Erie Days 2011 – Perseus House and Charter School of Excellence Maritime

For Erie Days 2011 Perseus House and Charter School of Excellence Maritime had two amazing chalk drawings. Leading this project were two teachers Jon and Katie Miller from the Charter School of Excellence Maritime and Skills Center. The Maritime students wanted to focus on education and the ship represents the school getting them to their successful education. Perseus House wanted to show that when you do something good for one person they will pass it on to even more people. Both drawings represent our students and clients willingness to do good in the community. Eight students participate in the creating the drawings which took three days.

Student-built robots will undergo water trials at Presque Isle

By VALERIE MYERS, Erie Times-News

Zack Wood, 13, a student at the Charter School of Excellence Maritime Center and David Boughton, maritime education specialist rig a fishing line to an underwater robot built by students at the school. They were testing the robot on April 26 at the Waterworks Pond area of Presque Isle State Park. JACK HANRAHAN/

VIDEO: To see a video of kids who have built water robots, click here..

Underwater robots built with PVC pipe and powered by simple motors sealed inside film canisters will make their first dives at Presque Isle State Park today.

The robots were built by middle school students at the Perseus House Charter School of Excellence Maritime Center in Erie and will go through sea trials at the Waterworks Pond.

The robots were designed to collect plankton and sediment from the lake bottom. Students will be able to test the samples to determine water quality — if their robots do their jobs.

Maritime Center Principal Sharon Kestler is confident that they will. Several students successfully tested their robots at Presque Isle last week.

“They’re so impressive,” Kestler said of the made-from-scratch robots. “We had field-tested them in school in a tank and I thought, ‘OK, they’re neat.’ When I saw them in the water — with the speed that they have and what they can do — it was amazing.”

To read the full story click here »

Programming for middle school-aged students

Perseus House Charter School of Excellence, The Maritime Center offers educational opportunities for students ages 11-14 years, who are better served in this unique setting. The curriculum focuses on a mastery of academic subjects and is aligned with Pennsylvania’s education standards.

Building on a culture of mutual respect and responsibility, The Maritime Center emphasizes hands-on learning, development of critical and creative thinking, computer technology, healthy lifestyles, citizenship and service to others. By partnering with numerous community organizations and volunteer groups, students engage in a variety of learning activities that broaden their vision and awaken their curiosity.

Hands-on environmental studies are also provided and are designed to introduce and reinforce academics, personal growth and citizenship. The Maritime Center offers a dynamic learning environment where each student plays an active role in their education. As they learn new skills, students are encouraged to transfer lessons across experiences and fields of study. Through these skill-building experiences, students develop proficiency while building confidence in themselves as students and as citizens.

The Maritime Center utilizes Erie region’s rich history and traditions, as well as our abundant natural resources to create a one-of-a-kind learning experience for each student. If you are looking for a school that offers small class size, hands-on learning, a talented and caring faculty, and opportunity to learn about Erie’s history and resources, the Perseus House Charter School of Excellence, The Maritime Center is the school of choice for your child.