Grants At Work
It’s hard to imagine that many of Oakland’s school children have never had the pleasure of visiting Lake Merritt, or had the opportunity to spend some time on the water. But with the popularity and success of the Sailing Into Science program, run through the Oakland Parks and Recreation’s Boating Division and supported by grants from Friends for the past three years, that is all changing. Offered primarily to 4th and 5th grade students, and beginning each year in late-February, Sailing into Science is a much-needed supplement to the standard school year. Classrooms spend an entire week down at Lake Merritt, learning about different types of boats, the ecology of a watershed and everything from pulley mechanics to compass navigation.

“We have two primary goals that we hope to accomplish by the end of each week,” explains Jonas Juhlin, recreation specialist in the Boating Division and the principal instructor in the program.

“First, we simply want them to get acquainted with Lake Merritt and all that it has to offer. Ninety percent of our students have never been on a boat; so we take them out in kayaks, pedal boats, the dragon boat and rowboats. Then we give them each five free rentals so that hopefully they’ll come back with family and friends.

“Second, and most important, it’s an intense, hands-on science education,” he continues. “A lot of teachers simply don’t have the time or resources to devote as much time to science as they would like in the classroom. Our curriculum was developed by teachers in the Oakland Unified School District and exceeds California standards. But it’s strictly supplemental;we help teachers teach science.”

Juhlin also points out that much of the program would not be possible without the money provided by Friends.

“Friends has been great to us,” he says. “The grant money has gone to providing scholarships for low-income students, helping out with transportation to and from school, and to the purchase of science products, including a refractometer, fish traps, classroom supplies, salinity test equipment...just about everything we’ve needed.”

Each day of the week is devoted to a particular field of science, and students learn through practical, hands-on experimentation and observation. It’s a laboratory environment, where Lake Merritt is the classroom.

Day One is Life Science, where students collect and study plant and animal specimens, learn about the importance of plankton and run tests for salinity and oxygen levels. Day Two is Earth Science,where children learn about the global water cycle as it relates to Lake Merritt, storm and sewer drainage systems, and the importance of watersheds in the overall ecosystem. Day Three is spent on Physics, where students learn about sailing and simple machines, including levers, pulleys and inclined planes—items that decrease the amount of energy to do work.

At the end of the day, they lift the teacher using a series of simple machines! Day Four is devoted to Chemistry, where students are introduced to the Periodic Table and revisit solids, liquids and gases. Emphasis is placed on the chemical composition of water and various living organisms. The Final Day is all about Nautical Science, where students learn to map and chart a course, read a compass and design and build their own sailboats for a week-ending race in the “Rain Gutter Regatta.”

“Lake Merritt is a wonderful place to learn about science and the importance of water in our lives,” Juhlin says. “It’s the only brackish urban lake in the country, and in that sense it’s a mini-model of the San Francisco Bay and watersheds in general. Plus, it’s a great place for kids who spend their whole lives in the city to get out and enjoy the great outdoors!”

Besides Sailing into Science, Lake Merritt hosts a range of educational programs and boating activities. To learn more about the Lake Merritt Boating Center by clicking here or call (510) 238-2196 for more information.