archived 8.30.07

In December of 2006, the Bayfront Center for Maritime Studies installed a Skystream 3.7  wind turbine manufactured by Southwest Windpower in Flagstaff, Arizona.  www.windenergy.com

"The unit is a 1.8 KW Residential Power Appliance that is the first fully integrated system that produces energy for less than the average cost of electricity in the United States and it produces usable energy in exceptionally low winds. The wind turbine is designed to provide 100% of the energy needs for a s m all home or business.  The electricity generated is fed into the grid, and any extra electricity will turn the meter backwards."

The Skystream is mounted on a 35' tower located between the Blasco Library and the BCMS building at the foot of Holland St.  A grant from the Pennsylvania Energy Development Authority (PEDA) purchased the turbine and helped fund the installation.  The site is one of fifteen across Pennsylvania to receive the grant.

With its sailboats, BCMS has used wind energy for nine years. This turbine allows the center to add a renewable energy component to its curriculum. Four large , donated photovoltaic panels and a biodiesel display will be included.   While the turbine will help produce some of the electricity used at the school, its main purpose is educational.  Students have already worked on the project, laying out the site, calculating the cubic yards of concrete needed for the foundation, setting and leveling the welded reinforcing rod frame with the 12 attached massive anchor bolts, building and setting the forms, stripping the forms after the pour, filling in the ground around the foundation, helping to assemble the unit by supporting the rotor blades while the attaching bolts were being torqued, measuring wire runs, and working out the meters per second to nautical miles per hour (knots) conversions.

Click Here to read the Dec. 16, 2006 article, "Windmill on Bayfront powers education"
on Goerie.com

archived 2.28.07

	Retired Edinboro instructor Paul Knuth assists Millcreek Alternative School student Dave Martin, 15, in the construction of a canoe. Knuth has been building and maintaining water craft for the past 20 years. (Photo by Erie Times-News)

Maritime classroom

By SCOTT WALDMAN
scott.waldman@timesnews.com

October 9, 2006 - Erie, Pa. -- Students get hands-on experience at Bayfront Center Millcreek Township School District students will be getting their feet wet in science class.

They'll also have the opportunity to sail, tie knots and even work on a boat now that the district has partnered with the Bayfront Center for Maritime Studies.

For the rest of the story, click here.

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MTSD Partners with Bayfront Center for Maritime Studies

	Pictured left to right: Timothy Stoops, Director of Alternative Education; Susan Sullivan, MTSD Board Vice President; Dr. Dean Maynard, Superintendent of Schools; Richard Eisenberg, BCMS Director; Deborah Sturm, Supervisor of Curriculum; Rebecca Mancini, Supervisor of Special Education/Student Services.

(Erie, Pennsylvania) — Students from the Millcreek Township School District are attending the Bayfront Center for Maritime Studies (BCMS) as part of a partnership between the school district and the BCMS. Millcreek middle and high school students participating in the alternative education, flex-education, and technology education programs are spending mornings at BCMS, 40 Holland Street, applying math and science concepts to build boats and learn about the environment. The students return to the Millcreek School District for their afternoon instruction.

“This partnership provides a hands-on and collaborative learning experience perfect for our students,” said Millcreek Superintendent Dr. Dean Maynard. “The students are able to integrate their math, science, and literacy skills into building innovative and operable boats while also learning about the ever-changing environment of Presque Isle.”

Learning activities are designed to introduce and reinforce academics, personal growth and citizenship, and teach students about Presque Isle and the Lake Erie environment. “It looks like we are building boats with kids, but we are really building kids with boats,” said BCMS Director Rich Eisenberg.

The Bayfront Center for Maritime Studies is a non-profit, community-based organization whose mission is to design and deliver unique, hands-on, maritime related educational, vocational, and recreational opportunities for all members of the community. BCMS began operation in May of 1998 and has worked with thousands of area youth creating positive learning experiences through building boats, sailing aboard one of the Center's boats, studying navigation and our environment, and having fun on beautiful Presque Isle Bay and Lake Erie.

A press conference was held on October 4, 2006, at 10:30 a.m. at the BCMS to announce the partnership.

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archived 10.24.06
BCMS is pleased to offer sailing charters for the 2006 sailing season!

Sail on the 42’ Friendship Sloop, Momentum, $25 per person for a one and a half hour ride on beautiful Presque Isle Bay. The boat can accommodate groups up to 12, four-person minimum. A licensed captain and crew are provided and participants can take a turn at the wheel, help raise the sails, or simply sit back and enjoy the ride.

For more information or to reserve a date call 814-456-4077.

Sea Tech Marine Navigation Classes

Learn navigation and qualify for your captain’s license! Richard Eisenberg and Dennis Daniels teach classes Regularly in Erie, Buffalo, Rochester, Put-in-Bay, and Port Clinton, Ohio. Call (814) 456-4077 for information and registration.

Click HERE for more information