Category: Outreach

Is your house drafty? Does your roof grow prize-winning icicles? Are energy bills eating up your budget? Have energy vampires invaded your home? The Portage Lake District Library invites kids and their families to learn how to become a Sherlock “Homes” energy detective and search for clues to energy waste from 6 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, November 3, 2015.

Participants will learn ways to cut energy losses in their homes and save money. Families will participate in several fun, hands-on activities. “Inspector Gadget” will show how to use a Kill-o-Watt meter to measure energy use of household items and a “Draft-o-Meter” will show how to measure air leaks. With “Keep It Hot, Keep It Cold,” participants will compare the insulating properties of different materials. “Watt’s the Best Light Bulb?” will teach how to measure the light and temperature of different light bulbs and in “Where Are the Leaks?,” temperature with and without insulation will be compared. A free drawing for items from the Homeowner’s Energy Saving Treasure Chest will begin at 7:30 p.m.

This Energy Education Program is coordinated by the Western U.P. Center for Science, Mathematics and Environmental Education with support from the Houghton Energy Efficiency Team (HEET) and Michigan Tech.

From Tech Today, by Portage Lake District Library.

Community Outdoor Nature Programs for Families are free and open to the public. Below are the upcoming sessions.

• 7:30 -11:00 a.m. Saturday—Trapping and observations of birds and small mammals, with Jesse Knowlton and Dan Haskell (SFRES). Find out what lives at the Marsin Nature Area. The Keweenaw Land Trust is looking for citizen scientists (no experience necessary) to help document observations of birds, small mammals, and other wildlife on the property. Guided hikes will leave the Retreat at 8 a.m., rain or shine.

• 6-7:30 p.m., Monday—Making Apple Cider (bring your own apples and jugs to take home) with Chris Hohnholt (SFRES), at Nara Nature Center.

What to Bring: Dress for the weather and wear good walking shoes.

This program is funded by the Michigan Association of Environmental Professionals and coordinated by the Western U.P. Center for Science, Math and Environmental Education and the Michigan Tech Center for Science and Environmental Outreach. For more information, call 7-3341.

From Tech Today.

“Discover How Insects Prepare for Winter”, 6 -7:30 p.m. tonight, September 28, 2015, at Nara Nature Center, with Jim Bess. Observe preserved insects and the tools of the entomologist then take a hike to find some insects.

What to Bring:  Dress for the weather. Wear good walking shoes. Ring rubber boots (optional).

This program is free and open to the public. Funding provided by the Michigan Association of Environmental Professionals and coordinated by the Western U.P. Center for Science, Math & Environmental Education and the Michigan Tech Center for Science & Environmental Outreach. For more information contact the Center by calling: 7-3341

From Tech Today.

The Michigan Tech Center for Science & Environmental Outreach is coordinating a monthly outdoor program for families and children. Two programs focused on nature exploration are planned each month through December—Monday evenings and Saturday afternoons. There is no need to register and no cost to attend; all are welcome.

Attendees can expect a variety of presenters who will lead each program focused on a different topic. Events are designed to engage parents and children in nature outdoors in a various locations. Information on the events are as follows:

• Sept. 26, 2 p.m. at Brown Nature Sanctuary—Collecting and identifying of aquatic insects at Lake Perrault and Nature Hike with Joan Chadde, water resource specialist
• Sept. 28, 6 p.m. at Nara Nature Center—”How do insects prepare for winter?” with Jim Bess, entomologist
• Oct. 10, 7:30-11 a.m. at Marsin Nature Center—Trappings and observations of birds and small mammals with Jesse Knowlton and Dan Haskell (SFRES)
• Oct. 12, 6 p.m. at Nara Nature Center—Apple cider making (bring your own apples and jugs) with Chris Hohnholt (SFRES)
• Nov. 7, 2 p.m. at Maasto-Hiito Chalet—Leaf and needle ID: “Do you know what’s growing in your backyard?” with Denise Landsberg, outdoor science educator
• Nov. 16, 6 p.m. at Nara Nature Center—Sensory night hike; discover your senses coming alive at night, with Marcy Erickson, outdoor science educator
• Dec. 7, 6 p.m. at Nara Nature Center—Luminary night walk at the Nara Boardwalks with Marcy Erikson, outdoor science educator
• Dec. 12, 2 p.m. at Nara Nature Center—”Finding your way: Compasses and treasure hunts” with Denise Landsberg, outdoor science educator

As with any outdoor event—dress accordingly for the weather. For more information call 7-3341 or visit wupcenter.mtu.edu.

From Tech Today.

2015 Lake Superior Water Festival
Great Lakes Research Center
Wednesday, September 30, 2015

Registration is open! Teachers can now register their high school classes to attend an exciting array of activities that will increase students’ knowledge of Great Lakes science, engineering, history, careers, and more! During each half-day session, students attend four 35-minute activities.

Learn more at the Western Upper Peninsula Center for Science, Mathematics and Environmental Education.

Lake Superior Water Festival

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, September 30, 2015. 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 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.

From Tech Today, by Joan Chadde.

Registration for the End of Summer Science Camp is open until Aug. 24. Camps take place from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 1-3.

Grades 1-3: Nature at the Nara Center

Enjoy time outdoors at the Nara Nature Center exploring trails, wildlife and plants. Make nature observations, play games and do nature crafts as a fun way to end summer vacation. Drop off at the Nara Nature Center.

Grades 4-6: Science and Nature Explorations in the Great Outdoors

This group will spend the 1st day at the Great Lakes Research Center engaged in forays around campus. On Day 2 & 3, they’ll explore the Keweenaw Land Trust’s Marsin Nature Area with bug, wildlife and aquatic experts. There will be time to play games, read stories, write poetry, daydream and record observations in journals. Weather permitting, there will be water activities. Drop off at the Great Lakes Research Center. A Michigan Tech van will transport students to Marsin Center on Wednesday and Thursday. Please note on the registration form if you will drop off your student at the Nara Nature Center at 9:30 a.m. and pick up at 3:30 p.m.

The number attending is limited to 20 students for Grades 1-3, and 15 students for Grades 4-6. Cost is $135 per student and attendees must bring their own lunch. You can register online or by contacting wupcenter@mtu.edu. For more information, call 7-3341.

From Tech Today, by Center for Science and Environmental Outreach at Great Lakes Research Center.

The beauty and bounty of Lake Superior will be celebrated Sunday at the Third Annual Lake Superior Day in Copper Harbor. Community volunteers, along with the Lake Superior Stewardship Initiative, are organizing the festival with lots of special activities at the 6th Street Dock along the Copper Harbor Boardwalk. Activities include:

• Community picnic ($5 donation suggested)
• Canoe races and kayak demonstrations
• Interactive art (paint the model freighter)
• Remotely-Operated-Vehicle demonstrations by Tech’s Great Lakes Research Center
• Presentation on the health of Lake Superior by Great Lakes scientist Martin Auer (CEE)
• Live music, poetry and more

From 1-4 p.m. a special highlight is the opportunity for festival attendees to find out how scientists study the Great Lakes by taking a 40-minute scientific excursion aboard Michigan Tech’s research vessel, Agassiz. The excursions are part of the Ride the Waves Program funded by a grant from General Motors. The Agassiz will depart every 45 minutes from the Isle Royale Queen dock beginning at 1 p.m. Participants must be at least seven years old, and children must be accompanied by an adult. All participants should wear closed-toe shoes. Space is limited and those interested may pre-register by calling 7-3341 or email Lloyd Wescoat at lwescoat@mtu.edu. Lake Superior Day is celebrated throughout the Lake Superior basin on or close to the third Sunday in July in many communities around Lake Superior. Learn more about Lake Superior Day events around the lake.

From Tech Today, by Joan Chadde.

Copper Harbor to celebrate 2015 Lake Superior Day with fun for all July 26

COPPER HARBOR — Celebrate Lake Superior Day in Copper Harbor from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, July 26, 2015. Celebrate the beauty and bounty of Lake Superior! Copper Harbor community volunteers, along with the Lake Superior Stewardship Initiative, are organizing the 3rd annual Lake Superior Day Festival with lots of special activities at the 6th Street Dock along the Copper Harbor Boardwalk (near Isle Royale Queen boat dock).

Read more at Keweenaw Now

People celebrate Lake Superior Day

COPPER HARBOR – Some people were listening to science talks. Some were paddling in canoes. Others were simply eating grilled corn and looking out over the water.

Read more at the Mining Gazette, by Garrett Neese (subscription required).

The Michigan Tech Center for Science & Environmental Outreach will conduct a family engineering event from noon-3 p.m. August 6 at Houghton’s Kestner Waterfront Park. The event is part of the Keweenaw Science and Engineering Festival. A total of 15 volunteers are needed to help. No prior experience is necessary It is hands on and will be fun for all ages, but targets elementary students and their parents. However, many of the engineering challenges work for middle/high school ages and beyond.

The volunteers will monitor and encourage participants in ten to 12 short, self-directed activities of three to five minutes each. Also needed are one or two volunteers for each of the engineering challenges, about four or five. A 40 by 60-foot tent will be set up for the activities.

An optional practice session will be held at the Great Lakes Research Center the day before the family event. To sign up, email your name, cell phone number and academic major or department to jchadde@mtu.edu. Learn more about the Keweenaw Science and Engineering Festival.

From Tech Today, by Joan Chadde.

Sun, sand, science
Festival intended to spark STEM interest

Read more at the Mining Gazette, by Meghan Marquardt (subscription required).