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Northeast Michigan Great Lakes Stewardship Initiative
Lesson Plans and Curriculum
SCUTES NOAA Lessons
Are you a part of the Sturgeon in the Classroom Program? Are you interested in learning more about the ancient fish. Click the link to view teacher resources. SCUTES: Students Collaborating to Undertake Tracking Efforts for Sturgeon | NOAA Fisheries
NEMIGLSI photocopies of SCUTES lessons can be found through the linked Table of Contents
Campus Cleanup
Taking your class on a campus cleanup is a true WIN - WIN! Great for your school and the earth, but also a great way for them to learn outside of the classroom and start to build their stewardship skills. The lesson linked below is pulled from our Taking a Bit Out of Lunchroom Waste curriculum. A great resource if you would like to expand this place-based stewardship project in your classroom. However, a campus (or nearby public space) cleanup offers great lessons in science, math and stewardship.
Please reference the trash data collection sheets listed here as well.
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CLICK HERE TO VIEW INSTAGRAM REEL FROM AN ALCONA SCHOOLS CLEAN UP
Earth Day Bag Project
This "Earth Day Bag" lesson is simple and powerful to bring to your classroom.
It will educate your students on reducing one-time use plastics, give them a chance to get creative with some art and show them how it feels to be a steward in their community!
How it works:
-connect with a local grocery store to get some of their paper bags
-decorate them with Earth Day awareness messages
-return decorated bags to store
Simple and fun!
We supply teachers with a lesson plan and quick videos (in links below!) to share with your students on single-use plastic and how it is affecting our lakes, rivers and oceans.
Please, share your photos with NEMIGLSI when you do this project. We love to see them and will want to celebrate you too!
This link will give you access to the interactive PDF lesson that also includes links to the videos on single-use plastic and our waters: CLICK HERE
Exploring PFAS with Youth
Why should we learn about PFAS?
PFAS are a group of chemicals used in nonstick, waterproof, and stain-resistant materials. They are also used in some firefighting foams. Over time, we have realized that some of these chemicals can be dangerous for humans, animals, and the environment.
PFAS are per- and poly- fluoro alkyl substances. There are thousands of different PFAS molecules, and not all of them act the same. Some have been researched more than others. Teflon, Scotchgard, Stainmaster, and Gore-Tex contain some PFAS molecules. As government regulations and health concerns arise, companies continue to change the molecules they use.
There is still much to discover
The Exploring PFAS with Youth series started in November 2023 and is one way to invite middle school and high school youth into conversations about PFAS and to increase our understanding together. With thousands of PFAS molecules, and more being created, there is still much to discover. We learn more about PFAS as research continues. We recommend you periodically check the Michigan PFAS Action Response Team website https://www.michigan.gov/pfasresponse or the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) PFAS website https://www.epa.gov/pfas .
Acknowledgments:
Exploring PFAS with Youth is a partnership between Michigan State University PFAS Team and Michigan State University Extension and 4-H, with funding in part through the Michigan Sustainable Fund, with AgBioResearch.
Taking a Bite out of Lunchroom Waste
Does your lunchroom generate a lot of waste? Would you like to do something about it?
Taking a Bite out of Lunchroom Waste is designed to provide you and your students with the information and tools to help reduce lunchroom waste and marine debris at a system level. The goal is to help your students discover they have the power to make a difference in their school and community. The process developed through this curriculum will introduce students to trash, how it becomes marine debris and its impact on our Great Lakes. After students explore the problem of marine debris and how we contribute to it, it's important to provide an avenue for them to begin to fix the problem.
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The curriculum provides tools for youth to audit and analyze the waste produced in their school lunchroom. Post-analysis, students will choose one or more target items/categories of waste then brainstorm and research how to reduce it. During their research students may need to interview lunchroom staff, school administrators or other decision makers. They may learn about the rules or laws that must be followed by school lunchroom staff as they design a plan to reduce their targeted waste item. Finally they will advocate for change through a feasibility plan they present to decision makers in their school. We encourage you to engage your students annually in this process, preventing marine debris by reducing lunchroom waste, one bite at a time.
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View Virtual Workshop Training Video Recording Here
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See links below to each component of the curriculum. Reach out the meag@greatlakesstewardship.org with any questions!
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NEXT GENERATION SCIENCE STANDARDS OVERVIEW
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Two examples from northeast Michigan schools are shared in these colorful profile pieces below. There are many fun ways to address lunchroom waste that incorporate even more life and school lessons.
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