Free Harbor Education Trips Available for Schools

By Kim Kosko
All Hands on Deck Launches Opportunities for
Free Harbor Education School Programs  
Thanks to a grant from the New York-New Jersey Harbor Estuary Program and the NJ Department of Transportation’s Office of Maritime Resources, the New Jersey Marine Sciences Consortium/New Jersey Sea Grant’s (NJMSC/NJSG) harbor education program, All Hands on Deck (AHOD), will offer free programs during the 2009 school year to four New Jersey schools.  Since 2004, the AHOD program has served over 500 New Jersey students, offering them the unique opportunity to understand and appreciate both the human and natural dimensions of NY/NJ Harbor.
            The four selected New Jersey schools will receive a field trip to Sandy Hook, a tour of the New York/New Jersey Harbor aboard New York Water Taxi and an in-school presentation as part of the free program package.  Except for release time and student transportation to field trip sites, there will be no cost to schools or students. The activities are all geared toward informing students about the function and importance of ports and harbors as well as the vibrant urban estuary ecosystem.
“This grant will allow us to build on the past successes AHOD has had in educating NJ’s schoolchildren regarding our state’s role in ocean transportation and shipping.   The
three part program we are offering is far more comprehensive than anything else we’ve done before in harbor education.  We’re certain it will have long-lasting, positive effects in each of the four schools we will be working with” said Mindy Voss, NJMSC/NJSG’s Harbor Education Specialist.
           Schools must apply to receive consideration and submit a series of brief responses to specific questions related to how the program will benefit the participating students.  To learn more about the NJMSC/NJSG AHOD program or to apply for the free program, visit njmsc.org/K-12 Education or call Mindy Voss, NJMSC/NJSG’s Harbor Education Specialist at 732-872-1300, ext. 30.
            The New Jersey Marine Sciences Consortium/New Jersey Sea Grant is an affiliation of colleges, universities and other groups dedicated to advancing knowledge and stewardship of New Jersey’s marine and coastal environment.  NJMSC/NJSG meets its mission through its innovative research, education and outreach programs. For more information about NJMSC/NJSG, visit njmsc.org