information. See you onboard in the Floating Classroom!