Short & Sweet Update on Lancer

Dear Friend,

One of the highlights from this summer was the National Marine Educators Association conference where we met with marine educators from around the world. We carted Lancer around campus and throughout sessions to raise awareness of our miniboat program, and to invite everyone to track its 4th voyage, which turned out to be much shorter than we expected! Read below to find out what happened...

Sincerely,
Cassie
Executive Director

WHAT HAPPENED TO THE LANCER?

At the NMEA conference in July, we carted Lancer all around campus to raise awareness of our miniboat program and to invite everyone to track its 4th voyage, which turned out to be much shorter than we expected… 

💙Lancer was first launched from the R/V Neil Armstrong in 2016 by Kaitlyn Dow as a science project at Waterford High School in Connecticut, USA…

🍀Landed in IRELAND after 132 days at sea sailing east. Méabh recovered it and then shared it at EMSEA conference in Belfast

🤝Kaitlyn and Méabh met in 2017 and the boat was later relaunched by the R/V Celtic Explorer

💨2nd voyage ended in Plymouth, UK on August 4, 2017

🧬STEMfest and Project OCN upgraded Lancer with sensors and relaunched it from the R/V Angeles Alvarino in Canary Islands, Spain in 2022 thanks to the Ocean Conservation Trust and National Marine Aquarium

🌎Lancer sailed west across the Atlantic while collecting temperature data and pictures from on deck camera the whole way. It was successfully recovered in the BAHAMAS on Earth Day 2023 thanks to Long Island Boat Rentals

💕Kaitlyn, while now in the Coast Guard, brought Lancer back home at the end of 2023

🎨A new group of students at Waterford High School prepared her for a FOURTH voyage during 23-24 school year

⛵️Near the same launch spot as 2016, Lancer was relaunched during the NES LTER cruise on September 8, 2024 from the R/V Endeavor (thanks to NSF and WHOI)

⏮️Lancer did not go the same way as before, but instead went to North Carolina! Another successful recovery, though, and a new school is brought on board the project: Welcome Aboard, Waters Edge Village School

Do you want to join the Lancer adventure, too?
➡️ Explore more on the Lancer's page
➡️ Learn more about the NSF LTER work and Data Jam Competition and Activities
➡️ Read The Serendipitous Transatlantic Tale of One Tiny but Mighty Boat article from Connecticut Sea Grant Wracklines
➡️ Donate to support relaunch efforts and classroom connections

IN OTHER NEWS

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