Programs:
Leveraging its newly unified waterfront campus and the expertise of its expanding team, ISEA will deliver deeper and more impactful learning experiences for a greater number of individuals, particularly K-12 youth. The enhanced facilities allow for expanded hands-on investigations, collaborative projects, and immersive activities that go beyond the limitations of current indoor capacity. This will enable ISEA to offer more comprehensive and engaging programs that foster a stronger connection to the Great Lakes and inspire lifelong stewardship in young learners.
Places:
The acquisition of a second schooner, Alliance, in 2023, has already increased on-water educational capacity. The gifting of the nine-acre Leo Creek Preserve enhances shoreside programming. Key properties north and south of ISEA’s Capt. Thomas M. Kelly Biological Station have been acquired, creating a cohesive, three-acre waterfront educational campus. The basement of the Millside Building on the north lot will house ISEA's vessel maintenance facility. The upper level will be renovated to include a multi-use educational space for ISEA's land-based Watershed Exploration programs, teacher professional development opportunities, volunteer training, donor events, and more.
People:
The campaign has already enabled ISEA to hire key personnel, including an additional ship captain, a first mate, a Great Lakes Educator, a Communications Coordinator, and a Detroit Liaison, to meet increasing programmatic needs. In 2024, ISEA conducted 321 place-based experiential education programs, reaching nearly 7,000 participants across its ships, campus, and local watersheds, with continued growth anticipated as new/updated facilities come on board.
To learn more about how you can support this campaign, visit schoolship.org/campaign or contact Fred Sitkins at 231-271-3077 x101 or fsitkins@schoolship.org.
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