Education met environmental science on the waters of Montgomery County last week as Ursinus College students boarded a unique vessel: the Floating Classroom, a solar-powered pontoon boat docked at Aqua Pennsylvania’s Green Lane Reservoir.
This hands-on learning experience is part of a broader partnership between Aqua PA and the Perkiomen Watershed Conservancy — an alliance that continues to grow both in scope and impact.
The Floating Classroom, a 24-foot boat named Dragonfly I, serves as a mobile science lab outfitted with microscopes, water testing kits, iPads, WiFi, and a solar-powered electric motor. Its mission is to immerse students in real-world watershed science while promoting stewardship of local water bodies.
Before stepping aboard, students take to the water in kayaks to collect water samples, aquatic organisms, and other data. Once back on the boat, they examine their findings under microscopes and explore the ecology of the reservoir in depth. The program not only introduces students to aquatic biology, botany, ornithology, and geology but also fosters a deep personal connection to the environment.
Aqua Pennsylvania’s Environmental Scientist, Maggie Reilly, joined the Ursinus students for this week’s session, lending her expertise and enthusiasm.
“It’s really important for me to be here with Ursinus College and participate in activities such as what we’re doing right now,” said Reilly. “It’s all about helping the younger generation understand the importance of water quality, especially when it comes to source water protection.”
The Floating Classroom is just one of many initiatives supported by Aqua Pennsylvania and the Essential Foundation, which recently contributed $15,000 to the Perkiomen Watershed Conservancy to fund ongoing educational programming.
Ryan Beltz, Executive Director of the Conservancy, highlighted the long-term impact of programs like this one:
“After many students spend some time with us, many of them go into environmental careers because they feel so passionate about what they’ve learned here and have connected so strongly to this place and to this water body and the things that they’re doing.”
Students who participate in the Floating Classroom develop critical thinking skills, environmental literacy, and a deeper appreciation for the ecosystems that surround them. With custom programming available for schools and summer camps alike, the Floating Classroom represents a powerful step forward in environmental education.
Learn more about the Floating Classroom Science Program and Aqua Pennsylvania’s ongoing partnership with Perkiomen Watershed Conservancy. Aqua has been committed to providing the highest quality water and wastewater services to its communities since its beginning in 1886.
