Center for Science and Environmental Outreach

Everything from Algae to Zooplankton

Young scientists sample the freshwater food chain through GM’s Ride the Waves at Michigan Tech’s Great Lakes Research Center.

Whitefish bellies, lard-filled olives—and a boat ride on Michigan Tech’s 36-foot Research Vessel Agassiz. Just the thing to hook elementary students on science, technology, engineering and math.

Funded by General Motors (GM) since 2013, Ride the Waves gets about 700 students per year out on local waters and into GLRC labs to work side-by-side with Michigan Tech students, staff and faculty. The goal: to better understand the freshwater environment and factors that affect it, from phytoplankton to mining waste.

Teacher Professional Development at Belle Isle Aquarium

July 19, 2017
Sue Hill
CEE, CLS, COE, CSA, K-12, Teacher Professional Development

Belle Isle Aquarium Outreach — Students at Belle Isle Aquarium

Joan Chadde is in Detroit this week conducting a four-day teacher institute at the Belle Isle Aquarium as part of an National Science Foundation Innovative Technology Experiences for Student and Teachers (ITEST) grant project.

The project’s goal is to increase the interest of diverse students in science and science careers. This summer institute is a collaboration with Wayne State University (Jeff Ram, PI) and the Belle Isle Conservancy.

Learn more about summer institutes for teachers.

Agassiz at Strawberry Festival 2017

There were free scientific excursions aboard Michigan Tech’s research vessel Agassiz from 1 to 6 p.m. Saturday, July 8, 2017, during the Strawberry Festival. Excursions departed from the Chassell marina.

VIEW THE PHOTO ALBUM

“How do scientists assess the health of Lake Superior” was the focus of the free scientific excursions. The public was invited to sign up for a 30-minute scientific excursion.

On each scientific excursion, Marcel Djkstra, a graduate of Michigan Tech and currently a Great Lakes scientist at the University of Wisconsin, demonstrated the use of sampling equipment to collect data on: water clarity, temperature, and turbidity that tells us about the health of the lake—and Chassell Bay. Participants explored the link between land uses and the health of the Great Lakes.

Remotely-Operated-Vehicle (ROV) demonstrations were also conducted from the Chassell Marina dock by Michigan Tech Great Lakes Research Center researchers throughout the afternoon.

“Copper Country residents and visitors are encouraged to learn how scientists study the Great Lakes and which measurement indicate a healthy lake,” explained Joan Chadde director of the Center for Science and Environmental Outreach, who has coordinated this program as part of Strawberry Festival since 2006.

“These scientific excursions for the public have been extremely popular. Youth and adults enjoy the opportunity to interact with Great Lakes scientists and get their questions answered,” adds Chadde.

The event is coordinated by the Michigan Tech Center for Science and Environmental Outreach and Michigan Tech’s Great Lakes Research Center, and funded by the GM Ride the Waves Program. The GM Ride the Waves Program puts more than 600 Copper Country youth and adults on the water each year to learn about the Great Lakes and Lake Superior and promote STEM careers. Additional financial support is provided by the Michigan Tech Great Lakes Research Center and the Chassell Lions Club.

Engineering, Computer Summer Camps for KBIC Middle Schoolers

Middle school students from Baraga and L’Anse will be attending an Engineering Exploration summer camp at Michigan Tech this week. It is the second of three week-long science camps requested by the Keweenaw Bay Ojibwa Community College STEM Outreach Department and funded by a 4-year US Department of Education STEM education grant.

Engineering Exploration will cover “What is Engineering,” chemical engineering, biomedical engineering, civil engineering and bridge building, transportation engineering, environmental engineering and materials engineering. It will run from 10 am to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday at the Great Lakes Research Center Room 104.

A summer camp called Mathematica and Computer Applications will be held July 10-14 in the Forestry computer lab. Students will learn about geographic information systems (GIS), data collection and processing, base maps, importing and adding data from the world, making and editing a web map, mathematics and the Wolfram language, defining functions, Raspberry Pi, basic circuits and using sensors.

The camp will wind up with a Quiz Bowl. For more information, contact Joan Chadde, jchadde@mtu.edu.

By Jenn Donovan.

STEM Summer Camp 2017 — Bethany Klemetsrud teaches summer camp students.

Keweenaw Bay area middle school students explore engineering in MTU summer camp

In partnership with Michigan Tech, the Keweenaw Bay Ojibwa Community College STEM Outreach Department is going above and beyond for your typical summer camp. Today is part of a three week-long series of summer camps requested by the KBOCC. STEM, which stands for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, encourages students to be exposed to those respective fields at an early age.

They’re getting exposed to a lot of different disciplines and a lot of possible career paths that they could choose Joan Chadde, Director of the Center of Science and Environmental Outreach

Engineering Exposure: STEM learning wrapped in summer fun for middle schoolers

HOUGHTON — Some middle school students from Baraga and L’Anse spent the week at Michigan Technological University learning everything from the logistics of running railroads to how to handle a remotely operated vehicle.

Detroit Area Engineering Students Participate in Summer Youth Programs

The Michigan Chronicle published a story about the Detroit Area Pre-College Engineering Program (DAPCEP), mentioning that Michigan Tech is one of DAPCEP’s partners. DAPCEP students will be attending Summer Youth Programs at Tech in July. Sixteen high school students from Detroit and southwest Michigan will explore Natural Resources & Engineering majors and possible careers from July 26 – July 1st. This is the third year the program has been conducted.

Students will investigate invasive species and forest biomaterials with faculty scientists at School of Forest Resources & Environmental Science. Dr. Marty Auer and recent graduate environmental engineering graduate and past NSBE president, Terrianna Bradley, who also hails from Detroit, will take students on the water to sampleaquatic life aboard MTU’s Agassiz research vessel in Lake Superior, including a lab experience to identify plankton and analyze fish stomachs.

Faculty from Mechanical Engineering, Civil & Environmental Engineering, and Electrical Engineering. In addition, students will experience national and state parks and forests, wildlife refuges, and nature sanctuaries, including an overnight at the MI Department of Natural Resource RAM training center in Roscommon.

Coordinated by Michigan Tech Center for Science & Environmental Outreach, contributions from the following covers the students’ transportation, meals, and lodging: Michigan Technological University School of Forest Resources & Environmental Science, College of Engineering, Departments of Civil & Environmental Engineering and Mechanical Engineering, Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Michigan Tech Transportation Institute, Admissions, Housing & Residential Life, Great Lakes Research Center & Center for Diversity & Inclusion.

Summer Elementary School Science Camp 2017

Making Tinkering Inventing — Making, Tinkering and Inventing

Michigan Technological University is reaching out again to keep local elementary and middle school students engaged this summer.

Today’s first and second grade class focused on Making, Tinkering and Inventing.

They have to design a helmet for the egg. So, that is their problem to solve. Joan Chadde

Showcase of LSSI Projects at Upcoming Community Events

Summer 2017

Find out what Lake Superior Stewardship Initiative (LSSI) teams are doing. Many are partnered with Michigan Tech faculty and departments, including CEE, SFRES, etc.

The public is invited to attend one of these upcoming LSSI-sponsored community events.
Contact Joan Chadde or the lead teacher for more information or directions.

Noon to 1 p.m. May 26, 2017. Hancock Middle School Garden Planting Day at Hancock Middle School (Jen Davis, lead teacher)
9 a.m. – 2 p.m. June 1-2. Houghton High School – School Forest Research Project Presentations in high school auditorium. (Lauri Davis, lead teacher)
Noon to 2 p.m. June 2, Washington Middle School, Calumet Township Park (Darrell Hendrickson, lead teacher).
6 to 7:30 p.m. June 5, Baraga Middle/High School outside the school building. Fun Run, Veggie Kabobs, Garden/Greenhouse Tours. (Lori Wisniewski and Ben Johnston, lead teachers.

Kudos to all the great stewardship work going on and the hard work of LSSI teachers to provide a rich learning environment for their students.

Natural Resource and Engineering for Genesee County Students

High School Students Can Win A FREE 6-Day Trip to:

Explore Natural Resources & Engineering at Michigan Technological University (Michigan Tech) in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan!!

Monday – Saturday, July 10-15, 2017

(includes free transportation, meals & lodging)

STUDENT REGISTRATION FORM ONLINE | STUDENT REGISTRATION FORM PRINT | VIEW THE FLYER

OPEN to all High School students in Genesee County who want to explore engineering forestry, water quality, fisheries, more!

**Up to 15 high school students from Genesee County will be selected to participate. Talk to your teacher!

What YOU will do …

In the forest, investigate invasive species, ID trees, collect amphibian data.
On the water, sample aquatic life & collect data aboard a research vessel in Lake Superior;
In the lab, examine plankton, engineer a process to clean water;
Tour a college campus, stay in a dorm, eat in the dining hall;
Learn about engineering and natural resources majors and careers.
Experience national and state parks, wildlife refuges, and nature sanctuaries with experts at Michigan Technological University and in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula!!

HOW TO APPLY

Complete application form online 2017 Michigan Tech Trip – Genesee County
Describe what you hope to gain from this experience and your past experience with natural resources, engineering and environmental stewardship;
Email or mail ONE letter of recommendation (from non-family member, such as a teacher or community member) to: jchadde@mtu.edu
Deadline extended to Friday, June 9!

A team of educators, university staff, and resource specialists will select participants in mid-May.

A mandatory Parent Meeting will be held in mid- June.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:

Leyla Sanker| Discovering Place | University of Michigan Flint | lsanker@umflint.edu | Tel: 248-892-9329

Joan Chadde | Michigan Technological University |jchadde@mtu.edu | Office: 906-487-3341

Coordinated by Michigan Tech Center for Science and Environmental Outreach with generous funding from GM and the Ride the Waves Program at Michigan Tech’s Great Lakes Research Center.

Additional funding from Michigan Tech School of Forest Resources and Environmental Science, College of Engineering, Departments of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Michigan Tech Transportation Institute, Admissions, Great Lakes Research Center.

Great Lakes Investigations Aboard Michigan Tech’s Research Vessel Agassiz

for Students in Grades 4-12 ~ Fun! FREE! Educational!

Dates: May 25 – August 30, 2017

SCHOOL REGISTRATION FORM | VIEW THE FLYER | VIEW THE PHOTO ALBUM

Michigan Tech’s Ride the Waves Program 2017 invites Copper Country youth in Grades 4-12 to join scientists from Michigan Tech’s Great Lakes Research Center in the exploration of Lake Superior, Portage Waterway and Torch Lake. There are four programs to choose from that will accommodate 18 youth and chaperones.

Aquatic Food Web & Lab Investigation (3-hour session, 1.5 hrs on Agassiz &1.5 hrs in lab at the Great Lakes Research Center). Find out how scientists investigate water quality and collect samples to examine in the lab. Find out “what makes a lake trout?” All ages students.

Mine Waste Remediation & Torch Lake Restoration (4-hour session, 2 hrs on Agassiz & 2 hrs on land; meet at the Lake Linden marina). The copper mining and milling history of the Copper Country is explored by land and water. Students visit historic copper milling sites, reclaimed mine waste sites, and the bottom of Torch Lake. Ideal for Grades 6-8 students.

Navigation Exploration (4-hour session, 2 hrs on Agassiz & 2 hrs in classroom at the Great Lakes Research Center) Students use chart dividers and compasses to determine the Agassiz’s position on a navigational chart and then navigate the Agassiz to a new location. Students will use algebra to determine the accuracy of their navigation. Ideal for Grades 8-12 students.

Lake Superior’s Ring of Fire (4-hour session on Agassiz) Explore an area in Lake Superior where the shrimplike organism Diporeia is up to 20 times more abundant than in any other part of Lake Superior! How does this affect the Lake Superior food web? Ideal for Grades 9-12 students.

REGISTER ONLINE: RTW 2017 Registration

List all dates and times that work for your group and we will reply and fit you into the earliest available slot. Groups of 5 or more students will be given preference in scheduling, so get with your friends and form a group! Available May 25-Aug. 30, 2017.

The Ride the Waves Program is made possible with a generous grant from General Motors (GM) and Michigan Tech’s Great Lakes Research Center. More than 3000 youth have benefited from GM’s support, now in its 5^th year.

For more Information:

Contact Joan Chadde (jchadde@mtu.edu) or Lloyd Wescoat (lwescoat@mtu.edu) or call 906-487-3341.

Michigan Tech Center for Science & Environmental Outreach at the Great Lakes Research Center.

K-12 Students Learn About Garbology

CALUMET, Mich. (WLUC) — Some fourth grade students at CLK Elementary said the day’s lesson stunk. But that didn’t stop them from digging through trash to learn about waste management on May 9.

Some fourth grade students at CLK Elementary said the day’s lesson stunk. But that didn’t stop them from digging through trash to learn about waste management on May 9.

“We have to do “garbology,” where we get all the garbage from our grade and we’ll have to put on a tarp,” fourth grade student Dawson Kauppinen said. “And we have to separate all the plastic, metal, paper and a bunch of other stuff.”