** Reserve Now for Fall 2027 **
Your Students Can Explore Long Island Sound on the new R/V Brewer
Long Island Sound is the Best Classroom
SoundWaters new research vessel, the R/V Brewer, will turn Long Island Sound into a fascinating million-acre classroom for your students. Using sophisticated equipment, they will test the waters of Long Island Sound, haul in a trawl net full of different amazing animals and begin to make their own observations and conclusions about the health of our greatest natural resource.
Accommodating up to 30 passengers, the R/V Brewer features multiple teaching spaces, including an on-board lab. Your students will be divided into smaller groups and rotate through a series of activities to facilitate an authentic, hands-on research experience for each student.
We’ll Come to you. The R/V Brewer is designed to access Long Island Sound coastal communities. If yours is a coastal community, we’ll bring the boat to you. If you are inland, we will find a coastal community near you and the R/V Brewer will meet you there. Our goal is to get your students onto the water.
Safety and Education: Three Decades Teaching on the Water
SoundWaters has been teaching students – over 300,000 of them – on boats on Long Island Sound for over three decades. Our full-time, professional education team will inspire your students with a hands-on marine science experience they will remember for years. Our U.S. Coast Guard-licensed captain and crew will ensure your students are comfortable and safe aboard the Coast Guard-certified R/V Brewer.
What Do Teachers Think?
“Our students are deeply engaged in the study of marine sciences, and SoundWaters is our ultimate pathway to researching the Long Island Sound. This new floating laboratory will provide an incredible hands-on experience for them and, I believe, will make our marine science program even more appealing.”
“SoundWaters has been our environmental science partner for decades. From elementary through AP Environmental Science, our teachers build their curriculum around our field study with your education team. Getting our students out of the classroom for real-life experiences on the Sound creates powerful learning for our students.”
“I have been impressed by how my students – from core level to AP– all get excited by getting out of the classroom and learning on Long Island Sound. Whether it’s on the Schooner or at the Harbor Center, they are doing science they’ve never tried before and they’re enjoying it.”
“Our students come to SoundWaters with different experiences and ways of engaging with learning, and hands-on learning outdoors is a great leveler. They all test water samples, they all use microscopes, they all hold marine animals—and because it is new, real, and tangible, every student has an opportunity to connect and be curious.”
Science on the Sound
A comprehensive introduction to oceanography, biology, and human impact.
This program will provide students with foundational concepts in marine science, biology, chemistry, and human impacts on environmental systems. Students will deploy sampling gear and collect ecological data from Long Island Sound, working as a team alongside SoundWaters educators to assess ecosystem health and consider complex ecosystem dynamics and human impacts. Together, these hands-on investigations lead students to a deeper understanding of Long Island Sound as a dynamic, interconnected ecosystem and their role in its future.
ACTIVITIES
Overview of Activities:
Benthic Trawling
Students will conduct trawls aboard the R/V Brewer to assess Long Island Sound marine species populations. After hauling in their catch, students will identify, sort, count, and measure individuals collected in the net. Students will record their data and compare the species’ presence and abundance they observe to historical data. Data analysis will facilitate a discussion about Long Island Sound animal populations’ thermal tolerance, species redistribution, population trends, and climate change’s local effects. Students will learn about fish tagging and monitoring protocols and, when possible, perform fish tagging while on board, contributing to longitudinal studies and deepening student connections to learning by participating in conservation efforts.
Plankton Analysis
Students will collect a plankton sample to identify and record phyto- and zooplankton species’ presence and abundance in Long Island Sound surface waters. Using a sample collected in a manta trawl net deployed and towed behind the boat, or, for a more interactive experience, smaller handheld plankton nets, students will use microscopes in the R/V Brewer wet lab to observe Long Island Sound plankton communities. Students will also visualize plankton using a larger screen connected to a microscope to aid in identification efforts. Students will consult field guides to speciate the plankton they observe, record their identifications, and contribute to data on plankton species’ abundance. The unique experience of seeing, identifying, and comparing plankton species allows students to gain a deeper understanding of plankton’s impact on the ecosystem, the environmental conditions that affect species abundance, the information scientists can gather from studying plankton communities, and the consequences changing plankton populations have on Long Island Sound’s ecosystem balance.
Water Quality Analysis and Human Impact
Students will help deploy a 6-bottle CTD rosette to conduct water quality sampling and testing using a variety of scientific methods. The CTD array models real in-field and on-board scientific research, as it provides real-time temperature and conductivity readings over the course of its descent and collects multiple water samples at a variety of depths. Students will use the water samples to conduct several tests, including temperature, salinity, nitrates, and turbidity, using assorted scientific equipment. After recording their measurements, students will discuss historical trends, compare their findings, and explore how water-quality parameters inform environmental monitoring, human activity, and responses to climate change.
NGSS ALIGNMENT
SCHEDULE
PRICING
NEXT STEPS
“Our students come to SoundWaters with different experiences and ways of engaging with learning, and hands-on learning outdoors is a great leveler. They all test water samples, they all use microscopes, they all hold marine animals—and because it is new, real, and tangible, every student has an opportunity to connect and be curious.” – Heather Chila, High School Asst. Principal, Great Oaks Bridgeport, CT
Biology of the Sound
Designed for AP Biology Curriculum; adaptable for any course level.
This research experience aboard the R/V Brewer brings biology into the field, allowing students to apply classroom concepts to experiential learning in the field. Students will use specialized scientific equipment to collect macro- and microorganisms from every depth of the Sound. Working together to identify and investigate relationships among the species they collect, students will practice classification skills, test evolutionary and morphological theories against tangible examples, explore population dynamics, and predict how abiotic and biotic factors influence the local ecosystem. This experience will offer students the unique opportunity to engage in authentic research while developing skills in biological identification, microscopy, quantitative data collection, ecological assessment, and scientific analysis.
ACTIVITIES
Overview of Activities:
Benthic Trawl
Students will conduct trawls aboard the R/V Brewer to assess Long Island Sound marine species populations. After hauling in their catch, students will identify, sort, count, and measure individuals collected in the net. Students will record their data and compare the species’ presence and abundance they observe to historical data. Data analysis will facilitate a discussion about Long Island Sound animal populations’ thermal tolerance, species redistribution, population trends, and climate change’s local effects. Students will learn about fish tagging and monitoring protocols and, when possible, perform fish tagging while on board, contributing to longitudinal studies and deepening student connections to learning by participating in conservation efforts. Through hands-on surveys of benthic communities using a trawl net, students investigate marine biodiversity and examine how evolutionary history and morphological adaptations are reflected across the major animal phyla found in the Sound. Students will connect observations of living organisms to concepts of phylogeny, evolution, and structure-function relationships.
Plankton Sampling
Students will collect a plankton sample to identify and record the presence and abundance of phyto- and zooplankton species in Long Island Sound surface waters. Using a sample collected in a manta trawl net deployed and towed behind the boat, or, for a more interactive experience, smaller handheld plankton nets, students will use microscopes in the R/V Brewer wet lab to observe Long Island Sound plankton communities. Students will also visualize plankton using a larger screen connected to a microscope to aid in identification efforts. Students will consult field guides to speciate the plankton they observe, record their identifications, and contribute to data on plankton species’ abundance. The unique experience of seeing, identifying, and comparing plankton species allows students to gain a deeper understanding of plankton’s impact on the ecosystem, the environmental conditions that affect species abundance, the information scientists can gather from studying plankton communities, and the consequences changing plankton populations have on Long Island Sound’s ecosystem balance. By comparing plankton communities across sampling locations and environmental conditions, students will explore population dynamics, community structure, and how abiotic factors influence biological populations.
Sediment Macroinvertebrates
Students will perform a benthic sediment grab to collect samples from the bottom of Long Island Sound. Once they bring up a sample, students will sieve the sediment, noting striations and identifying the various layers. Then students will collect and identify benthic macroinvertebrates from the sediment samples, using dichotomous keys to assess community composition and biodiversity. Students will use the organisms present as biological indicators to evaluate ecological health, applying concepts of species tolerance, biodiversity, and ecosystem function to assess environmental conditions.
NGSS ALIGNMENT
AP ALIGNMENT
SCHEDULE
PRICING
NEXT STEPS
“Our students are deeply engaged in the study of marine sciences, and SoundWaters is our ultimate pathway to researching the Long Island Sound. This new floating laboratory will provide an incredible hands-on experience for them and, I believe, will make our marine science program even more appealing.”
– Eva Bartush, Marine Science Academy Coordinator, Brien McMahon High School, Norwalk CT
The Connected Sound
Designed for AP Environmental Science Curriculum, adaptable for any course level
This research experience aboard the R/V Brewer invites students to connect local observations to global patterns by assessing environmental conditions and marine populations. Students will use a wide range of scientific equipment to collect and survey Long Island Sound species and water quality. This program will introduce students to the complex interactions between the Long Island Sound ecosystem and the communities that make up its watershed.
ACTIVITIES
Overview of Activities:
Animals & Climate – Benthic Animal Community Survey
Students will help deploy a benthic trawl net and learn to differentiate between cold-water- and warm-water-preferring species, identify which species are new additions to the Long Island Sound ecosystem due to warming waters, and determine which are threatened by climate change. After hauling in their catch, students will identify, sort, count, and measure individuals collected in the net. Students will record their data and compare the species’ presence and abundance they observe to historical data. Data analysis will facilitate a discussion about Long Island Sound animal populations’ thermal tolerance, species redistribution, population trends, and climate change’s local effects. Students will learn about fish tagging and monitoring protocols and, when possible, perform fish tagging while on board, contributing to longitudinal studies and deepening student connections to learning by participating in conservation efforts.
Plankton & Microplastic Dual Analysis – Assessing Life & Pollution in the Water Column
Students will engage in a hands-on dual analysis activity to study both plankton and microplastics in the surface waters of Long Island Sound. Using a sample collected in a manta trawl net deployed and towed behind the boat, students will use microscopes in the R/V Brewer wet lab to observe Long Island Sound plankton communities. Students will also visualize plankton using a larger screen connected to a microscope to aid in identification efforts. Students will consult field guides to speciate the plankton they observe, record their identifications, and contribute to data on plankton species’ presence and/or absence in Long Island Sound. Students will process the same samples to reveal microplastics and record data on microplastic concentration. Inquiry regarding plankton species variation and microplastics’ environmental impact can provide insights into marine biodiversity and environmental pollution.
Water Quality Monitoring
Students will help deploy a 6-bottle CTD rosette to conduct water quality sampling and testing using a variety of scientific methods. The CTD array models real in-field and on-board scientific research, as it provides real-time temperature and conductivity readings over the course of its descent and collects multiple water samples at a variety of depths. Students will use the water samples to conduct several tests, including temperature, salinity, nitrate, and turbidity, using assorted scientific equipment. After recording their measurements, students will discuss historical trends, compare their findings, and investigate how water quality parameters can inform environmental monitoring, human activity, and responses to climate change.
NGSS ALIGNMENT
AP ALIGNMENT
SCHEDULE
PRICING
NEXT STEPS
“SoundWaters has been our environmental science partner for decades. From elementary through AP Environmental Science, our teachers build their curriculum around our field study with your education team. Getting our students out of the classroom for real-life experiences on the Sound creates powerful learning for our students.”
– Rob de Andrade, Assistant Director of Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment Supervisor of STEM, Stamford Public Schools
Oceanography on the Sound
A deep dive into marine systems.
This immersive oceanography expedition invites students to use concepts from biology, physics, and chemistry to investigate how Long Island Sound functions as an interconnected system and how it is changing over time. Throughout the trip, students will use scientific equipment and research techniques to explore life in the Sound, on the seafloor, and the impact of changing water conditions. By collecting and analyzing data from different aspects of Long Island Sound, students experience how oceanographers work across scientific disciplines to understand the complexities that affect a marine ecosystem.
ACTIVITIES
Overview of Activities:
Climate and Water Analysis
Students will help deploy a 6-bottle CTD rosette to conduct water quality sampling and testing using a variety of scientific methods. The CTD array models real in-field and on-board scientific research, as it provides real-time temperature and conductivity readings over the course of its descent and collects multiple water samples at a variety of depths. Students will use the water samples to conduct several tests, including temperature, salinity, nitrate, and turbidity using assorted scientific equipment. After recording their measurements, students will discuss historical trends, compare their findings, and investigate how water quality parameters can inform environmental monitoring, human activity, and responses to climate change.
Seafloor Mapping
Students will use side-scan sonar to explore parts of the Sound many never experience, recording and analyzing important seafloor data in the process. Using the R/V Brewer’s sophisticated towfish apparatus, students are able to map the seafloor and identify differences in seabed composition and texture. By engaging in seafloor mapping and analysis efforts, students are invited to consider the implications of the technologies they are making use of and the impacts they have on environmental monitoring in Long Island Sound.
Marine Species Assessment
Students will conduct trawls aboard the R/V Brewer to assess Long Island Sound marine species populations’ distribution and diversity. After hauling in their catch, students will identify, sort, count, and measure individuals collected in the net. Students will record their data and compare the species’ presence and abundance they observe to historical data. Data analysis will facilitate a discussion about Long Island Sound animal populations’ thermal tolerance, species redistribution, population trends, and climate change’s local effects. Students will learn about fish tagging and monitoring protocols and, when possible, perform fish tagging while on board, contributing to longitudinal studies and deepening student connections to learning by participating in conservation efforts.
NGSS ALIGNMENT
SCHEDULE
PRICING
NEXT STEPS
“I have been impressed by how my students – from core level to AP– all get excited by getting out of the classroom and learning on Long Island Sound. Whether it’s on the Schooner or at the Harbor Center, they are doing science they’ve never tried before and they’re enjoying it.”
– Aimee Reutzel, Teacher, AP Environmental Science and AP Biology, Danbury High School, Danbury CT
Middle School Science Experience
Real Science. Real Research. On Long Island Sound.
Bring science to life aboard the R/V Brewer, SoundWaters state-of-the-art research vessel. Students become marine scientists for the day, using professional research equipment to collect data, investigate marine ecosystems, and explore the environmental challenges facing Long Island Sound.
Watershed Expedition
A Hands-On Marine Science Adventure for Middle School Students.
This expedition on the R/V Brewer offers the unique experience of learning about the Long Island Sound Watershed from the water and an opportunity to learn from the local ecosystem the ways our communities are deeply connected to the health of the Sound. Using state-of-the-art scientific equipment, students will collect and analyze water samples, investigate water quality, and examine microscopic organisms that serve as indicators of ecosystem health. Through hands-on benthic trawling, students will discover and identify marine life living beneath the surface. Students will leave with practical marine research experience, a deeper understanding of the Sound’s ecosystem, and an appreciation for their role in protecting the Long Island Sound Watershed.
ACTIVITIES
Overview of Activities:
Water Quality Analysis
Students will help deploy a 6-bottle CTD rosette to collect water samples and test water quality. Students will use scientific equipment to test parameters including temperature, salinity, nitrate, and turbidity on water samples collected by the CTD. Students will gain an understanding of different water quality parameters, practice methods of testing them, and discuss how their measurements contribute to environmental monitoring efforts.
Benthic Trawl
Students will conduct trawls aboard the R/V Brewer to assess Long Island Sound marine species populations. After hauling in their catch, students will identify, count, and measure individuals collected in the net. Assessing current trends allows students to better understand Long Island Sound animal populations’ thermal tolerance, species redistribution, and climate change’s local effects. Students will learn about fish tagging and monitoring protocols and, when possible, perform fish tagging while on board, contributing to longitudinal studies and deepening student connections to learning by participating in conservation efforts.
Plankton Sampling
Students will collect a plankton sample to identify and record phyto- and zooplankton species’ presence and abundance in Long Island Sound surface waters. Using a sample collected in a manta trawl net deployed and towed behind the boat, or, for a more interactive experience, smaller handheld plankton nets, students will use microscopes in the R/V Brewer wet lab to observe Long Island Sound plankton communities and identify different species. Students will also visualize plankton using a larger screen connected to a microscope to aid in identification efforts. The unique experience of seeing, identifying, and comparing plankton species allows students to gain a deeper understanding of plankton’s impact on the ecosystem and the consequences that changing plankton populations may have on Long Island Sound’s ecosystem balance.
NGSS ALIGNMENT
SCHEDULE
PRICING
NEXT STEPS
“I have been impressed by how my students – from core level to AP– all get excited by getting out of the classroom and learning on Long Island Sound. Whether it’s on the Schooner or at the Harbor Center, they are doing science they’ve never tried before and they’re enjoying it.”
– Aimee Reutzel, Teacher, AP Environmental Science and AP Biology, Danbury High School, Danbury CT
Want to learn more? Check out the FAQ.
Is the R/V Brewer for all ages?
The R/V Brewer is designed and outfitted to teach upper-level science, primarily to middle and high school students and college students. The vessel’s deck layout is not ideally suited for elementary students. The Schooner SoundWaters is an ideal learning experience for elementary school students.
What is the capacity of the R/V Brewer?
The R/V Brewer can accommodate 30 passengers. This includes all students, teachers, and chaperones.
Where do we board the R/V Brewer?
To minimize travel time for schools, the R/V Brewer is designed to access most coastal communities on Long Island Sound. Your school should be able to meet the vessel at the coastal community closest to your school.
What is the itinerary for our trip?
NEED A SAMPLE ITINERARY FOR AN R/V TRIP.
What will you teach on the new vessel?
In an era of a changing climate and the growing problem of microplastics, we have the ideal classroom in Long Island Sound to help students understand the science behind these very big subjects that will impact their futures. Students will use sophisticated equipment to collect and test water quality and compare it to historical data to see the changes over time. They will conduct trawls to bring up animals from the depths to learn their anatomy and the characteristics that make them uniquely adaptable or threatened by changing conditions. The on-board curriculum will align with State science standards to amplify classroom learning and create a rich and memorable educational environment.
What is the cost to bring my students on the R/V Brewer?
The cost to SoundWaters of a two-hour trip is $2,000. Thanks to SoundWaters donors, every school will receive an automatic $500 credit towards their trip. We recognize that school budgets vary and we are committed to making learning on the R/V Brewer accessible for all schools so further financial aid is available to schools based on need. Contact SoundWaters Director of Education, Christina Genz, at cgenz@soundwaters.org to discuss your school’s eligibility for financial aid.
$2,000 SoundWaters cost for a two-hour trip on the R/V Brewer
$1,500 Full cost to schools for a two-hour education sail
$1,125 Cost to schools with 25% of students on free/reduced lunch
$750 Cost to schools with 50% of students on free/reduced lunch
$150 Cost to schools with 75% or more students on free/reduced lunch
How do I get my students onboard?
If you are a teacher and want your students to learn on Long Island Sound on the R/V Brewer, we want to talk with you. Complete the form below and we will can start a conversation. The new vessel will be on the water mid-2027 and we expect available dates to fill quickly so the sooner you contact us, the better the chances you and your students will be aboard.
What happens in the event of poor weather or rough seas?
All programs are rain or shine, unless severe weather conditions are expected. R/V Brewer hosts heated and air-conditioned indoor lab space, and partial cover on the aft deck for wet conditions.
How far in advance should I book a trip for my class on the R/V Brewer?
Trips are scheduled on a first-come, first-served basis. School trips will begin in September 2027. Fill out the form below to learn more
Are there restrooms and shelter on board?
R/V Brewer is equipped with an enclosed, climate-controlled lab space and bathroom.
Do students need prior boating experience to participate?
No prior experience is required! Vessel crew and educators provide a comprehensive safety briefing before leaving the dock, and life jackets will be worn on board.
What should students wear/bring on board?
Layered clothing (it is often significantly cooler and windier on the water than on shore), a windproof or rainproof outer shell, closed-toe non-slip shoes, sun protection (sunscreen, sunglasses, hat), and a reusable water bottle.
Want to get your students on-board? Start Here.
What They’re Saying
“SoundWaters was my first serious exposure to the environment and Long Island Sound. When I look back and wonder why I care about the environment, it’s because of SoundWaters.That experience planted a seed of environmental stewardship.”
– Aaron Hilliard,
SoundWaters Alumnus,
Firefighter, Hackensack, NJ
