New England Science & Sailing (NESS) and  New London Recreation teamed up to host Water Works in New London on Saturday, February 26. A total of 115 families joined us for a morning filled with interactive, hands-on, STEM activities at the B.P. Learned Mission Building.

Activities included kelp tastings with Yellow Farmhouse Education Center, marshmallow engineering challenge with Mentoring Corps for Community Development, take-home bird feeders with the Roger Tory Peterson Estuary Center, analyzing and measuring shark characteristics with Living Sharks Museum, mini science experiments with New London Youth Affairs, art projects with Niantic Children’s Museum, microscope and touch tank experiences with 2 Marine Science groups from Connecticut College, fishing pole casting practice, salt dough ocean animals, take-home ocean puppets, community art mural project participation, ROV (Remotely Operated Vehicles) construction and driving, Recycle Regatta participation, nautical knot tying with NESS Educators and US Coast Guard Academy Cadets, and more!

Families received raffle tickets upon entrance, and students earned tickets for participating in each activity; which they then traded in for prizes and snacks. Every student also took home their handmade crafts, custom NESS sunglasses, more educational activities to bring home, and fruit provided by Fiddleheads.

“Thanks for such a fun and educational morning!!!”

“Thank you for hosting this wonderful event! My 4-year-old enjoyed every second!”

“We’re keeping an eye out for another one! Had a great time!”