Who is eligible to participate?

Middle school students in grades 6–8 from the metro New Orleans area; the program is targeted to this age range.

How much does the program cost?

The ten-session course is offered free thanks to local and national foundation support.

When and where do classes meet?

Classes meet on Tuesdays from 4:30–7:00pm during the fall months (September through November) with on-water launches from Lake Pontchartrain.

What happens if weather cancels sailing?

On-water activities may be canceled for safety, but shore-based labs and design work typically continue that day.

Is prior sailing experience required?

No prior experience is required; instructors teach basics and provide supervised on-water practice.

Will there be a final event or competition?

Yes — the program culminates in a community sailing regatta where teams race their designs and showcase what they learned.

Lake Pontchartrain STEM Design + Build + Sail — Free Middle School Sailing Program in New Orleans

On the broad, wind-scoured rim of Lake Pontchartrain, just north of New Orleans, STEM Design Build Sail turns middle-school curiosity into salty, hands-on learning. This free, ten-week program for grades 6–8 combines classroom-tested STEM lessons with practical seamanship: students meet Tuesdays from 4:30–7:00pm in the fall (September through November) to study buoyancy, aerodynamics, navigation, and environmental science, then carry those lessons onto small sailboats for real-world testing. Over ten sessions, participants move from theory to practice. Onshore workshops introduce boat anatomy, mass and displacement, and model design, then teams build and test miniature hulls before launching their prototypes. In the water, instructors lead safety briefings, teach fundamental points of sail, and guide hands-on experiments that make abstract concepts tangible - measuring lift on a sail, plotting wind shifts, and observing how Lake Pontchartrain’s brackish water and shallow bathymetry affect buoyancy and handling. The course culminates in a community regatta where teams race their designs and apply navigation and teamwork skills in a friendly competition. What makes this program distinct is its combination of place-based science and practical skill. Lake Pontchartrain is not a deep ocean; it behaves like a coastal lagoon with marsh fringes and oyster beds that influence currents and ecology. That local specificity becomes a lab: students study watershed impacts, wind-driven currents, and how human activity shapes the lake’s health. The program’s alignment with national math and science standards means parents and teachers see curricular value, while students get the chance to translate classroom concepts into visible outcomes on the water. Safety and accessibility are central. Classes include thorough safety briefings, life-jacket instruction, and supervised on-water practice with experienced leaders. Because the program is offered free through foundation support, it opens doors for young learners across the New Orleans metro area. Instruction is delivered by certified sailing educators and STEM specialists who adapt lessons to changing weather and learning styles. Small coach-to-student ratios keep skills development hands-on: participants practice knot-tying, basic chart reading, and simple on-board measurements that feed directly into their design projects. Parents can expect progress reports after the regatta and occasional open-house demos where family members watch model tests and on-water drills. The program also partners with local schools to reinforce classroom units and offers follow-up opportunities for older students to mentor new cohorts. Families and educators should note logistical details: the sessions run weekly in the fall and require punctual drop-offs and pick-ups; weather can rearrange on-water plans, but shore-based labs usually continue. For aspiring young engineers, sailors, or environmental stewards, STEM Design Build Sail offers a rare blend of technical learning and outdoor adventure that connects scientific principles to a real coastal landscape. It’s an invitation to understand wind and water by feeling them, building something that floats, and seeing the immediate results of design choices on Lake Pontchartrain.

About Community Sailing New Orleans

Community Sailing New Orleans delivers accessible sailing education and community-focused programs on Lake Pontchartrain in New Orleans, Louisiana. The organization offers expert-led experiences for adults, youth, women, and veterans, using stable keelboats and dinghies to teach practical seamanship, safety, and navigation.

Programs include Adult Learn to Sail, Women In the Wind clinics, the three-year Crew to Captain sequence (Year One, Year Two, Year Three), a middle-school STEM Design Build Sail series, and the Tolmas Veteran Sailing course. Curricula cover knots, rigging, small-boat handling, racing fundamentals, and boat maintenance. High school participants earn boating licenses and industry-guided certifications while gaining leadership and STEM skills.

Classes emphasize hands-on learning, lake stewardship, and instructor mentorship. Sessions are suitable for beginners through advancing sailors and focus on confidence-building, teamwork, and safe on-water decision-making. Veteran and active military participants can access a free 10-hour Tolmas Veteran Sailing course delivered across five weekend sessions.

Community Sailing New Orleans partners with local schools and maritime mentors to create pathways to maritime careers and recreational sailing. Safety protocols, certified instructors, and stable training boats reduce risk and improve learning outcomes. The organization’s programs are practical for students, adult newcomers, and individuals seeking structured training for racing or certification.

Featured on The Adventure Collective, Community Sailing New Orleans is recognized for community impact and inclusive programming. For residents and visitors to New Orleans, the organization provides structured, credible sailing instruction and opportunities to explore Lake Pontchartrain with experienced guidance. Registration and schedules are available online, by phone, and email.