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Shields students kick off ocean drifter experiment

October 21, 2016

Students at Richard A. Shields Elementary School participated in the official kick-off of a month-long ocean drifter experiment Oct. 12. Principal Jenny Nauman led two school assemblies to introduce the experiment.

With presentations by co-sponsors Dr. Gerhard Kuska of Mid-Atlantic Regional Association Coastal Ocean Observing System and Capt. Stuart Griffin of the Pilots’ Association for the Bay and River Delaware, students were introduced to ocean currents and the possibilities of tracking a drifter across the ocean.

The highlight of the assemblies certainly was the unveiling of the school’s own mini-boat. Plans include a naming contest for the boat, a design and painting contest, collection of items for stowage in the vessel and a test launching in Lewes waters before the boat is launched in the Mid-Atlantic Gulf Stream in mid-to late November. Students will learn about the ocean and its currents as they track the mini-boat online as it drifts across the Atlantic. The drifter comes from a company called Educational Passages that has completed this project with schools across the country. Organizers thank their local sponsors and the Shields PTO for helping fund this project.

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