Awards and Accolades

North American Association for Environmental Education

NEMIGLSI - UL Innovative Education Award Program 2016

Michigan Science Teachers Association (MSTA) Awards

Meag Schwartz - Informal Science Educator of the Year 2026

Stephanie Dege-Goebel - Dan Wolz Clean Water Education Grant Winner 2025

Liz Thomson - Teacher of Promise 2024

Luke Freeman - High School Science Teacher of the Year 2025

Jenny Schroeder - Special Award for Advocacy in Science Education 2025

Becky Heckman - Middle School Science Teacher of the Year

Brandon Schroeder - Informal Science Educator of the Year 2017

Tracy D'Augustino - Informal Science Educator of the Year 2018

Stephanie Dege-Goebel - High School Science Teacher of the Year 2024

Michigan Alliance for Environmental and Outdoor Education (MAEOE) Awards

Daniel Moffatt - Recognition Award 2025

Savannah Obert-Pfeiffer - Recognition Award 2025

Brandon Schroeder - William Stapp Award 2011

Michigan Nature Association (MNA) Awards

Liz Thomson - Fredrick W. Case Jr. Environmental Educator Award 2025

Michigan Association of School Boards (MASB)

Marine Debris Prevention - Protecting our Great Lakes: Posen Consolidated School District - Stephanie Dege-Goebel

MSTA 2025 Awards Pictured from left to right:
Savannah Obert-Pfeiffer, Meag Schwartz, Stephanie Dege-Goebel, Jenny Schroeder, Luke Freeman, Tracy D'Augustino, Brandon Schroeder

The NEMIGLSI network has received numerous accolades recognizing the strength of place-based education (PBE) strategies that foster environmental stewardship and civic engagement values among youth in northeast Michigan. Anchored in PBE scholarship, NEMIGLSI continues to contribute to related education initiatives and the growing body of PBE scholarship at both the state and national levels.

Publications

Place-Based Stewardship Education: Nurturing Aspirations to Protect the Rural Commons (Peabody Journal of Education)

PLACE-BASED EDUCATION: Engagement from the Student Perspective (Rote, Schroeder, D'Augustino)

Engaging Youth in Great Lakes Stewardship through School-Community Partnerships and Place-Based

Education Practices (Green Schools Catalyst Quarterly)

Place-Based Education Engagement from the Student Perspective front cover of offical publication

From NEMIGLSI Students to Leaders

Educator Liz Thomson helping student gather the diameter of a Scots Pine

Liz Thomson: Graduate of Alpena High and current Middle School Science Teacher at Alcona Community Schools. Click the image below to watch their testimonial.

Selfie of Julia Butch outdoors in winter landscape

Julia Butch: Graduate of Alpena High and works as a community partner with the NEMIGLSI Network. Click the image below to watch their testimonial.