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MEMSEC tells Newport council its floating-classroom and Gateway Center programs are now year-round
Summary
The Memphremagog Science & Education Center told council members it ran 33 floating-classroom trips in 2025, served 695 Vermont students and 80 Quebec students, and secured funding that allows schools to participate at no charge for 2025-26.
Doug Coutts and John Aldridge presented the Memphremagog Science & Education Center (MEMSEC) to the Newport City Council on Nov. 3, describing the organizations floating-classroom programs, bilingual partnerships and year-round plans.
Doug Coutts (board member) framed MEMSEC as a community-led nonprofit that saved and operates the Northern Star vessel as a hands-on classroom for local students. "We preserve what we love and we protect better what we know," Coutts said, summarizing the groups conservation-education philosophy.
John Aldridge, MEMSECs education director, described four program tracks: in-school lessons, Gateway Center lessons (the new onshore space), the floating classroom and field-based lessons. He presented 2024-25 metrics: 695 Vermont students served, 80 students from Quebec, 33 floating-classroom trips (up from 17), and 1,245 visitors to the Gateway Center exhibits. Aldridge noted funders and partners that made free student participation possible, including NOAA, the Vermont Community Foundation and a congressional earmark secured by Sen. Bernie Sanders.
Aldridge emphasized bilingual delivery and cross-border partnerships with Quebec watershed groups and the University of Sherbrooke. The presenters credited volunteers (15 volunteers contributing 120 hours this season) and invited council members and residents to volunteer and attend upcoming Gateway Center events.
Why it matters: MEMSECs expansion increases access to environmental education for Newport-area students and strengthens cross-border watershed collaboration, while free programming reduces cost barriers for schools facing budget constraints. Council members asked clarifying questions about program scale and logistics; presenters committed to follow-up on scheduling and bus logistics for Canadian school visits.
Next steps: Presenters left supporting materials and asked the council to continue facilitating use of the Gateway Center; staff said the city would coordinate closing logistics and provide any requested follow-up information.
