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Build confidence, make friends, and shine on stage!
Waterways Stage combines the power of performance arts with the joy of scientific discovery to engage students and their communities in their local watersheds.
We are partnered with both Lake Champlain Committee (LLC) and ECHO, Leahy Center, and are supported by the Vermont Arts Council, and the Lake Champlain Basin Program.
Our program is available to classrooms, after-school programs, home schools, and community groups in Vermont and New York.
We offer flexible learning styles that include in-person, fully virtual, or hybrid options.
Classrooms collaborate with expert educators from Very Merry Theatre (VMT) and LLC to research and perform original plays on a pressing Lake Champlain Basin-related environmental science topic.
Participants can choose from four exciting science learning options: Climate-Impacted Species, Water Quality, Invasive Species, and Adaptations in Species!
Participants receive:
one visit from a Lake Champlain Committee (LLC) Scientist
at least two visits from a VMT Artist
a free field trip to ECHO, Leahy Center for Lake Champlain
Through these visits, participants transform their scientific learning into a 10-minute theatre piece – with the option to perform at the Waterways Stage Festival!
We look forward to working together to bring this FREE program to your classroom, group or after-school program!
We look forward to working together to bring this FREE program to your classroom, group or after-school program!
With appreciation,
Lauren Larken Scuderi and Sarah Adelaide Hewitt
VMT Teaching Artists, Waterways Stage
For more information and to get started, register your group now!
For more information and to get started, register your group now!
Registered groups will be eligible for Lake Champlain Committee (LLC), in-person Science Stream Monitoring, Watershed Model, and other in-person learning experiences.
Students work with expert educators to research and perform original plays about important water quality issues.
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, MycoEvolve, and LLC of Lake Champlain.
Email lauren@verymerrytheatre.org for more info.
Click image above to view video
"It completely transformed my child's self confidence in a positive way!"
-- Winooski Elementary School participant's parent
"It completely transformed my child's self confidence in a positive way!"
-- Winooski Elementary School participant's parent
Since 2016
Since 2016
Waterways Stage has been working with 15 schools in central and northern Vermont
Your choice
Your choice
Pick on-site, virtual or a hybrid format to fit your classroom needs
Join us
Join us
Enroll early and you may be invited to participate in the Waterways Festival!
"We hadn't heard this student speak aloud before in class!"
-- a few public and private school alumni
"We hadn't heard this student speak aloud before in class!"
-- a few public and private school alumni
About the program
About the program
Learning Outcomes
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
September-December: Open enrollment
January: New Teacher Orientation
January-March: Theater and Science teaching sessions
April: Play Performances
Waterways participant resources
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.
Funding
Funding
Funding for this project came from a 2026 Lake Champlain Basin Program.
Founding Organizations
ECHO Leahy Center for Lake Champlain
Repeat and recent funders
Additional Partnerships
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