Lynn English teacher gets award from N.E. Aquarium

LYNN – English Science/Biology Teacher Joe Skahan is one of four recipients from all of New England to receive the 2010 Ocean Stewardship Award from the New England Aquarium.The award is given to teachers who “bring the ocean into the classroom” and educate their students through unique, hands-on learning experiences.In the spring of 2010, the aquarium officials asked teachers to send the ways they incorporated the ocean into the classroom for consideration for the award.Skahan decided to tell them about various ocean-related projects that he conducted with his students in hopes that they would stand out.?I received notification about winning the award in early September,” said Skahan. “My reaction was that it was a pretty awesome achievement. I wasn?t expecting to be picked, but knowing some of the projects we did I had hoped to stand out.”One of these projects was on the topic of buoyancy, during which students constructed boats out of found and recycled objects that could hold one person.Skahan decided to execute the idea after hearing about a man that built an island that floats on hundreds of two-liter bottles.?I thought, if that works, we can make boats,” said Skahan.Skahan and his students spent a few days researching man-made flotation and green flotation devices.Students then planned their ideas and decided what materials they were going to collect in order to construct the boat. Each class was broken into teams where students each had their own responsibilities, such as drafting designs, gathering materials, keeping a team log and building of the actual boat.?The kids had a blast building them,” said Skahan. “The look of relief and joy they had when they saw their ideas come to life was phenomenal. They truly grasped all the science concepts behind the project and applied them.”Other projects that Skahan has conducted include dissection of marine life, fish tagging, researching fisheries and survival suit races. Part of a final exam that Skahan gave consisted of students having a hands-on experience in local tide pools to find and identify local marine life, just as a biologist would.?I believe that it is extremely important to educate about the environment,” said Skahan. “We are very lucky where we live to be so close to the ocean and all that it has to offer. It is my hope that by learning to respect the environment around them, students will set the example for younger students.”