The Hebron Project is contributing more than $400,000 to support a Coastal Connections pioneering ocean education program for students in the K-12 school system. The Hebron Project Coastal Explorers Field Program for Schools will operate from Terra Nova National Park and the Marine Institute's Holyrood Marine Base.

The Hebron contribution will be used to acquire new ocean technologies to be used in the existing floating classroom program; to expand the program to accommodate 20 additional schools in 2011-2012; and to pilot a Summer Teachers Institute.

The program is a partnership with Parks Canada, the Marine Institute, and the provincial government departments of Education, Environment and Conservation and Fisheries and Aquaculture.

The Floating Classroom

The floating classroom is a 42-foot inshore tour and research vessel, named the M/V Coastal Explorer. The program enables students to learn more about the coastal and ocean environment and to develop basic skills in the collection of oceanographic, meteorological and biological data. Using state-of-the-art scientific equipment, students learn how to measure water temperature, salinity and pH, record weather conditions and identify a variety of marine species and habitats. Students are also given an introduction to basic coastal navigation along with seafaring and boating safety skills.

Captain Jan Negrijn, established the 'floating classroom' program to address the gap in ocean-related education in schools, particularly as it relates to the marine and coastal ecosystems of Newfoundland and Labrador. This innovative, at-sea field program has been developed in collaboration with science teachers and curriculum specialists and is linked directly to the curriculum and learning outcomes in various science programs:biology, chemistry, mathematics, physics and geography.

For more information about the program, contact:
Captain Jan Negrijn
C: (709) 690-0814
E: jan@coastalconnections.ca