Inland Seas Education Association: Inspiring Great Lakes Stewardship Through Experiential Education

Introduction

The Inland Seas Education Association (ISEA) is a non-profit organization dedicated to enhancing public understanding and stewardship of the Great Lakes. Founded in 1989, ISEA provides hands-on, experiential learning programs for children and adults, fostering a sense of curiosity, responsibility, and passion for the Great Lakes ecosystem. Through shipboard and onshore educational programs, ISEA aims to cultivate the next generation of Great Lakes stewards.

A Legacy of Great Lakes Education

Since its inception in 1989, ISEA has been committed to providing learners of all ages with immersive educational experiences. These programs take place aboard traditionally-rigged tall ship schooners, along the shores of the Great Lakes, and in local rivers, streams, and wetlands. Over the past 35 years, ISEA has reached more than 190,000 program participants and continues to expand its reach and impact.

ISEA was created in 1989 to enhance public understanding and stewardship of the Great Lakes through experiential shipboard and onshore educational programs for children and adults. ISEA’s award-winning educational programs are designed for students in grades 3 - 12 and are modified for learners of all ages. ISEA is located in Suttons Bay on northern Lake Michigan and works with individuals throughout the Great Lakes basin.

The Vision of Captain Thomas M. Kelly

The Inland Seas Education Association owes its foundation to the vision of Captain Thomas M. Kelly, a marine biologist who believed in the power of education to protect the Great Lakes. Kelly's vision was to teach children and adults to know, protect, and love the Great Lakes’ important ecosystem.

Inspired by Pete Seeger's efforts to clean up the Hudson River, Kelly sought to create a similar movement in the Great Lakes region. He chartered the schooner Malabar from 1989 to 1994, using it as a platform to introduce students to the unique learning experience he had envisioned.

Kelly's vision also involved inspiring students to consider careers in the sciences. Keenly aware of the future problems the Great Lakes faced, he realized that ultimately many of the solutions to those problems will come from scientists who could develop this yearning as young students. His Schoolship program was designed in such a way that each assumed the role of a “Great Lakes scientist for the day.” These students use cutting edge scientific equipment and learn firsthand what a job as a Great Lakes scientist actually looks and feels like in an exciting and fun manner.

His monumental vision was to teach children and adults to know, protect, and love the Great Lakes’ important ecosystem. Kelly had spent a month out east aboard the Clearwater, a sailing sloop whose group was working to clean up the then-heavily polluted Hudson River through advocacy and education.

Experiential Learning Programs

ISEA offers a variety of hands-on learning programs designed to engage students and adults in the exploration and conservation of the Great Lakes. These programs include:

Schoolship Programs

In our Schoolship programs, students board one of our tall ship schooners and become scientists, while assisting instructors with the collection and analysis of Great Lakes samples. Students are transformed into Great Lakes scientists, sailors, and stewards when they board one of our tall ship schooners! While out on the water, your students will gain a unique insight into the ecology of the Great Lakes. Students assist instructors with the collection and analysis of Great Lakes samples, including fish, plankton, and organisms that live along the bottom (benthos). They also get to join the crew and help raise the sails! How does the Great Lakes food web function, and what can it tell us about the health of the lakes?

ROV Engineer & Explore Program

Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROV) are underwater robots that enable researchers and industry professionals to assess underwater areas that were once unreachable or too dangerous for human access. When you bring your class to participate in our ROV Engineer & Explore Program, students learn to collaborate in teams to design and build an ROV to complete specific missions. How can we use technology to learn about and protect the Great Lakes? During an ROV Engineer and Explore program, students learn to collaborate in teams to design and build an aquatic ROV to complete specific missions. We are investing in the tools that inspire the next generation of Great Lakes researchers and scientists. Maintaining a fleet of ROV (Remotely Operated Vehicle) kits is a "behind-the-scenes" necessity that makes our mission possible. These kits are the backbone of our ROV Explorer programs.

Watershed Exploration Programs

Watershed Exploration programs connect students with the Great Lakes by exploring watersheds and gaining experience with technology and skills used in the field. These STEM programs focus on protecting the Great Lakes by understanding watersheds and the relationship between land and water, exposing youth to Great Lakes careers, and gaining experience with technology and skills used in the field. Expand your group’s Great Lakes knowledge and experience by participating in our land-based watershed programs. What is a watershed, and what is the relationship between land and the Great Lakes?

Great Lakes Watershed Field Course

The Inland Seas Education Association has officially opened our applications for the Great Lakes Watershed Field Course, and it’s a game-changer. This isn't just a 4-day summer workshop; it’s a year-long partnership designed to help you facilitate student-led environmental action civics. We don't just give you the tools, we stay by your side throughout the entire 2026-27 school year. Beyond the expert training in watershed pedagogy, we’re putting our money where our mission is. Every participant receives a $300 mini-grant for classroom projects and a $825 scholarship for a shipboard education program.

Vessels and Locations

ISEA operates two tall ship schooners: the Inland Seas and the Alliance.

Schooner Inland Seas: Sails out of Suttons Bay. Groups meet at the Thomas M. Kelly Biological Station - 100 Dame St., Suttons Bay, MI 49682. This is the 77-foot schoolship, Inland Seas. A beloved ship to many, she has been around for more than 28 years now.
Schooner Alliance: Sails out of Discovery Pier in Traverse City.

The main difference between the two are their locations (Inland Seas sails out of Suttons Bay, Alliance sails out of Discovery Pier in Traverse City) and the passenger capacity (max. of 32 on Inland Seas, max. of 35 on Alliance).

Onshore Programs

In addition to teaching on the ship, we also lead programs on shore as well. Beyond onboard experiences, student also learn onshore. There are also adult programs and sailing adventures.

Commitment to Accessibility

ISEA is committed to making its programs accessible to all schools and students. Scholarships are available on an as-needed basis to help schools participate in these enriching, hands-on field trips. Inland Seas offers scholarships to help schools participate in our enriching, hands-on field trips. We have scholarships available that are assigned on an as-needed basis.

Impact and Reach

Kelly was successful in inspiring more than 100,000 Great Lakes Stewards in his lifetime, and now the organization keeps the way open for many more. After 35 years and reaching more than 190,000 program participants, we are convinced that the scientists and citizens who will solve the Great Lakes’ problems of the future will sail aboard Inland Seas’ ships today.

Sustainability and Financial Responsibility

Inland Seas Education Association reviews all educational programs on a yearly basis. Annual reports include yearly financial data and organizational highlights. The newly formed ISEA began planning for its own vessel sometime around 1991.

Life at ISEA

I love my job at Inland Seas Education Association. Getting paid to sail, teach, and build new Great Lakes ecology lessons like aquatic robotics and sea lamprey dissections is such a blast. At ISEA, we are incredibly lucky to have a crew that feels like family and a mission that keeps us inspired every day.

Current Initiatives

The Inland Seas Education Association is seeking passionate educators and science communicators to join our team for the 2026 summer season.

Great Lakes Education Intern: Perfect for early-career professionals or students looking to dive deep into environmental education.
Michigan Sea Grant Undergraduate Environmental Intern: Ideal for students interested in the intersection of science communication and education assessment.

Both roles include free on-site housing and the opportunity to sail to multiple ports across the Great Lakes this summer!

Legacy

“I admired and respected Tom immensely,” he continued, “and strive to lead the organization in a manner that I believe Tom would approve of. I’ve thought often how thankful I am to the groundwork that Tom built with ISEA,” said Sitkins. “The wonderful reputation and partnerships we enjoy today are the fruits of many years of hard work by Tom and they are what have made ISEA a truly sustainable organization which can gain strength even during a pandemic.

A Call to Action

ISEA invites individuals to join them as learners, supporters, or volunteers. With over 120 volunteers keeping the organization running, there are numerous opportunities to contribute to the mission of Great Lakes education and stewardship. We hope you’ll join us on a program as a learner, supporter, or as one of our 120+ volunteers who keep our organization running.

Overcoming Challenges

Mud on your face? While most people look at the surface of Lake Michigan and see a vast blue horizon, our education team looks deeper. Our long-term data reveals a lake floor in constant transition, perhaps most notably seen in the dramatic "crayfish takeover" where the invasive Rusty Crayfish has outcompeted native species to dominate our sampled catch since its arrival in 2000. This shift is mirrored in the "mussel wars" of the Great Lakes, where biological adaptations have allowed Quagga mussels to largely displace the once-famous Zebra mussel. Yet, among these shifting populations, native survivors like midge larvae (or "bloodworms") continue to play a vital role, utilizing specialized hemoglobin to thrive in low-oxygen sediments while awaiting their spring metamorphosis. At Inland Seas Education Association, we believe that long-term monitoring and hands-on discovery are essential to regional stewardship.

The Devil’s Element

Phosphorus is known as the "Devil’s Element"-- it’s essential for life, yet prone to spontaneous combustion and responsible for some of the most challenging environmental crises of our time. Our latest blog post, "The Devil’s in the Goo," dives into the paradox of progress surrounding this nutrient.

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