Students from grades first through sixth are taking part in two summer science camps being offered this week at Michigan Tech. The camps are being put on by the Western Upper Peninsula Center for Science, Mathematics and Environmental Education. To see the TV6 News story on the camp, visit: http://www.uppermichiganssource.com/content/news/Students-take-part-in-science-camp-during-summer-break-383007411.html
LAKE LINDEN — Despite some chilly, windy weather and predictions for snow in mid-May, Lake Linden-Hubbell High School 10th grade students spent an afternoon on the shores of Torch Lake planting red-osier dogwoods and dark-green bulrushes, bird watching and installing nesting boxes for birds, and playing disc golf just for fun.
Coordinated by Michigan Tech’s Center for Science and Environmental Outreach, along with EPA and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the students’ monitoring assists EPA’s efforts in charting the progress of the vegetation cap and habitat reconstruction done under the Superfund program. This project is the first of its kind to utilize students for the collection of data for use by EPA.
“Engaging students in learning about, and contributing to, the improvement of their local environment and community, is an excellent way to create lifelong natural resource stewards,” observed Joan Chadde, director, Michigan Tech Center for Science and Environmental Outreach, and a partner on the Lake Superior Stewardship Leadership Team.
Read more at Keweenaw Now, by Michele Bourdieu.
Michigan Tech’s “Ride the Waves Program” invites Copper Country youth in Grades four to 12 to join scientists from Michigan Tech’s Great Lakes Research Center (GLRC) in the exploration of Lake Superior, Portage Waterway and Torch Lake. There are four programs to choose from that will accommodate 17 youth and chaperones. They’re fun, educational and free.
“Aquatic Food Web and Lab Investigation” (three-hour session, one and half hours on the Agassiz and one and a half hours in lab at the GLRC). Find out how scientists investigate water quality and collect samples to examine in the lab. Find out “what makes a lake trout?” All ages.
“Mine Waste Remediation and Torch Lake Restoration” (four-hour session, two hours on Agassiz and two hours 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 middle school students.
“Navigation Exploration” (Four-hour session, two hours on the Agassiz and two hours in classroom at the GLRC). Students in grades four through six will use chart dividers and compasses to make mathematical measurements of distance, angles and lines to determine the Agassiz’s position on a navigational chart. Students grades eight through 12 will use these same skills to navigate the Agassiz to a new location. Using algebra, students will be able to determine the accuracy of their navigation.
“Lake Superior’s Ring of Fire” (three to four hour session on the 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 the lake. How does this affect the Lake Superior food web? Ideal for high school students.
Register online.
List all dates and times that work for you and we will reply and fit you into the earliest available slot. Groups of five or more students will be given preference in scheduling, so get with your friends and form a group.
The “Ride the Waves Program” is made possible with a grant from General Motors to Michigan Tech’s Department of Civil and Environmentanl Engineering (PI: Martin Auer) and the GLRC.
More than 3000 youth have benefited from GM’s support, now in its fourth year. For more Information email Joan Chadde or Lloyd Wescoat or call 7-3341
See schedule:
LLH EnvCareer Tour Schedule 06.01.16 FINAL
For more information, contact:
MTU Center for Science & Environmental Outreach
jchadde@mtu.edu or 906-487-3341
Made possible with funding from the Lake Superior Stewardship Initiative and coordinated by the MTU Center for Science & Environmental Outreach and Western U.P. Center for Science, Math and Environmental Education.
Joan Schumaker-Chadde (CEE/GLRC) is the principal investigator on a project that has received a $5,000 contract from Michigan State University.
The project is titled, “Governance Approaches to Foster Great Lakes Literacy, Identity and Stewardship: An Integrated Assessment.”
2016 Summer Michigan Tech University Summer Teacher Institutes
June 20-24 ED5641 Global Change Teacher Institute
June 27-July 1 ED5601 Engaging Students in Authentic Science Research Teacher Institute
July 11-15 ED 5640 Designing a Sustainable Future Teacher Institute
Application deadline May 1, 2016. Complete teacher institute applications online.
See link after each description below orhttp://wupcenter.mtu.edu/
To register for Michigan Tech credits: MTU Cognitive & Learning Sciences will contact you with registration information (Tel: 906-487-2460)
For more information: Joan Chadde, Institute Coordinator (jchadde@mtu.edu or 906-487-3341)
This 5-day Institute will prepare you to engage your middle and high school students in a real-world study of the effects of global change on ecosystems, including the impacts of climatic change on forests— elevated carbon dioxide and ozone levels, nitrogen saturation, acid rain, and invasive species. Teachers will participate in the MEECS Climate Change workshop and receive the NEW MEECS Climate Change Unit.
Cost: $400 off campus includes five lunches, 2 MTU graduate credits and instructional materials. $700 on campus includes 5 nights lodging & meals from Monday morning through Friday lunch, 2 MTU graduate credits and instructional materials.
Register for Global Change Teacher Institute
Teachers gain skills in designing original research, rather than merely conducting cookbook experiments. Teachers will learn research design methods and procedures, and participate in a variety of research field and lab studies.
Cost: $400 off campus includes five lunches, 2 MTU graduate credits and instructional materials. $700 on campus includes 5 nights lodging & meals from Monday morning through Friday lunch, 2 MTU graduate credits and instructional materials.
The institute will introduce teachers to the field of sustainability through examination of product life cycles, product recycling, repurposing materials, renewable energy sources of wind, solar, and biomass, designing energy- and resource-efficient buildings, site designs to reduce storm water runoff and increase biodiversity, and efficient transportation systems and vehicles. The institute will address the Next Generation Science Standards and be taught by a variety of Michigan Tech University faculty and graduate students, along with community and teacher experts.
Cost: $400 off campus includes five lunches, 2 MTU graduate credits and instructional materials. $700 on campus includes five nights lodging & meals from Monday morning through Friday lunch, 2 MTU graduate credits and materials.
While some folks are planning to relax over the Thanksgiving break, the Michigan Tech Student Chapter of the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE) will be spreading the word about engineering as a possible STEM career path. The MTU students will conduct a Family Engineering event on November 23 at the Academy of the Americas in Detroit. A free supper for families will be provided3:45-4:30 pm in the school cafeteria.Families will attendthree 35-minute activities from 4:30-6:30 pm. This event is made possible with a grant from John Deere to the Michigan Technological University Center for Science & Environmental Outreach who is helping the SHPE chapter prepare for this event. Michigan Tech is a co-developer of the Family Engineering program, along with the Foundation for Family Science & Engineering and the American Society for Engineering Education. To learn more, visit: http://www.familyengineering.org/ For more information, contact co-author Joan Chadde, Director, Michigan Tech Center for Science & Environmental Outreach, at 487-3341 or jchadde@mtu.edu FamEngin Flyer AoA Nov.23.2015
Mystery solved: Sherlock ‘Homes’ event teaches energy-saving skills for all ages
The Western Upper Peninsula Center for Science, Mathematics, and Environmental Education along with the Houghton Energy Team and Michigan Tech hosted an event at the Portage Lake District Library to teach kids the importance of energy-saving skills.
by Joan Chadde
Nearly 500 high school students, in 19 classes from 11 schools in Houghton, Baraga, Gogebic and Ontonagon Counties will flood Michigan Tech’s Great Lakes Research Center today. The GLRC will be a hopping place on from 8:45 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. today for the Fourth Annual Lake Superior Water Festival. More than 15 different sessions will be offered throughout the day, presented by Michigan Tech faculty, staff, students, community organizations, government agencies, authors, artists and photographers.
The Water Festival provides an opportunity for students to learn about and celebrate our most precious natural resource – clean, fresh water. The Festival also serves to inspire interest in STEM careers in science, technology, engineering and math.
The 2015 Water Festival is made possible with funding from Earth Force, Michigan Tech Center for Water & Society, the Great Lakes Stewardship Initiative, and Lake Superior Stewardship Initiative.
See the 2015 Lake Superior Water Festival Photo Gallery
A group of 13 Keweenaw Bay Indian Community youth took part in an immersion experience in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) education and careers, May 26 to 30, 2015 on Isle Royale. The program, entitled “MAAMAADIZI II”, was co-sponsored by the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community, the Cedar Tree Institute of Marquette, the Isle Royale Institute and Michigan Tech’s Ride the Waves with General Motors Program. MAAMAADIZI, meaning “the Journey begins” in the Anishinaabe language, sought to immerse students in a wilderness environment rich in both scientific and spiritual content. A diverse community participated in the Journey, including spiritual advisors, artists, scientists, chaperones, graduate student mentors and KBIC drummers … a grand party of 32 travelers. Isle Royale National Park provided an ideal wilderness setting for this important work.
The Michigan Tech team of 6 members traveled to Isle Royale aboard the R/V Agassiz with Captain Stephen Roblee at the helm; the rest of the party came across on the MV Ranger III. Once on the island, the R/V Agassiz provided transport to campsites, ferry service for on-island field trips and served as a platform for STEM offerings. KBIC students, MTU graduate student mentors and chaperones camped for two nights at Daisy Farm, with the entire party moving to Tobin Harbor Cottages for the last two nights.
STEM Science was presented through water quality measurements (light and temperature sensors, Secchi disk transparency) and collections (plankton and bottom organisms) made in Moskey Basin and in the open lake from the R/V Agassiz. Samples were examined on board using microscopes and dissecting scopes. The STEM Science program was led by Dr. Marty Auer of Michigan Tech supported by graduate student mentors Varsha Raman, Aubrey Scott and Nathan Zgnilec.
STEM Math was presented within the context of mass and compass (on land, Jon Magnuson, Cedar Tree Institute) and vessel navigation (on the water, Stephen Roblee, MTU). Hikes to Mount Ojibway and an R/V Agassiz cruise around ice-encrusted Blake Point to a shipwreck site on the Palisades provided the venue for STEM Math offerings.
Students also participated in Art and Spirit Projects led by artist and illustrator Diana Magnuson of the Cedar Tree Institute. Ken Vrana, Director of the Isle Royale Institute, guided students on hikes and on field trips to Rock Harbor Lighthouse, Edisen Fishery and the Island home of the Isle Royale Wolf-Moose Project hosted by MTU’s Rolf and Candy Peterson.
The Journey was wrapped up with a Feast prepared by the Rock Harbor Lodge, a Ceremony hosted by the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community Drum and an evening campfire with S’mores.
The KBIC, particularly Lori Sherman and chaperones Richard Wickstrom and Katrina Ravindran, deserves special thanks for logistical and financial support. The Isle Royale Institute contributed financial and made other contributions which greatly enriched the experience. The R/V Agassiz and Captain Stephen Roblee were made available through Ride the Waves with General Motors. Wilderness STEM experiences with KBIC youth were originated in 2013 by Jon Magnuson of the Cedar Tree Institute and Marty Auer of Michigan Tech and, with support from General Motors are now in their third year.
