Experiential Educational Sailing for School Students – “The Floating Laboratory” on the Queen of Sheba Boat
The perfect combination of nature, inquiry and hands-on learning during a cruise on the Sea of Galilee – all on board the ‘Queen of Sheba’ as part of ‘The Floating Lab’, an educational science program of the Kinneret Cities Association.An educational cruise for schools on the Sea of Galilee offers a unique educational opportunity.
About the activity:
‘The Floating Lab’ is a 90-minute educational cruise led by the Kinneret Cities Association’s team of guides, combining active, hands-on learning in environmental science, biology, geography, chemistry and ecology. Students explore the Sea of Galilee using professional equipment – sampling the water and lakebed, examining microorganisms under a microscope, taking environmental measurements and enjoying a unique experience in the middle of the lake. An educational school cruise on the Sea of Galilee encourages inquiry and environmental awareness.
The activity is adapted to the students’ age, academic background and the school’s educational goals – in full coordination with the teaching staff.
Programs tailored for schools:
Elementary schools:
Field days for elementary schools are designed to introduce students to the fascinating world of the Sea of Galilee in an engaging, enriching way. The activity includes:
Learning through experience and hands-on activities.
A combination of optional walking, experiments, games, and puzzles.
Getting to know the Sea of Galilee as a natural habitat and understanding the impact of human activity on its ecosystem. As part of our educational cruises for schools on the Sea of Galilee, we offer a close-up encounter with nature and learning.
Team-building activities that teach environmental responsibility.
It is also possible to include field days for parents and children that promote sustainability and environmental conservation.
Middle and high schools:
For upper grades, more in-depth field days are offered, tailored to specific areas of study:
Biology – measuring and analyzing abiotic and biotic factors, getting to know the animals and plants typical of the Sea of Galilee and how they adapt to their environment, as part of an educational cruise on the lake.
Chemistry – students run lab tests on water samples: dissolved oxygen, nitrite, nitrate, ammonia, acidity and more.
Environmental science – exploring human impact on a unique ecosystem, environmental dilemmas and surface-water management.
Geography – studying the Sea of Galilee as a body of water of regional and national importance: tourism, settlement, water in international agreements and more.
How does it work?
1
The activity is led by professional guides with academic degrees and extensive experience in environmental education from the Kinneret Cities Association
2
After advance coordination with the teaching staff, a preparation lesson is given with a presentation, information and articles. This is an important part of the educational school cruise program.
3
During the cruise, students receive worksheets and data-collection sheets and take samples from the Sea of Galilee themselves. Learning on board gives them an in-depth encounter with nature.
4
After the tour, reports can be completed and the data analyzed together with the guides. This is an important element of an educational cruise on the Sea of Galilee and helps complete the learning process.
