Students Get Schooled in Scuba

Alpena High School students took their classes poolside today, with a special lesson in underwater archaeology to prepare them for summer. With the help of the Marine Sanctuary scuba instructors, high school teacher John Caplis was able to school his students in something new. He says the goal of today’s activity was to get students prepared and interested in what it’s like working under water, so that this summer they can be more active.

“The goal is hopefully that students will not want to sit on the couch this summer and instead get out and snorkel on the shipwreck and get out into the sanctuary,” Caplis says.

The pool was set up with five stations– a scuba station, an under water archaeology station, a safety station, ROV station, and a snorkel station. Caplis says usually his students don’t thank him for more homework, but this kind of work is different.

“My students don’t thank me for daily work but when they come out of the pool and they’ve been able to breathe air under water they always say thank you. And that’s the most rewarding part you know they really understand the importance and they appreciate the experience,” he says.

Today’s event was sponsored by NOAA and the Besser Foundation. The Besser Foundation also donated all of the equipment for the teens to enjoy their underwater experience.