Summary: Now you can take your students out on Lake Champlain! Work with scientists and educators at the Leahy Center for Lake Champlain to conduct scientific research aboard the University of Vermont's Research Vessel Melosira. This state-of-the-art boat is staffed by university researchers and professional educators, and is fully equipped to enable your students to conduct real lake studies. Students learn about current research and then apply scientific tools and techniques to collect their own data. Throughout this hands on experience, students will be challenged as they follow the scientific method, raise questions, and apply critical thinking skills in comparing data they collect to historic data.

Essential Question: How do scientists study Lake Champlain's complex ecosystem and environmental problems?

• What can we learn from studying aquatic plants and animals?
• Why is it important to keep track of long term trends in lake characteristics (for example, in water clarity, dissolved oxygen, temperature, plankton communities and zebra mussel populations)?
• How do scientists measure and track these characteristics?
• How do human activities affect the lake?

Vermont Standards:

Key Program Activities:

Consider combining your experience with a visit to ECHO Lake Aquarium and Science Center.
View ECHO education programs at www.echovermont.org/education.

Other options at the Rubenstein Ecosystem Science Laboratory: Rubenstein Laboratory Class: Keeping the Balance in Lake Champlain. Visit the UVM Watershed Alliance website for more information.

Details:
Trips will be scheduled on a first come, first serve basis from May through early October, weather permitting (trips may be rescheduled if openings exist).
Fee: $250 (~2 hour program) for a maximum of 22 participants including all chaperones and teachers
Grade Level**: High School (10:1 student to adult ratio), Junion High (8:1 student to adult ratio).

** Other interested groups may be accommodated. Please contact Bethany Hanna to inquire.

To register, contact Bethany Hanna at (802) 859-3086 ex 305 or bethany.hanna@uvm.edu

What to Bring: Wear comfortable, stable shoes, and dress warmly as conditions on the lake can be much different than those on land on any given day. Please remember motion sickness medicine if you require it. A camera and/or binoculars are nice to have. Other suggested items depending on the weather: sunglasses, sun hat, sunscreen, rain coat and hat.

The Patrick and Marcelle Leahy Center for Lake Champlain is a 2.2 acre campus at One College Street on the Burlington Waterfront recognizing Senator Patrick Leahy's lifelong dedication to the stewardship of the Lake Champlain Basin. The Leahy Center is home to ECHO Lake Aquarium and Science Center, the University of Vermont's Rubenstein Ecosystem Science Laboratory, the Lake Champlain Basin Program Resource Room, Lake Champlain Sea Grant and Watershed Alliance, and the Lake Champlain Navy Memorial.