SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – Over 250 7th-grade students from Lake Tahoe Unified School District (LTUSD) set sail on the iconic MS Dixie II paddleboat for a day of hands-on environmental learning, hosted by South Tahoe Environmental Education Coalition (STEEC) last month.

Cruising across Lake Tahoe’s crystal-clear waters, students explored a wide array of environmental topics ranging from aquatic invasive species to wildlife identification, all while enjoying a day on the lake. For many students, this trip marked their first experience on a boat.

One South Tahoe Middle School student shared, “I enjoyed being on each deck and talking about [Lake Tahoe] not just from the road or the classroom, but up close and personal.”

While aboard, students learned about sustainable trail use and the seven principles of Leave No Trace with Tahoe Area Mountain Biking Association. South Lake Tahoe Fire Rescue led students in modeling ember storms and home hardening techniques. Students played a recycling sorting game with South Tahoe Refuse, and checked out aquatic invasive species and how to keep them out of Lake Tahoe with Tahoe Regional Planning Agency and Keep Tahoe Blue.

“I love learning from people who work at a specific place and how interactive [the stations] are,” one student remarked.

On the upper deck, students took in views of fire burn scars and notable geologic features with the U.S. Forest Service. The South Tahoe Public Utility District offered a taste-test challenge, inviting students to compare bottled water with Tahoe tap water.

“I liked the taste test because I got to see if I knew the actual Tahoe water and how different it tasted. Plus, I guessed right,” another student said.

This unforgettable educational cruise was made possible by a generous donation from Aramark Destinations. STEEC, a collaborative network of more than 20 local agencies and organizations, provides dynamic, environmental learning opportunities for Lake Tahoe youth.