The Teaching with Small Boats Alliance (TWSBA) will host its 2013 conference at Mystic Seaport. This year’s conference is geared toward maritime organizations and educators who use small boats as teaching tools. The four-day gathering facilitates collaboration and idea sharing among organizations and individuals who teach math and science through hands-on boat building projects.

TWSBA’s mission is to support an alliance of organizations that give young people an awareness of and resulting pride in their learning potential. This is accomplished through the hands-on study of the maritime arts, its history, and its relationship to success in science, technology, engineering, and math. TWSBA works to improve the effectiveness of its member organizations by sharing information and best practices that promote the values of scholarship, craftsmanship, ingenuity, self-discipline, and a true sense of accomplishment.

The 2012 conference drew 90 participants who shared best practices from their programs through hands-on workshops and formal presentations. Organizers are incorporating feedback from last year’s conference to address a wider range of subjects, from support for start-ups to workforce development, and have added an additional day to allow for more hands-on workshops and small group interaction.

Conference Schedule

Tuesday, October 15

• 9 am-5 pm – Visit Mystic Seaport on your own (optional). Your name will be on a list at the front gate.
• 4-5 pm – Registration at Latitude 41° Restaurant
• 4:30 pm – Onboard Joseph Conrad, Orientation for those sleeping aboard
• 5-9 pm – Opening dinner in the River Room at Latitude 41°

Wednesday, October 16 – Friday, October 18

• 8-9 am – Coffee and tea in the Boatshed at Lighthouse Point
• 9 am-noon – Workshops and breakout sessions, various locations around Lighthouse Point
• 12-1 pm – Lunch (included in registration fee)
• 1-5 pm – Workshops and breakout sessions
• Dinner on your own. Evening events may be scheduled Wednesday and Thursday nights.