Michigan educators bring back rich memories, experiences from Shipboard Science Immersion on Lake Michigan
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EmailBoth encourage others to apply for next year’s Lake Superior immersion program.
As summer fades away, the memories of being on board the RV Lake Guardian remain strong for two Michigan educators. Their week-long Shipboard Science Immersion program in July gave them the opportunity to sail on Lake Michigan and work alongside scientists gathering samples and analyzing data.
Ashley Community Schools teacher Deann Smith recounts the early morning sessions to draw water samples – starting at 2 a.m. “Luckily it was our first night on board, so it wasn’t that hard because we were still so excited about the trip,” she said. “Seeing the water from that vantage point made you realize how big the lake was. You feel small when you are in a space that is so big, but it was calming.”
Smith is already planning to implement new ideas for her students this year. “I already do Salmon in the Classroom and there are some lessons that we learned on the ship that I will be able to use,” she said. “I learned more about water testing and I’m exploring ways to do water testing in my classroom. Also, I think our students would really like to learn about possible maritime careers.”
One memory that stands out for Smith is that “the sunsets were amazing. Coming into Sturgeon Bay the sun was just setting and it was breathtaking. The deer were on the shore and there were pelicans! It surprised me to see them.” 
For Erika Van Kirk, a Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge park ranger, who has done sampling for adult fish before, it was eye-opening to sample for tiny larval fish and the food they eat, zooplankton. She plans to incorporate more sampling for younger fish and zooplankton into her educational programs. “I spend a lot of time studying adult fish, but there’s something remarkable about seeing the same species at the size of a fingernail – and even more so, observing microscopic creatures that sustain them. It’s a powerful reminder that life is built from the smallest parts, and everything is connected,” she said.
Like Smith, she also did her share of late-night sampling. “Since larval fish are moved by currents through the water column the best time to sample for them was at night. There’s nothing quite like being jolted awake in the middle of the night, throwing on a hard hat, and heading to the deck to help collect larval fish under a moonlit sky, she said. “Exhaustion fades quickly when you’re part of real scientific discovery, every tow of the net holds the potential to reveal something extraordinary.”
Hear more from the educators
Read more about the experiences of the 15 educators in a 2025 Shipboard Science Immersion on Lake Michigan story map that shares highlights from the trip and additional photos, too.
The Shipboard Immersion is made possible through a partnership with the EPA Great Lakes National Program Office, NOAA, and with funding from the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative. CGLL partners Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant and Wisconsin Sea Grant, both part of the NOAA-National Sea Grant network of 34 university-based programs, selected and hosted the 15 educators on the experience.
Next year – Lake Superior!
The R/V Lake Guardian science program rotates through all five of the Great Lakes. In 2026, it is anticipated to be sailing on Lake Superior. Both Smith and Van Kirk encourage other educators to apply for next year’s expedition. “Touring a science vessel is one thing — it’s informative, thought-provoking, and certainly interesting. But spending a week living, working, and learning on board alongside fellow educators is an entirely different experience," said Van Kirk. "If you're seeking a truly unique and unforgettable opportunity to engage with science in action, this is it.”
Michigan Sea Grant helps to foster economic growth and protect Michigan’s coastal, Great Lakes resources through education, research and outreach. A collaborative effort of the University of Michigan and Michigan State University and its MSU Extension, Michigan Sea Grant is also part of the NOAA-National Sea Grant network of 34 university-based programs.
This article was prepared by Michigan Sea Grant under award NA24OARX417C0157-T1-01 from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce through the Regents of the University of Michigan. The statement, findings, conclusions, and recommendations are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the Department of Commerce, or the Regents of the University of Michigan.
