Summer Camp
Summer Camp at a Lighthouse Boothbay region school children participated in summer camp sessions at the Burnt Island Light Station located in the entrance to Boothbay Harbor. Sponsored by generous donors to LENS, sixty children in grades 4-6 spent three days and one night learning about the island's natural and historical resources. Using the 5-acre island as an exceptional, outdoor classroom, participants were fully immersed in their own learning [...]
Hendricks Head Lighthouse
Historic Information In the early 1800s, mariners involved in fishing and maritime trade were in need of a navigational aid to guide them safely in and out of the Sheepscot River. This commercially important waterway was their vital link between the Gulf of Maine and the inland port of Wiscasset, a town recognized at that time to be the busiest seaport north of Boston. Just fifteen miles [...]
Wood Island Life Saving Station
Historic Information The Wood Island Life Saving Station built in 1908 housed brave “surfmen”, that were part of the US Life Saving Service (a forerunner of the US Coast Guard). They would wait with small rowing boats to go out to help mariners in distress in terrible conditions year round. In 2022, the nonprofit Wood Island Life Saving Station Association (WILSSA) took on the enormous task of [...]
KEEPERS’ KLIPPINGS
Keepers' Klippings Lighthouse Education & Nautical Studies has submitted it's first article to the Boothbay Register. At least once a month, we will pull from lighthouse keeper logbooks, newspaper articles, letters and other primary sources from Maine's keepers, beginning with the Boothbay Region's Lights. Available for your reading pleasure by clicking the links below. Article - Intro to Keepers' Klippings Article - A Day in the Life of a [...]
Ram Island Lighthouse
Historic Information For centuries, sheep were raised on uninhabited islands where they could roam freely without fencing and predators. After breeding season, the Ram Island was likely used to segregate male sheep from the ewes on neighboring Fisherman's Island, a mere 165 feet away. These two islands, and nearby Hypocrites ledges, were navigational hazards for vessels entering the easterly passage into Boothbay Harbor. Protests from local fishermen [...]
The Blue Planet
Earth - The Blue Planet Planet Earth has been called the "Blue Planet" because a large portion of its surface is covered by water. On Earth, we take liquid water for granted, however, liquid water is a rare commodity in our solar system. In this activity from The Rocky Shore Curriculum, students will discover how much ocean covers the Earth’s surface. They will collect data while tossing an inflatable [...]
Habitats
Aquatic Habitats The aquatic world is comprised of a variety of freshwater, saltwater, and brackish habitats. Besides the open ocean, marine habitats include: intertidal zones, sandy shores, rocky shores, salt marshes, estuaries, kelp forests, seagrasses, coral reefs and more, while freshwater habitats include: rivers, streams, lakes, ponds, swamps and more. Students should research and describe each habitat listed on the flow chart. Use their information and the attached habitat [...]
Burnt Island Lighthouse
Historic Information The federal government purchased the five-acre Burnt Island for $150 from Jacob Auld and Joseph McCobb. Located at the entrance to Boothbay Harbor, Burnt Island Lighthouse is Maine's oldest "original" tower because it has never been altered since its construction in 1821. The lighthouse is made from rough cut granite and is referred to as rubblestone. It is believed that the granite blocks were harvested [...]
Sailors’ Valentines
Sailors' Valentine A sailors' valentine is a form of shell-craft usually purchased by a sailor to bring home for a loved one. Made of numerous small shells glued to an octagonal-shaped base, it has a symmetrical design composed of small sea shells of various colors glued onto the backing. Patterns often feature a centerpiece shell, sentimental message or photograph, hence the name sailor valentine. Download [...]
Nautical Charts
Nautical Charts In this activity, students explore the importance of nautical charts to navigation on ocean waters. A chart of locations can be downloaded online or purchased at NOAA or marine supply stores along with navigational tools needed to plot a course. Students learn to read the chart's major features after becoming familiar with its symbols. After this activity, students should be able to: Identify major features and read the [...]
MAINE LIGHTHOUSE LICENSE
Buy A Maine Lighthouse Plate & Support Lighthouse Preservation The Maine Lighthouse Trust was formed as a nonprofit to support the lighthouse community using funds collected from the purchase of a specialty license plate. LD266 “An Act to Create the Maine Lighthouse Trust Registration Plate” which was passed by the legislature and signed by Governor Mills on May 04, 2021 is officially law! The new plates have been produced [...]
Creature Classification
Creature Classification Dichotomous keys are used to identify and classify objects (i.e. people, animals, plants, bacteria, etc.) into specific categories based on their characteristics. It’s the most commonly used form of classification or type of identification key used in biology as it simplifies identifying unknown organisms. “Dichotomous” means divided into two parts, hence they present two choices based on key characteristics of the organism in each step. By correctly [...]
What’s Happening?
What's Happening in these Photos? Using historic photographs of lighthouse keepers, describe what they are doing. Form an overall impression and then examine individual items by dividing the photo into quadrants. What new details become visible of people, objects, and activities? What questions does this photograph raise in your mind? Where could you find answers to them? Download
Crack the Code
Crack the Code Using several communication techniques, students will be able to send messages and identify objects. Download
Sea Shanties
Sea Shanties Sea shanties are songs or chants used on ships to synchronize the men on board ships as they worked. The rhythmic cadence of the shanty was necessary when a strong unified force was needed when pulling anchor or raising sails. The songs also brought a feeling of solidarity to the crew and uplifted the spirits of the sailors. Download Portland Town [...]
Lighthouse Tangram
Lighthouse Tangram Using the provided template, use tangram blocks to create a lighthouse. Download
Marshmallow Lighthouse Challenge
Marshmallow Lighthouse Challenge Teams will use spahegtti.......to build the tallest lighthouse Download
Cuckolds Lighthouse
Historic Information At the outer entrance to Boothbay Harbor, passing the two small islets known the Cuckolds was a dreaded experience for mariners at night and in foggy conditions. In 1874, the construction of a black tripod on the southern end of the eastern rock served only as a day-marker. After mariners filed numerous petitions, Congress appropriated $25,000 on March 3, 1891 for the construction of a [...]
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