For several years now, the town's Shellfish Commission and the students in Daniel Hand High School's marine science and technology classes have been working together on the beaches, in the creeks and rivers, and along the shores of Long Island Sound taking water samples, measuring oyster growth, seeding shellfish beds, and undertaking other tasks that all hope will eventually lead to a renewal of the shellfish industry in Madison.

It has been partnership a that has worked well. The Shellfish Commission benefits from the extra help and extra hands. The students take the classroom outside. Two years ago the commission and the students agreed to take on another project together-one that would have the students building their own classroom.

In the fall of 2008, the marine science and technology classes, under the direction of teachers Mike Docker and Bryan Amenta, began construction of a workboat for the Shellfish Commission.

Earlier this month, the results of their efforts were celebrated as they moved the boat out of the high school's workshop and onto a trailer. The "roll-out" followed an inspection by Officer John Chickos of the state Department of Environmental Protection and the presentation of the boat's hull identification number.

The boat is patterned after the Brockway scows, which were built for many years in Old Saybrook. The scow is well designed for the commission's work along the waters of the rivers and Sound. The construction and outfitting was made possible through grants from the Madison Foundation and the Erwin C. Bauer Charitable Trust Fund and through the leadership of Amenta, who has previous boat-building experience.

Throughout the year, the students from the marine science and technology classes undertake a series of field trips focusing on projects with the Shellfish Commission. With the scow completed, the students have literally succeeded in building their own classroom. They will put it to use next fall.

In the coming year, a grant from the Wilbur W. Pardee Youth Fund will support a hands-on project in the study and restoration of hard shell clams in Madison, another project designed and shared by students and the commission. With it, the building of the workboat will come full circle. The students use the scow in the Pardee hard clam project.

The workboat is now in need of an outboard motor in the 115 hp range and with a 25-inch shaft. The Shellfish Commission is hoping that someone in the community will donate a gently used motor to this unique boat and project. Contact Stephen Nikituk, chair of the Shellfish Commission, at 203 245-3781 or stnikituk@comcast.net if you have a motor to donate. As always, the Madison Shellfish Commission is looking for volunteers to help in a variety of activities.