New schools often have ceremonial ribbon cuttings and celebrations to mark their openings — but not quite like this.
Last month, champagne bottles crashed against the hull of a new New Jersey’s newest classroom. The first-of-its-kind, electric-powered learning experience – part classroom, part boat – trades biology and science posters on brick walls for fresh air and real nature.
The 49-foot catamaran has 48 batteries, 24 solar panels, and no need to “fill it up regular.”
It’s name is Firefly, and it is the new flagship electric “floating classroom” of the nonprofit Upstream Alliance.
“This boat is hope. It’s fun. It’s whimsical. Firefly,” said Don Baugh, the nonprofit’s founder and president.
Later this month, the boat will be making a trip from Maine to Camden, where it will find its new home at the Wiggins Park Marina.
It will be the latest step in reconnecting the Camden community with its neighbor, the Delaware River, Baugh said.
“We saw Firefly as a critical piece in that kind of reconnection of the city to a city of waters,” Baugh said.
