Middle school students at Wellan Montessori School in Newton were thrilled to take part in an annual innovative science project — constructing and launching a turtle-shaped drifter as a part of a research partnership with the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

This year’s drifer, affectionately named Pablo Picasso, is the third to be deployed by students in the program’s six-year history.

After each launch, teachers say the transmitter on the drifter sends back data that students use to study ocean currents, weather, and environmental patterns.

“We use this to gather information about ocean currents over the course of the year as part of their lessons on oceanography and climate change,” said Amy Perrault, a Middle School Math and STEM teacher at Wellan Montes

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