By: Nina “Moana” Quaratella, Education Specialist

Since our inception, New England Science & Sailing (NESS) has been committed to empowering students with a love of learning through ocean based experiential programs. According to Scientific American, “diversity in science refers to cultivating talent, and promoting the full inclusion of excellence across the social spectrum.” Our programs aim to do just that. We enable students from all backgrounds to get out on the water and learn by doing. Our programs are accessible to all regardless of race, age, socio-economic status, learning ability, physical ability, and identity. NESS is committed to providing scholarship funds for students, teachers, and community members to participate in programs without a financial burden.

Our programs encourage personal growth, teamwork, communication, and hands-on learning. With the implementation of the NESS SEA AmeriCorps program, we have made it a priority to run hands-on programs with schools of lower economic status and reach a more diverse group of students. Marine science programs are adaptable regardless of student learning or physical ability. NESS educators are experienced in tailoring programs to fit the needs of each unique student through deliberate instruction and meaningful relationship building. This is exhibited through our partnership with Hartford Healthcare. NESS provides experiential learning programs and classroom support at two sites in the Natchaug school system, an alternative placement program. These and other similar learning experiences are taught in the classroom and on the water through our Supportive Environmental Adventure Learning (SEAL) program.

Equitable education is prevalent in NESS’s accessible sailing programs. In partnership with Sail to Prevail, NESS added an adaptive Independence 20 sailing vessel to its fleet in 2017. This vessel is outfitted with the tools to allow sailors with varying physical abilities to adventure on the water, including two pivoting, counter weighted seats that can be moved from side to side while tacking or jibing while 900 lbs. of ballast provides extra stability. Spike Lobdell, President & CEO of NESS, founded the organization after observing that the sport of sailing was predominantly comprised of white males with financial privilege. Spike set forth with the ultimate goal to bring more diversity into the world of sailing. NESS sailing education programs are designed to achieve this goal.

While our education programs are focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), NESS staff and Board of Directors are doing their part to educate and train themselves in how to provide an equitable learning experience. We have an active DEI committee that meets regularly to promote DEI across the organization and with our constituents. The DEI committee has organized workshops to address racial injustices and shared the NESS statement of solidarity in the Black Lives Matter movement. With the common understanding of “we don’t know what we don’t know”, NESS staff is committed to educating ourselves to understand our own privilege and inherent biases so we may offer equitable education programs.