Waterways Stage:
Where art meets science
Students work with expert educators to research and perform original plays about important water quality issues.
We partner with Very Merry Theatre, ECHO Leahy Center, Lake Champlain Basin Project, and Sea Grant of Lake Champlain.
Since 2016
Waterways Stage has been working with 15 schools in central and northern Vermont
Your choice
Pick on-site, virtual or a hybrid format to fit your classroom needs
Join us
Enroll early and you may be invited to participate in the Waterways Festival!
About the program
Learning Outcomes
Students gain increased
Knowledge of ecology and cultural history of their local watershed
Interest in scientific and societal issues facing their communities
Ability to work creatively with others
Confidence in understanding scientific information
Confidence in expressing ideas using language and the performing arts
Benefits of participation
Increased student interest in scientific and social issues facing their communities
Increased student ability to work creatively with others
Two in-person Very Merry teaching artist sessions
One in-person ECHO educator sessions
Complimentary admission to ECHO
One hands-on stream monitoring experience with Lake Champlain Sea Grant educational program
Classroom commitment (10 - 20 hrs)
Researching a local watershed issue
Writing an original 8 - 15 min play
Constructing props and costumes
Performing your play for the community
Program timeline
December 1: Enrollments open
January: New teacher orientation
February - March: Very Merry outreach sessions
April: Play performances
Waterways participant resources
Virtual or Hybrid Teacher Handbook 2022
Educational Videos
All About Lake Champlain Videos Link
Useful Links
Audubon Vermont: Information about birds and avian conservation efforts in Vermont.
Lake Champlain Basin Program: Comprehensive resource for all things Lake Champlain, including specific materials for educators.
Lake Champlain Committee: Great science and policy resource, particularly for up-to-date Lake Champlain news.
Vermont Fish & Wildlife: State information about our endangered and threatened species.
Vermont Reptile & Amphibian Atlas: Detailed information about Vermont’s reptiles and amphibians.
Sea Grant: A national network of 34 university-based programs and the Sea Grant Collection at the NOAA Central Library.
Science Learning Resources
Sea Grant Watershed Educator
Alison Spasyk
Watershed.Alliance@uvm.edu
ECHO Leahy Center for Lake Champlain is looking forward to providing free museum visits to schools and afterschool programs participating in the Waterways Stage program. During your visit, your students will complete a Junior Ranger booklet and visit the Lake Champlain Basin Program Resource Room.
To book field trips, use this form. In the comments section at the bottom, please indicate that you are a Waterways school.
Questions? Contact School Program Manager Liz Greenberg at lgreenberg@echovermont.org or call 1-802-864-1848 ext 133.
Waterways Stage's programming is available free of charge!
Early enrollments have the possibility of performing at our Waterways Festival!
To enroll, fill out the form below.
Funding
Funding for this project came from a 2017 Local Heritage grant from the Champlain Valley National Heritage Partnership.
Founding Organizations
ECHO Leahy Center for Lake Champlain
Repeat and recent funders
Additional Partnerships