Carver students in our 5th Grade Scholars after-school program at Jefferson Elementary School spent two-hours yesterday aboard the Maritime Aquarium’s revolutionary R/V Spirit of the Sound! The Carver scholars enjoyed an exciting hands-on experience in examining, monitoring, and discovering Long Island Sound.

The Maritime Aquarium’s R/V Spirit of the Sound is the first research vessel in the country with hybrid-electric propulsion. She runs quietly and “green.” The 64-foot catamaran has a climate-controlled indoor classroom and an outdoor research space. Equipped with a wide range of sampling and scientific equipment, she’s bringing the marine world and scientific inquiry alive for our new generation of students.

In 2014, "Spirit of the Sound" replaced the Aquarium's 40-foot, 34-year-old diesel-powered trawler, R/V Oceanic. With more room inside and out, the new research vessel doubles the Aquarium's capacity for getting students out on the water.

One among the vessel’s many exciting pieces of technology is a Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV). The ROV has propellers, lights, and cameras. It can be lowered to the bottom of Long Island Sound where students can look in on all the creatures and shipwrecks alike!

Thanks to the Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) initiative, Carver is able to offer these programs. The 21st CCLC initiative is the only federal funding source dedicated exclusively to supporting local afterschool, before-school, and summer learning programs. The program serves nearly 2 million youth, nationwide through grants awarded by state education agencies. This funding awarded to Carver by the Connecticut State Department of Education through a very competitive grant process provides for academic enrichment activities that help students meet state and local achievement standards. Carver is also able to offer a broad array of additional enrichment services designed to reinforce and complement the regular academic program, such as STEM programs, and physical activity and nutrition education programs. Carver also offers literacy and related educational development services to the families of children we serve.