What age groups can participate in Watershed Exploration programs?

Programs are designed for a wide range of ages, from school groups to adults interested in hands-on STEM learning.

Are Watershed Exploration trips accessible?

Yes, activities involve light walking and are adaptable to accommodate different physical abilities.

Do I need prior scientific knowledge?

No prior experience is required; programs are beginner-friendly and focus on practical learning.

Are programs offered year-round?

Programs are seasonal, with most educational activities occurring from spring through fall due to weather conditions.

Is transportation provided to sampling sites?

Some programs include transportation options, but it varies; check with Watershed Exploration for specific trip details.

Can groups customize their educational experience?

Yes, Watershed Exploration offers flexible options tailored to group interests and educational goals.

Great Lakes STEM Water Activities with Watershed Exploration | Museum | Water Activities

Located in Suttons Bay, Michigan, Watershed Exploration offers immersive educational adventures centered around the Great Lakes' watershed. This region, renowned for its sprawling freshwater system and unique ecosystems, serves as the perfect natural classroom. At Watershed Exploration, participants engage in hands-on STEM programs that illuminate the complex relationships between land, water, and living organisms in this vital watery realm.

The Great Lakes watershed covers vast terrain, including rivers, wetlands, and coastal areas that sustain diverse aquatic and terrestrial life. The Inland Seas Education Association, behind Watershed Exploration, crafts each program to deepen understanding of environmental science, focusing on water quality, aquatic habitats, and conservation principles. From water sampling on the pristine Lake Michigan shore to studying native species, these programs reveal both the beauty and fragility of the Great Lakes environment.

What distinguishes Watershed Exploration is its blend of rigorous scientific methods with accessible and adaptable learning experiences. Whether school groups or outdoor enthusiasts participate, the flexible curriculum meets varied educational needs, fostering environmental stewardship and inspiring future careers in science and conservation.

Suttons Bay is a gateway to the northern Michigan outdoors, offering majestic vistas and a connection to fresh water that has shaped local culture. This area’s unique combination of cool-water ecosystems, limestone bedrock, and seasonal bloom of native wildflowers create a dynamic backdrop for educational adventure.

Watershed Exploration's guided programs make complex environmental topics tangible and engaging in an accessible setting. This makes it a standout destination to learn about one of North America’s largest freshwater resources, bridging science, community, and adventure where the Great Lakes come to life.

About Inland Seas Education Association

Inland Seas Education Association provides immersive Great Lakes education through hands-on sailing trips, STEM programs, and group lodging. Operating historic tall ships including the 105' schooner Alliance and the 77' schooner Inland Seas, the organization delivers public sails, schoolship science expeditions, night sky cruises, and watershed exploration programs that connect participants with lake ecology.

Programs offered include Schoolship registration aboard both Alliance and Inland Seas, four-hour student research cruises where learners collect and analyze aquatic samples, and fisheries netting sails that support Michigan DNR research. The ROV Engineer and Explore program guides students to design, build, and operate remotely operated vehicles, blending engineering practice with marine stewardship. Public experiences include Night Sail events in Traverse City and Suttons Bay and Schooner Showcase sails that place guests among majestic tall ships on Grand Traverse Bay. For residential groups, dormitory lodging at the Capt. Thomas M. Kelly Biological Station accommodates up to 12 guests in a quiet Suttons Bay setting.

The organization emphasizes curriculum-aligned lessons, certified instructors, and partnerships with regional researchers to ensure educational rigor and safety. By combining authentic sailing with hands-on science, Inland Seas Education Association fosters environmental stewardship, inspires future scientists and mariners, and offers repeatable programs tailored to school groups, families, and adult learners.

Participants can expect professional crew, clearly defined learning objectives, and opportunities to contribute real data to regional research efforts.