Support OceanQuest

"This was the best field trip I have ever been on!" Eric, a 6th grader, made this comment after his class participated on an OceanQuest Discovery Cruise. A 10th grade teacher from New Bedford remarked, "The students were quite impressed with what they had learned and I was impressed with what they retained. They then wrote in their journals…it was the best writing they've done al year."

These are the comments OceanQuest staff hear over and over from students, teachers and the general public. Providing meaningful, hands-on experiences is the heart of OceanQuest and the reason it was founded in 1993. In order to continue providing these experiences OceanQuest needs your help. Understanding the financial stresses on school districts and families OceanQuest is reluctant to raise fees. However, as a private non-profit organization, OceanQuest can only carry out this stewardship role if it raises money beyond its fees to meet increasing costs. OceanQuest depends on grants, and the generosity of people like you to continue providing the highest quality marine education. Donations keep costs affordable.

OceanQuest is committed to the mission of educating the public on the importance of global marine conservation. OceanQuest now provides programming on-land and at-sea to more than 10,000 students, teachers and families each year. This is great news for the future of our oceans! Shore based programs are vital in reaching those who are unable to participate at-sea. A quote comes to mind when OceanQuest enters the classroom or field, "the important thing in science is not so much to obtain new facts, as to discover new ways of thinking about them." (Author unknown) This is the driving force behind each program.

The growth in program demand and the increased costs of implementing these programs is the reason OceanQuest asks for additional support. Education is not just providing answers but asking questions and providing experiences that open the mind to inquiry. What if no one asked?

• Why are some protected fish stocks still not recovering?


• What will the climate be like in twenty-five years?


• Can we predict and control red tides?


• Why is the ocean salty?

OceanQuest provides the tools to enable the audience to seek answers to these questions and many more. If you believe these questions are important, please take the time to support our mission. Please help OceanQuest continue to provide "the best field trip" to more kids like Eric.

Please click the Donate Button to send a secure online donation using your Credit Card or PayPal Account. Or mail your tax-deductible donation to: OceanQuest, PO Box 1450, E. Dennis, MA 02641

The OceanQuest FID # 22-3229183 for your records.

Read more comments

Teachers

1. Well organized. Material very clear and activities interesting for applications with students when doing oceanographic studies aboard the Blue Seas II. Terrific! Kathleen was knowledgeable and engaging-great. Sara was terrific-cheerful, informative, engaging.

2. Presenter had materials, program and agenda well prepared. Obviously had spent much time and thought in preparation. …Excellent job keeping students "on-task"

3. The quality of materials, the boat activity, and the expertise of the presenter (Kathy) - Great! It was always interesting. I feel I really will be able to use the activities presented with my class. The research vessel was an awesome adventure.

4. The varied materials to show aspects of ocean unit, which we could use, were great. Kathy is a wealth of info and ideas. Classroom "friendly"

5. Excellent, excellent, excellent! I have tried other floating classrooms, and I feel there's no comparison. All marine educators should check this program out!

6. ...The crew received rave reviews...they (students) were quite impressed with what they had learned and I was impressed with what they retained, especially details…They wrote in their journals…it was the best writing they've done all year.

Students/ Parents

1. Reinforced my understanding of the life cycle process. It was very fun and I learned a lot. I loved the trip and I want to do it again but I want to be out longer.

2. My child went on the Argia, out of Mystic, and found this trip more interesting and much more fun. Sara was great, and the hands-on projects were fun.

3...She encouraged our children to participate and made them very comfortable. We learned a lot in a very short period of time. We're looking forward to more.

4. Our second year and we love it! Kyle is 6 and he remembered most everything from his first trip! Keep it up. This is a very good program to get young and old familiar with marine science and its importance and how much fun it is.

5. Terrific program - keep up the good work! Very interesting and educational "hands-on" activities that were very motivational for the young children aboard and prompted questions that were answered at a level they could easily understand. The (cruise) was a learning experience for the adults also.

Thank you for your support!