“Being able to bring them here gives them a core place that they can come and engage others. This experience tends to draw them back to learn more,” Jay C. Martin Ph.D., professor of history at Central Michigan University
The CMU Shipwreck Central class made a road trip to Alpena on Friday, April 5th to visit the Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Center. They received an overview of the history and mission of Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary from Superintendent Jeff Gray, toured the exhibits and got to step into the conservation lab with State of Michigan Maritime Archeologist Wayne Lusardi.
Many of them had never been to this part of the state, but said they were very interested in learning and engaging more with the shipwreck history. They also discussed during a pizza lunch debrief some of things that draws their generation Z crowd to a destination like Alpena is festivals, camping, dining, museums, downtown, and outdoor experiences like snorkeling, kayaking, and exploring the shipwrecks whether above, on or in the water.
One of the goals of Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary is to get as many people as possible near, in, on or even better, under the water to really get into and treasure their sanctuary.
Students receive a personalized tour from Education Specialist Daniel Moffatt.
Students are treated to a rare step into the conservation lab with State of Michigan Maritime Archeologist Wayne Lusardi
