A partnership of

Copper Country & Gogebic-Ontonagon Intermediate School Districts and Michigan Technological University

Serving schools and communities in Houghton, Baraga, Gogebic, Ontonagon and Keweenaw Counties

Website: http://wupcenter.mtu.edu/

For Immediate Release

March 18, 2002

For More Information, contact:

Joan Chadde 906- 487-3341

Great Lakes Aquarium Assembly Programs To Visit Area Schools

Nearly 2,000 students in elementary, middle and high schools in Houghton, Baraga, and Ontonagon counties will participate in assembly programs this week conducted by Great Lakes Aquarium educator, Margie Menzies. Menzies is visiting schools from March 18-22 to conduct one-hour assemblies about Lake Superior and the Great Lakes. This week of assembly programs is being coordinated by the Western Upper Peninsula Center for Science, Mathematics and Environmental Education. See the attached schedule for the school, date, time and location of each assembly. The Great Lakes Aquarium which features displays about the freshwater lakes of the world with special emphasis on Lake Superior, opened in August 2000 in Duluth, Minnesota.

“These assembly programs are a perfect way for us to share some of the fun educational programs available at the Aquarium with students who live around Lake Superior,” explained Menzies.

Each year for the past six years, the Western U.P. Center has hosted an assembly program for area schools (in recognition of Earth Day, though not always during the week of Earth Day) in order to enhance students’ understanding and appreciation for the history, culture, ecology and geology of where they live.

“These assembly programs contribute to the Center’s mission of creating scientifically literate and environmentally committed citizens, scientists and future leaders of the Upper Great Lakes region,” explains Joan Chadde, education program coordinator for the Western Upper Peninsula Center for Science, Mathematics and Environmental Education. “This is the third year that the Great Lakes Aquarium has come to the Copper Country to conduct assembly programs¾as they have developed new assembly programs each year. They are a definite favorite with local schools!”

Schools may choose any of the following assembly programs:

(1) Great Lake Superior

This assembly features a full cast of characters that will educate and entertain students about the origins, animals, and diverse human history of the Lake Superior region.

(2) HEADs Up Underwater!

Students will experience a high-energy, interactive assembly featuring the fascinating characteristics of fish and fish habitat that focuses on these key concepts:

Habitat - needs and requirements for suitable homes;

Ecology - food chains;

Adaptation – the behavior and body characteristics of fish for living in a water environment;

Diversity - fish identification and life history of some fascinating fish.

(3) Great Lakes of the World

During this assembly program, students will explore some amazing great lakes of the world from cultural, physical and biological perspectives, as they enhance their understanding of the scarcity and importance of freshwater resources. Did you know that 57 percent of the world's available surface freshwater is contained in just three lake systems? Do you know where these lakes are?

For more information, contact Joan Chadde of the Western Upper Peninsula Center for Science, Mathematics and Environmental Education at 906- 487-3341.

To find out more about the Great Lakes Aquarium, visit their website: http://www.glaquarium.org

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