ALTMAR-PARISH-WILLIAMSTOWN CSD

APW seventh graders connect with NOAA scientists exploring Lake Ontario shipwrecks

Seventh grade students at Altmar-Parish-Williamstown Junior-Senior High School recently had an unforgettable learning experience as they joined a live virtual chat with National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) scientists aboard a research vessel currently stationed on Lake Ontario.

The team is conducting groundbreaking work in the newly designated Lake Ontario National Marine Sanctuary, a region off the coast of Oswego that is home to 63 documented shipwrecks and counting.

Blending science, history, and advanced technology, the mission focuses on exploring and mapping underwater shipwrecks using a compact remotely operated vehicle (ROV) provided by the University of Rhode Island (URI). It is ideal for navigating smaller wrecks and plays a vital role in accessing and documenting historic wrecks resting at depths too dangerous for human divers.

The live video chat gave students a window into the high-tech world of underwater archaeology and marine research. They learned about the scientific process, the specialized training required for the job and what daily life looks like aboard a research vessel.

Members of the NOAA team who joined the virtual session from the ship included: Holly Pettus, Deputy Expedition Lead; Jason Fahy, Expedition Leader; Marley Parker, Science Communications, Documentarian and Photographer; Ben Ioset, Lead Scientist & Maritime Archaeologist; Dave Casagrande, ROV Lead; and Susanna Majkut, ROV Pilot & undergraduate student at URI.

In addition, APW students had the opportunity to speak in person with Cait Clemmer, Lake Ontario National Marine Sanctuary Advisory Council Coordinator and Honey Stempka, Designation Project Manager for the Proposed Lake Erie NMS.

"This kind of experience brings learning to life in a way that textbooks can’t," said APW JSHS science teacher Jessica Halsey. "We’re incredibly grateful to NOAA and their partners for taking the time to speak with our students and inspire the next generation of scientists and explorers."

To learn more about NOAA, visit their website here.