Civil, Environmental, and Geospatial Engineering News

Students learn environmental stewardship through planting, monitoring, birding at Torch Lake Superfund site

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

From Tech Today, by Joan Chadde.

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.”

From Tech Today, by Sponsored Programs.