From sailing, to surfing, to marine science, attendees of The Watersports Camp have always enjoyed experiential and inquiry based learning in all of our camps. This summer, we are particularly excited to incorporate science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) components into our sailing and afternoon multi-sport camp curriculum.
In our sailing instructional camps, US Sailing’s STEM-friendly Reach curriculum will blend daily sailing with investigating the forces at work in and around the boat. Afternoon multi-sport campers will benefit from hands-on experiential learning and exposure to STEM concepts on their sailing and marine science afternoon, all while enjoying the same programming centered on fun that defines The Watersports Camp.
MBAC Assistant Director, Kevin Waldick, believes that expanding camp’s fun and exciting programming to serve as a vehicle for inspiring interest in science, technology, engineering and math is a no-brainer (pun intended?).
“STEM concepts have always been included as a huge part of learning to sail, surf, or do any watersport,” says Waldick. “What Reach is enabling us to do is to is helping apply what kids traditionally learn in books to real world experiences that they can really connect with.”
Reach is a US Sailing national education initiative to inspire sailing programs and schools to utilize sailing as a STEM educational platform. MBAC will be piloting a classroom visit/on-the- water Reach program this fall to benefit the community and create new avenues for youth sailing participation. The program will consist of 5-6 classroom visits culminating in a field trip to MBAC for on-the-water sailing instruction. For information on how your classroom can participate in the pilot program email MBAC Assistant Director, Kevin Waldick, at kw******@ma**.edu.