Texas A&M University/Texas Sea Grant’s Floating Classroom Program has helped nearly 11,000 Texans discover the wonders of the Gulf of Mexico’s waters and shores during its three years of operation. Most of those choosing to immerse themselves in this hands-on coastal exploration have been 4th through 12th grade students and their teachers from across the state.

Homeported in the historic village of Matagorda, the Floating Classroom Program offers a diverse array of interactive learning experiences that challenge participants to engage their five senses as key investigative tools and thereby hone their critical thinking skills. Its standard five-hour youth-centered education program is equally divided between a discovery cruise and an attractive selection of shoreside activities.

The investigative voyage is designed to encounter firsthand the living and non-living resources that combine to make the Texas coast such a dynamic and alluring region of the state. While the landside engagements are meticulously crafted to notably enhance their understanding of marine environments and enterprises.

According to Willie Younger, director of this coastal learning adventure, “Coastal outdoors represents an extra-ordinary campus in which to heighten an individual’s awareness and appreciation for the sciences, economies and cultures that are associated with the planet’s water realms. Our dedicated staff of marine educators is well practiced at getting youth and adults interested in and involved with spellbinding coastal phenomena. This is true whether they are exploring aboard the scientifically equipped teaching vessel or in accommodating near shore settings.

In fact, we have seen very few individuals leave this experience without a much greater sense of awe regarding the delicate relationship and unbreakable bond that exists between humankind and the ocean.”

Younger went on to describe a typical day in which Floating Classroom Program clients collect and examine marine life specimens using a plankton net, shrimp trawl and bottom mud grab or evaluate telling facets of water quality abroad the 57-foot Research Vessel Karma using modern scientific equipment and methods. While cruising the coastal waters the shipboard instructors keep a watchful eye out for teachable moments presented by special events or happenings. This can occur as the guests observe the beehive of barge activity along the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway or the large fleet of recreational boats darting in and out of Matagorda Harbor (or current host port). This gives these outreach educators the opportunity to emphasize the irreplaceable contributions made to our economy by barge shipping along the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway or recreational uses of our coastal waters. More importantly, he revealed that participants become aware more of the extent that coastal commerce personally affects their lives.

He explained that, “At shoreside most students groups opt to complement their seafaring investigations with a series of fun laboratory experiments and science demonstrations carried out at the handsome learning pavilion provided by the Port of Bay City. However, those not hindered by exacting travel schedules or the fact they will probably end up both wet and wowed, often choose to round out their day with either an intimate guided tour of the salt marshes or an eye opening study of the beach, dunes and surf zone.”

This multi-faceted field study program is open to school groups and youth organizations including, but not necessarily limited to, public and private schools, home school associations, scouts, Boys & Girls Clubs, YMCA’s and 4-H. Teachers and 4-H leaders (agents and adult volunteers) are invited to participate in special three-day training workshops offered during the summer. In addition, volunteers are periodically trained to provide assistance in the development and delivery of Floating Classroom Program marine education activities, as well as those of coastal chapters of the Texas Master Naturalist Program. Generous grants and gifts have made it possible for most groups to apply for and receive a scholarship that substantially reduces their cost of attending while helping cover the costs of operation. The amount awarded is dependent upon the funds available and their demonstrated need for such financial assistance.

A new offering of this University-sponsored outreach program is the opportunity for businesses and organizations to book half-day discovery cruises aboard the Karma. Often this professionally led experience complements the leadership development goals of these adult interest groups by equipping them with the knowledge needed to make sounder more enduring decisions that are related to the use and management of our coastal/marine resources. Sometimes corporations look at it as a unique and exciting way to entertain business clients or reward employees.

On the first Saturday of each month, the general public can partake of this “close encounter” with the salty wonders of the Mid-Coast through two-a-day sea life discovery cruises. These special 2¼-hour outings depart Matagorda Harbor at 9:30 a.m. and 1:15 p.m. respectively. Walk-ons are welcomed, but reservations are strongly recommended, as space is limited.

To learn more about Texas Sea Grant, visit: http://texas-sea-grant.tamu.edu/

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