Courtesy photo Daniel Moffattt gives a presentation to the Delta Kappa Gamma, Alpha Xi Chapter last month.

The members of Delta Kappa Gamma, Alpha Xi Chapter, were pleased to welcome to its January meeting, Sophie Stuart, education and outreach specialist and volunteer coordinator at the Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary in Alpena.

After a luncheon at the First Presbyterian Church in Alpena, Stuart spoke to the group about the classes she and Daniel Moffattt teach at the sanctuary during the school year and the summer programs available to students ages nine years old through 17 years old for snorkeling, underwater robotics, and archaeology.

During the school year, third graders across the region attend a program, Get Into Your Sanctuary, offering three sessions teaching Michigan history, maritime archeology, marine technology and an outing on the glass bottom boat, Lady Michigan, to view shipwrecks. Students in nearby districts come to the museum for these sessions, while the education team goes to outlying districts to present the program and these students only come to the Museum to go out on the glass bottom boat.

Grants fund the program and school districts only need to provide the transportation to the Museum. The goal of this program is to make our students aware of the Great Lakes, the importance of protecting this unique resource and career opportunities connected with the Great Lakes.

Later in the meeting, the group discussed what members will contribute to a gift basket that will be raffled off at our state convention to benefit the World Fellowship.

Lori Vought announced that Lauren Allen, science teacher at Thunder Bay Junior High School, and Mary Lightner, elementary teacher at Besser School, have each received $250 to spend for instructional materials in their classrooms. Allen will use the money to purchase equipment for science projects and Lightner will purchase classroom books.

Our group is also accepting applications for scholarships for students preparing to enter the teaching profession. Eligible individuals must be a full or part-time student eligible for or has previously earned a high school diploma from a school in Alpena, Montmorency or Presque Isle counties.

The student must plan to enroll or is enrolled in college with a junior or senior status. Enrollment must be in a program leading to a degree in education. The applicant must have a minimum grade-point average of 3.0. A completed application must be submitted by April 1 with a copy of a high school or college transcript, two letters of recommendation from non-related persons and a brief statement of educational goals. Contact Lori Vought if you would like more information (989) 464-1509.

The next meeting of Alpha Xi will be held at 4 p.m. on March 9 at the Alpena County Library.