The Center for Instruction, Technology & Innovation (CiTi BOCES) has been awarded funding through the Sanctuary Community Fund, a program of the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation, to support two innovative summer initiatives focused on marine science education and stewardship of Lake Ontario.

Through this funding, CiTi BOCES will implement Sanctuary Scholars: Education & Exploration on Lake Ontario, a $100,000 project designed to provide both teacher professional development and a weeklong summer camp experience for students entering grades 4 and 5. The program will immerse students and educators in hands-on learning centered on the Lake Ontario National Marine Sanctuary, fostering a deeper understanding of the region’s unique underwater ecosystem, maritime history and environmental stewardship.

In addition, the Weston T. Hyde Education Foundation has been awarded $10,384.80 through the same funding initiative to support Next Gen Sanctuary: Underwater ROV Lab. This project will fund the purchase of underwater remotely operated vehicle (ROV) equipment, which will be donated to the CiTi BOCES P-TECH program. Students participating in the summer program will design, build and test underwater ROVs while exploring careers in marine technology and practicing responsible stewardship of the sanctuary.

“These projects represent an exciting opportunity to connect students and educators to the incredible natural resource we have in Lake Ontario,” said Brian Heffron, Administrator of Workforce Development & Community Relations at CiTi BOCES. “By combining hands-on exploration with real-world applications, we are helping students build both knowledge and a sense of responsibility for protecting our local environment.”

Both initiatives are part of a broader effort to expand access to marine science education and inspire the next generation of environmental stewards and innovators across the region.

Support for these programs was provided in part by a contract from the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation under Federal Award NA24NOSX429C0001.

For more information about the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation, visit marinesanctuary.org.

For more information about the CiTi BOCES Summer Camp, visit CiTiboces.org/SummerCamp.