Two local teens to set sail with the Shedd Aquarium
Living, eating, sleeping, working and doing scientific research on at 134 foot schooner - it's a dream come true for two local high school students and soon to be a reality.
Bridgette Drummond from St. Charles North High School and Ryan Kennedy from Dundee Crown High School were picked to be part of a team of 16 high school students from across the state to participate in the Shedd Aquarium's High School Lake Ecology program.
The group sets sail today, Aug. 3, from Discovery World at Pier Wisconsin in Milwaukee. They will spend seven days on the schooner, called the Dennis Sullivan, working with three Shedd educators learning about the lake's ecosystems and plotting their sailing course.
As the trip progresses the students will become more actively involved in trip decisions, eventually deciding where the schooner will go and working to maintain the Dennis Sullivan's everyday operations.
Over 80 high-schoolers filled out the joint application for the Shedd's High School Lake Ecology and Marine Biology programs. The High School Marine Biology program ran from July 10 to 16. Students in that program traveled to the Shedd's research lab in the Bahamas.
Students selected for the Lake Ecology program will be staying a bit closer to home but will still benefit from what promises to be an eye-opening learning experience.
All student applicants must have a least one year of high school under their belt. The youngest students will be those entering their sophomore year of high school, the oldest will be seniors who have just graduated this year.
"In terms of experiences that help develop self confidence and leadership skills, working on a ship is among the best in teaching an individual to be accountable for their own decisions and think on their toes. It's a great area for people to challenge themselves and learn a lot more about themselves," said Colby Mitchell, director of community and mentor programs at the Shedd.
"I'm very excited and thrilled at the opportunity ... I really like everyone, it's nice to be around other kids who like science as much as I do," 17-year-old Bridgette Drummond said.
Drummond has always loved science and intends to study biology in college. She hopes after completing the Lake Ecology program she will have a better idea of what science field she wants to enter.
The students will be providing Twitter updates as their trip progresses. Interested users can log on to Twitter and follow them @shedd_aquarium.