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About The Columbia press. (Astoria, Or.) 1949-current | View Entire Issue (May 29, 2020)
May 29, 2020 T he C olumbia P ress 8 Missing travel? Take a journey with maritime museum’s miniboats Columbia River Maritime Museum and Pacific Power invite the public on an adven- ture that can be taken from one’s easy chair. The adventure begins today, May 29, via livestream. It’s the first in a series of three on- line distance-learning events involving the 5-foot boats, which are equipped with global-positioning satellite system. The “Mighty Miniboat Float” program provides an unusual educational opportu- nity that introduces students to ocean science, internation- al exchange, and all STEAM fields (science, technology, engineering, arts and math). Hosts for the online sessions are Nate Sandel, the muse- um’s education director, and Alisa Dunlap, Pacific Power’s North Coast community man- ager. Student shipbuilders, rep- resentatives from the Co- lumbia River Bar Pilots, Shaver Transportation, and other guests will participate. “Miniboats have the power to create a substantial and lasting impact, and we are delighted to bring their might into local homes to help in- spire even more students and families,” Sandel said. “We’ve seen these boats capture the imagination of our students, but also many people from around the world who en- How to ‘ride along’ Photos courtesy CRMM Above: A crowd gathers at Columbia River Maritime Museum at the beginning of the launch ceremony in January. Below, left: A Columbia River Bar Pilot takes one of the miniboats for launching off the coast. Below, right: Nate Sandel, CRMM education direc- tor, addresses the crowd, which included Sen. Betsy Johnson. counter the boats, help with a rescue, or simply follow the boats’ progress online.” The museum’s Miniboat Program is in its third year, with more than 59,000 nauti- cal miles traveled to date. Pa- cific Power began providing support for the program this year, including company en- gineers who helped students install solar panels on mini- boat decks. “These students will become our future engineers, problem solvers, and leaders, and it’s The livestreamed series can be viewed on the museum’s Miniboat Facebook page and YouTube channel. More details are on the museum’s website. • A Miniboat’s Big Adven- ture, noon to 1 p.m. today, May 29. The first livestream covers the Wy’East relaunch near the Port of Vancouver from a Shaver tugboat. • Thar She Blows!, noon to 1 p.m. June 5. The second livestream introduces the role of wind and currents, as partic- ipants check in on the fleet and discuss the vessels’ progress. • The Mighty Columbia, noon to 1 p.m. June 12. The third livestream explores how a busy river works, in a look at the industry and communities that depend on the region’s biggest river. It includes inter- views with bar pilots, ship cap- tains, and tugboat operators. why programs like this mat- ter to Pacific Power and busi- nesses across Oregon,” Pacific Power President Stefan Bird said. Through the program, stu- dents take on roles as quarter- masters, sail designers, keel engineers, cargo trackers, and documentarians. Along the way, they learn real-world skills and make friends over- seas while they track the boats, which are packed with mementos curated by the stu- dents. This year’s boat were made by seventh graders at War- renton Grade School, fifth graders at Columbia City El- ementary School and seventh graders from Wy’East Middle School in Vancouver, Wash. The three schools are part- nered with schools in Japan. The boat launched by Wy’East washed ashore after its ocean launch earlier this year. They’ll relaunch the boat on the Columbia River to- day, before making a second launch attempt at sea. The Miniboat Program was developed by the Columbia River Maritime Museum in partnership with the Japa- nese Consulate in Portland, Educational Passages, and the National Oceanic and Atmo- spheric Administration. Following the 2011 earth- quake and tsunami in Ja- pan, debris from the country washed up on Oregon and Washington shores. One of the items, a fishing vessel, is on display at the Columbia River Maritime Museum. The boat and its journey across the Pacific Ocean became the inspiration for the Miniboat Program. Since the program’s 2017 start, 1,213 students on both sides of the Pacific have launched 24 miniboats. Cyclist: Wyoming man begins four-state journey from Clatsop County Continued from page 1 Orlando and thought I should turn it into a fundraiser.” Money raised from his ride will go to the Alzheimer’s As- sociation Wyoming chapter to increase awareness of the dis- ease and fund research. Alzheimer’s is the sixth lead- ing cause of death in the Unit- Patrick Graham takes a selfie while riding with his friend, Mark Wells, across Montana last summer. ed States, taking more lives each year than breast cancer and prostate cancer combined, said Janet Lewis, executive di- rector of the Alzheimer’s As- sociation’s Wyoming chapter. In one of his first blog posts, Graham writes, “Coming out of a quarantined lifestyle, courte- sy of COVID-19, I fear that it may be easy for all of us to slip back into a life of complacency. A life where we continue to live in a culture of indulgence and How to help To donate or learn more, go online to cycleforlife.club/2020- ride. Checks also can be sent to Cycle For Life, 1607 Capitol Ave., 2nd Floor, Cheyenne WY 82001. consumerism. … Like a thief, stealing our ability to appreci- ate the world around us.” Graham will post updates, photos and videos from the ride documenting his progress throughout the journey. Ped- al power keeps his electronics (phone, computer, camera) charged during the ride. “Diet and exercise play a key part in preventing your- self from getting Alzheimer’s,” Graham said. “I can’t change how everybody lives, but this is on the rise because of mod- ern-day conveniences. We grab food on every street cor- ner.”