SUTTONS BAY TALLSHIP FIELD GUIDE
From Classroom to Main Deck: Students Turn Scientists Aboard the Schooner Inland Seas
A four-hour Schoolship program out of Suttons Bay that puts students to work collecting and analyzing Great Lakes samples — this guide explains what to expect and how to plan.
From Classroom to Main Deck: Students Turn Scientists Aboard the Schooner Inland Seas.
Inland Seas Education Association’s Schoolship programs pair the romance of a tall‑ship schooner with hands‑on Great Lakes science. Over a four‑hour sail from Suttons Bay, students become scientists for the day, assisting volunteer instructors in the collection and analysis of fish, plankton and benthic organisms while building awareness and stewardship for the lakes.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
Sailing aboard a tall‑ship schooner
The Schoolship experience unfolds on a classic tall‑ship schooner operated by Inland Seas, an environment that combines seamanship with science and places students on deck where learning is physical and immediate.
Hands‑on sampling and analysis
Students assist seasoned volunteer instructors with collecting and analyzing Great Lakes samples — from plankton and fish to benthic organisms — turning observation into curriculum‑aligned field science.
Curriculum modules that fit classroom goals
Programs aboard Inland Seas include NextGen – Microplastics, NextGen – Seamanship and Diving Deeper, designed to tie practical shipboard tasks to classroom learning and stewardship outcomes.
What the day feels like
What the day feels like
The rhythm of a Schoolship day is compact and purposeful: a four‑hour outing in which students board the schooner, take their stations, deploy nets and sampling gear under the guidance of volunteer instructors, then work through basic analysis and discussion that connects what they’ve collected to Great Lakes ecology and stewardship.
THE VESSEL
Sailing aboard a tall‑ship schooner
The Schoolship experience unfolds on a classic tall‑ship schooner operated by Inland Seas, an environment that combines seamanship with science and places students on deck where learning is physical and immediate.
THE SCIENCE
Hands‑on sampling and analysis
Students assist seasoned volunteer instructors with collecting and analyzing Great Lakes samples — from plankton and fish to benthic organisms — turning observation into curriculum‑aligned field science.
THE PROGRAMS
Curriculum modules that fit classroom goals
Programs aboard Inland Seas include NextGen – Microplastics, NextGen – Seamanship and Diving Deeper, designed to tie practical shipboard tasks to classroom learning and stewardship outcomes.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who this trip is best for — and who should plan accordingly.
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
Schoolship programs are four‑hour experiences aboard the schooner Inland Seas.
Schooner Inland Seas sails from Suttons Bay in Northern Michigan.
Refer to the operator’s program descriptions for recommended items and any program‑specific guidance: https://schoolship.org/school-field-trip/
The total cost is $825; a $100 non‑refundable deposit reserves a date and the remaining balance is due 30 days prior to the sail.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
How long is a Schoolship program?
Schoolship programs are four‑hour experiences aboard the schooner.
Where does the schooner depart from?
Schooner Inland Seas sails from Suttons Bay in Northern Michigan.
How many students can the schooner accommodate?
The schooner can accommodate up to 32 passengers.
What programs are offered aboard Inland Seas?
Programs offered include NextGen – Microplastics, NextGen – Seamanship and Diving Deeper.
What does booking and payment involve?
The total cost of a Schoolship experience is $825; a $100 non‑refundable deposit will reserve a date and the remaining balance is due 30 days prior to the sail.