St. Louis River Quest
May 13-16, 2013
Each May, boatloads of Duluth-Superior area sixth-graders travel through educational stations aboard the Vista Star and in South Pioneer Hall at the DECC. Carrying "passports" to document their adventures, they learn about the St. Louis River ecosystem and related commercial, industrial and recreational activities. During the 2.5-hour "excursions," students are introduced to topics ranging from pollution prevention and stopping aquatic invaders, to boating safety and commercial shipping.
This year, the St. Louis River Quest will draw over 1,400 pre-teens from 16 area schools and additional homeschoolers. Since its inception in 1993, River Quest has provided hands-on learning to over 17,000 students.
After the event, the sixth-graders are encouraged to write about their experiences in an essay or a poem and enter their work in a writing contest. The Ray Skelton Award, named after one of the founders of River Quest, is presented to the winner.
2013 River Quest Sponsors:
Financial support for this year's program provided by:
- Platinum ($1,000+)
- BNSF Railway Foundation, Duluth Public Schools, Duluth Seaway Port Authority, Vista Fleet
- Gold ($500+)
- Graymont (WI) LLC, Holcim (US) Inc., Lake Superior National Estuarine Research Reserve, Marine Tech, Minnesota Power, Minnesota Sea Grant Program, NewPage, Sappi Fine Paper, US Army Corps of Engineers, USDA Forest Service - Superior National Forest, Western Lake Superior Sanitary District
- Silver ($250+)
- Azcon Corporation, Gavilon Grain LLC, Hallett Dock Co., Midwest Energy Resources Co.
- Bronze ($100+)
- Allouez Marine Supply, Grandma's Restaurant Co., Lynn Williams Graphic Design
Learning Stations:
Vista Star
- V1. "Cold Hand Luke" Hypothermia & Water Safety
- U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
- V2. It floats, you don't. Wear your life jacket! (M,T)
- Duluth Sail & Power Squadron
- V2. Break the Grip of the Rip (W,Th)
- Twin Ports Rip Currents
- V3. Bringing Back the Piping Plover (M,T)
- St. Louis River Alliance
- V3. Fishy Physics (W,Th)
- Great Lakes Aquarium & MN DNR MinnAqua Program
- V4. Get Habitattitude!
- Minnesota Sea Grant Program
- V5. Pollution & the River Watershed
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
- V6. What is the Es-chew-air-ee?
- Lake Superior NERR
DECC Pioneer Hall
- D1. What is the difference between Storm & Sanitary Sewers? (M,T)
- City of Duluth Utility Operations
- D1. Sustainable Forestry (W,Th)
- NewPage
- D2. Bacteria: The Real Workers at WLSSD
- Western Lake Superior Sanitation District
- D3. We catch all fugitives (M,T)
- Midwest Energy Resources Company
- D3. Great Lakes Cargo Capital (W,Th)
- Duluth Seaway Port Authority
- D4. Industrial Water 3Rs
- Sappi Fine Paper
- D5. Protecting the Environment during an Oil Spill
- U.S. Coast Guard & USCG Auxiliary
- D6. Stream Table
- Superior National Forest
River Quest Video
Students board the Vista Star to learn about the Duluth-Superior estuary and the people who work there. Enjoy a glimpse of history, the St. Louis River, & River Quest.
Credits: Narrated by Ellie and Michael; Music by Michael; Edited by Chris J. Benson; Produced by Minnesota Sea Grant. Photographs: Photographer-Chris J. Benson; Historic Duluth Photos-St. Louis County Historical Society; Learning Station Photos- Special Thanks to all that donated; Vista Star with Slip Bridge-www.vistafleet.com (edited); DECC Map-www.decc.org (edited). Narration Writers: Writers-Kathy Peterson, Sarah Lerohl; Editors: Sharon Moen, Pattie Kolar, Susan van Druten.
Essay Guidelines 
Doug Jensen
