Spring
Assembly Programs
Isle Royale: A National Park in
Our Backyard (K-8) ~ April 8, 10, 11, 15, 17
Dear Principals and Teachers:
The Western Upper Peninsula
Center for Science, Mathematics and Environmental Education is pleased to
coordinate the Isle Royale Assembly Program for K-6 schools in the Copper
Country and Gogebic-Ontonagon ISDs during April. The attached schedule
confirms the date, time, and location of the Isle Royale Assembly Programs that
you have selected for your school. Please note the room requirements and
the AV needs of the presenter listed below. Below is a description of the
assembly program to share with your staff, so that they can prepare the
students prior to the assembly program.
Seasonal
Isle Royale park ranger, Jim McGill, will guide students on an exploration of
what makes Isle Royale unique¾six reasons why there is no place on Earth like this national park!
Through images, sounds, and activities, discover the beauty and harshness of living
on Isle Royale. Students will learn
about wolf-moose interactions, the unique characteristics of an island
environment, Isle Royale history, and why we have national parks. Find out what
lessons Isle Royale has to teach us about the whole world.
Wolves
and moose, the wild North Woods forest, ever-changing weather and a cool
climate, and the crystal clear waters and rugged shoreline of Lake Superior
characterize Isle Royale National Park. This wilderness archipelago is 45 miles
long and nine miles wide at its widest point. The park encompasses a total area
of 850 square miles including submerged lands that extend four and a half miles
out into Lake Superior. The archipelago is composed of many parallel ridges
resulting from ancient lava flows that were tilted and glaciated. There is
excellent fishing, historic lighthouses and shipwrecks, ancient copper mining
sites, and abundant wildlife. Roadless Isle Royale is accessible only by boat
or float plane. Isle Royale is relatively untouched by direct outside
influences and serves as a living laboratory and United States Biosphere
Reserve.
PRESENTER: The programs are conducted by Jim McGill, a seasonal park ranger with Isle Royale National Park and a student at Finlandia University. Jim is developing this program as a part of an internship with the Interpretation Branch of Isle Royale National Park, under the supervision of Smitty Parratt.
GROUP SIZE: maximum 150 students
PROGRAM LENGTH: 50 minutes (allow 30 minutes between consecutive programs). Maximum of three programs per day.
LOCATI0N NEEDS: a room that can be darkened; a screen or light surface to project on; an open area for students to do activities.
AV EQUIPMENT NEEDED: extension cord and a projection table with at least 3 plug ins (presenter will bring his own powerpoint projector, laptop, and speaker system).
SET-UP & TEAR DOWN TIME: 30 minutes to set up, and 30 minutes to pack up.
COST:
$75 for first assembly at a school, $25 for each additional assembly
at the same school.