MATAGORDA - The Marine Advisory Service of Texas A&M University Floating Classroom Program.
"As a school enrichment opportunity, this program is designed to immerse both students and their teachers in the hands-on investigation of the marine and coastal environments, natural resources and human enterprises which make up the Texas Gulf Coast," said William R. Younger, Texas Cooperative Extension marine education specialist.

This comprehensive approach to developing an understanding and appreciation for our oceans, their inshore waters and adjoining shores is divided into two sessions: a discovery cruise of Texas coastal waters aboard Texas A&M's 57-foot teaching vessel, the R/V Karma, and interactive involvement with a series of mini-lab units found at the nearby shoreside learning pavilion.

While onboard the R/V Karma, participants are guided through scientific inquiry exercises, which provide hands-on opportunities to use modern research equipment and techniques. This includes the collection and analysis of water samples, bottom sediment cores, and marine life.

The experiences and observations the students encounter on this investigative voyage are then amplified at the learning pavilion. These units cover over a dozen topics ranging from the properties of seawater to predator-prey relationships. These are self-guided, but facilitated by an staff naturalist.

Both the on-the-water and shoreside activities originate at the program's headquarters in the Port of Bay City Authority's harbor at Matagorda.

The Floating Classroom Program's partners are the Texas Sea Grant College Program and Texas Cooperative Extension. General information about the Floating School program can be found at the Floating School website.

Article about Floating Classroom Program from Texas A & M newsletter.
This article was written back in 2001, when the first Floating Classroom trip took its maiden voyage.

"Karma, a former shrimp boat given to Texas A&M, has been restored and outfitted to enable naturalists on board to collect samples for teaching either in shallow vats or a microscope that projects onto a television screen. Animals collected for the class are returned to the water after the lessons.

The goal, said Willie Younger, marine education specialist for Extension and Sea Grant, is to make the state's coastline seem relevant to students of all ages, even if they live far away from the Gulf.

"Whether they live in Lubbock, Amarillo, El Paso or any other place, what they do in their home communities does affect us down here on the coast," Younger said. "And what we do on the coast affects their lives."

..Younger invites schools and youth groups to contact him to schedule outings on Karma. He said any or all school subjects – from art to zoology – can be incorporated into the learning experiences on the boat while children experience the environment. "

A more recent article on the Floating School.

1.  The floating school is an "experience-rich" opportunity to learn marine biology, coastal and maritime history, water chemistry and quality, beach, dune and wetland ecology, and a variety of other topics.

2.  It is sponsored by the Texas Marine Advisory Service, an outreach program of the Texas Sea Grant College Program and Texas Cooperative Extension.  These are both components of the Texas A&M University System.

3.  The program is held in Matagorda Harbor, Matagorda, Texas.   This is about 50 miles south of Houston (probably from the south side of Houston).

4.  The program is 5 hours long starting at 9am.  You group will need to be there by 8:30am. There is typically a 2 to 2 1/2 hour investigative trip aboard the 57 foot R. V. (research vessel) Karma. Then there are several hands-on activities at the shoreside facility that re-enforce what was learned on the discovery cruse.  They also offer tests that can be given. 

5.  During the fall of 2002, 4 homeschool dates took place for  the Floating School Program:
   Since that time many other groups have attended. If you attended in the past, please email Susan with your comments.

If you want to have your kids mail a thank you  card:
Willam R Younger
Extension Marine Education Specialist
Floating Classroom Program
PO Box 1283
Palacious, TX 77645

There may be other trips booked in the future, check back with this section for updates.
If you are wlling to coordinate a trip, we can help you fill it through Taffie. Space is limited for each class, contact each coordinator to find out about space availability and payment arrangements.
There may be other trips booked in the future, check back with this section for updates.

If you have been notified to send in your payment, you need to do so by the payment deadline date that each coordinator has set or your family will be dropped from the sign up list in order that other families can be placed. So be sure to send in your payments in a timely manner once you have received notification that there is room for you in the class you are interested in attending so you don't lose your space.

6. All participants, both students and adults, will need to fill out permission slips related to the Floating School program. Those need to be sent to your coordinator/payment person prior to the date of the field trip.

7. No younger siblings are permitted on these trips.
Each coordinator sets the suggested grade level for their trip. Sometimes trips are for 4th grade and up, other times a coordinator will set up a date for jr high or high school students.
In all cases students no students younger than 4th grade are premitted.

If you have younger children, you can either make arrangements for the younger children or you can send your older children on the boat without you while you supervise your younger children and leave the area then pick them up at the end of the program.

8.  For 2003, there was a price increase but homeschool groups are eligible for an educational scholarship. For homeschool groups the program is $100 a day, no matter how many participants attend. If a date does not have the full enrollment, then the cost per person will go up. We want all children who wish to attend to have the opportunity to do so. If you are able to relinquish your spot for a child, please indicate that when signing up.

9.  There are no meals provided by the program. We will need to provide our own food.  Bring your own sack lunch for the lunch break during this program, you will not have time to drive to go out to eat for lunch..

10.  You will be able to leave your car in the same place all day. When not on the boat, activities take place nearby. Leave your lunches in the car until the lunch break.

11.  There is curriculum available, presumably upon receipt of the deposit. If a coordinator chooses, they can work out a plan for distribution. Please indicate to your coordinator if you wish to receive what is offered by the program and are willing to reimburse your coordinator for mailing and copy costs when you register. We will also post related resources at this website.

a. Contact William R. Younger or lbeach@neo.tamu.edu  or call Phone: 979/863-2940  to request an information package and ask which dates area open. Many school groups book these trips each year, so space will vary from month to month. Classes are for 4th-12th graders. Homeschool groups qualify for educational scholarships and can attend at a reduced rate.

c. For all new bookings, space is limited to no more than 54 people total including both adults and students. No students under 4th grade are permitted due to liability and safety issues. If you are interested in in spring date, book your trip now, dates are filling up with other school groups.

d. After the Floating School has received your deposit, you will be sent additional information about the program to help you plan your trip.

e. If you want others to know about your field trip, contact us to be added to this section to help get the word out about your class and you can also send announcements to taffie-announce@jsoft.com to let other homeschoolers know about your date.

Contact us if you have additional questions that have not been answered here.

Click here to go back to the main page for the Floating School.

Click here to go back to Taffie Field Trip Section

Last updated May 30, 2005 Copyright 2005 Susan Frederick