School and community partners explore Great Lakes science opportunities through place-based education practices enhancing STEM education in area schools with the support of the Northeast Michigan Great Lakes Stewardship Initiative
Across northeast Michigan, youth are engaged in citizen science learning opportunities and making a difference in their communities through these place-based education Great Lakes environmental studies. These efforts reflect the work of the Northeast Michigan Great Lakes Stewardship Initiative (NE MI GLSI) network partnering to advance place-based education practices that engage youth in environmental stewardship opportunities across northeast Michigan.
According to Michigan State University Extension, many place-based education conversations center on the theme of “Bringing Great Lakes Science Alive through Place-Based Education.” One Great Lakes literacy principle, promoted through the Sea Grant Center for Great Lakes Literacy, notes there is still much to be learned about the Great Lakes. This presents opportunities for youth to engage in STEM (Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics) and to be part of the Great Lakes science conversations, investigating Great Lakes issues and connecting with research scientists around real world issues.
Through the NE MI GLSI network, students are engaged in E-STEM projects where they are taking on water quality monitoring, habitat restoration, invasive species, biodiversity conservation and other important environmental issues. Youth across northeast Michigan use technology like iPads, GPS units and 3-D printers to engage in the science around environmental issues while engineering underwater ROVs, release mechanisms for Lake Trout fingerlings and trawl net systems to collect micro plastics...