Torch Lake Education Activities

Torch LakeThe Albany (N.Y.) Times Union published a story about an educational cruise led by Professor Noel Urban (CEE) to teach plant technicians from the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community Natural Resources Department about the impact on Torch Lake of mining and the stamp sands it left. The story, initially published by the Daily Mining Gazette in Houghton, was picked up by Associated Press wire service and made available to member media outlets all over the country.

From Tech Today.

Students observe effects of mining on Torch Lake

Nothing can live in the stamp sands that cover the bottom of Torch Lake, Michigan Technological University Environmental Engineering Professor Noel Urban told a group of young plant technicians from the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community Natural Resources Department.

The KBIC technicians got a chance to see some of those efforts as well, exploring and doing experiments at the Amheek Stamp Mill, also known as the Tamarack City Stamp Mill, where the Environmental Protection Agency had just finished an asbestos cleanup the day before, as well as the Torch Lake shoreline and the Lake Linden Campground.

“We have them collecting scientific data, like do we have good (plant) ground coverage” in areas above stamp sand beaches that have had remediation,” said Joan Chadde, education program coordinator at Michigan Tech.

Read more at AP and the Daily Mining Gazette, by Dan Roblee.

Teachers Participate in Watershed Investigations

Watershed Teacher Institute 2014The Fort Wayne (Ind.) Journal Gazette published an article about two brothers, both high school science teachers, who participated in Michigan Tech’s Great Lakes Watershed Investigations Teacher Institute this summer.

From Tech Today.

Local teachers travel to study lakes

A local high school teacher and his brother were among the group of educators who took part in a weeklong summer program at the Michigan Technological University as part of the Great Lakes Teacher Institute.

 “The classes are really cool because the teachers meet and work with professors and researchers, experts who are very passionate about their fields of study or their research, professionals who really enjoy connecting with teachers from the K-12 level.”

Read more at The Journal Gazette, by Vivian Sade.

Jeon Presents on Driver Response

2014-GLXSAssistant Professor Myounghoon “Philart” Jeon (CLS) presented a project, done in collaboration with Assistant Professor Pasi Lautala (CEE), “Driver Response to Various Railroad Grade Crossings and Hazard Detection,” at the 2014 Global Level Crossing Safety and Trespass Prevention Symposium (2014 GLXS), held at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Aug. 3-8.

From Tech Today.

Adults and Kids Learn About Great Lakes Research

boarding_agassiz50Adults and kids learn about Great Lakes research, fish food web, marine robotics, more …

On July 1, 2014, the Portage Lake District Library and Michigan Tech’s Great Lakes Research Center (GLRC) partnered for a science program that included a ride on the Agassiz from the Portage Library to the GLRC, a visit to a GLRC laboratory to see what’s in the water — using microscopes — and to dissect a fish stomach, and a chance to drive and observe the ROV (Remotely Operated Vehicle) designed by Dollar Bay (Mich.) High School students to photograph what’s under the water.

Read more at Keweenaw Now, by Michele Bourdieu.

Teachers Participate in the Urban Forestry Teacher Institute

Urban ForestryThe Detroit Public Schools website published a feature article about Detroit teachers who participated in the Urban Forestry Teacher Institute on Belle Isle. The Institute is run by Michigan Tech’s Center for Science and Environmental Outreach. See Teachers Participate in the Urban Forestry Teacher Institute.

From Tech Today.

DPS teachers participate in the “Urban Forestry Teacher Institute”

Zakiya Jackson and Diana Koss of Ralph J. Bunche Preparatory Academy and Theresa Clayton of Mark Twain School for Scholars are three Detroit Public Schools’ teachers who participated in the “Urban Forestry Teacher Institute” on Belle Isle June 23-27, 2014.

“The Urban Forest Stewardship Teacher Institute at Belle Isle in Detroit was dynamic,” Jackson said. “The entire week was jam-packed with information, resources and exciting lessons from experts in the fields of forestry, nature and environmental science.”

Read more at Detroit Public Schools.

Great Lakes Teacher Institute at Michigan Tech this Week

Great Lakes WatershedTwelve middle and high school teachers and community college instructors from Michigan and Indiana–including one from Houghton, two from Dollar Bay and one from L’Anse–are in at Michigan Tech this week, studying the Great Lakes and the Lake Superior watershed.

They will be investigating how changes in local watersheds impact the Great Lakes, how teachers can use data and environmental service-learning to address watershed issues, and how teachers and students can create projects that meaningfully address Great Lakes watershed issues and stewardship needs.

For more information, please contact Joan Chadde, jchadde@mtu.edu; 906-487-3341

From Tech Today.