Students from the Maritime Engineering & Environmental Science Academy (MEESA) spent an extraordinary day at The Mariners’ Museum in Newport News, participating in immersive field experiences that bridged environmental science, maritime history, and hands-on engineering.
The visit began lakeside, where the Lake Stewards Team introduced students to the tools and practices used by environmental researchers. MEESA scholars tested the GPS and sensors for their student-built mini boat—an important milestone ahead of its inaugural launch later this year. Students also connected to the team’s onboard human sensors to collect physiological data and explored how researchers use biometric feedback to stay safe and responsive in the field.
Safety was a major theme of the day. The lake team guided students through cold-water safety drills, highlighting the protocols that real researchers must master before heading into the field. Students also collected water quality readings and created macroinvertebrate leaf packs—artificial habitats designed to support organisms such as dragonfly larvae. The packs will remain in the lake over winter break so students can analyze whether the habitat structures helped strengthen macroinvertebrate populations when they return next month.
The learning continued behind the scenes as the Archivist Team invited students into spaces rarely seen by the public. MEESA students toured archival storage areas, examined preserved maritime artifacts, and learned about the meticulous processes involved in cataloging and conserving historical materials. The archivists also offered guidance on the academy’s own emerging maritime collection: a curated set of items MEESA students are assembling to travel aboard their mini boat as “cargo,” telling the story of the academy and the region’s maritime heritage.
Tirzah Jaynes, Program Administrator for MEESA, emphasized the power of these immersive experiences:
“It was incredible to watch our students step into the roles of researchers, engineers, and historians all in one day. Experiences like this show them that the maritime field is full of exciting, impactful careers—and that the skills they’re building at MEESA truly matter in the real world.”
The trip marks another milestone in MEESA’s inaugural year, offering students a dynamic blend of field science, engineering preparation, and cultural insight as they prepare for the full launch of their mini boat project later this year.
