Michigan Technological University ~ Educators’ Science and Mathematics Institute Series

Ecology

of the

Great Lakes

Aboard the

Research Vessel

Lake Guardian

July 7-13, 2002

Applications due:

Tuesday, April 2, 2002

Notification of selected participants by: Friday, April 12, 2002

Sponsors:

Western Upper Peninsula Center for Science, Mathematics and Environmental Education

Michigan Technological University Department of Education and Department of Educational Opportunity

Keweenaw Interdisciplinary Transport Experiment research program in Superior (KITES)

Isle Royale Institute

Wege Foundation

Research Vessel Lake Guardian provided by Great Lakes National Program Office of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

About the Institute

This Institute is designed to teach educators about the physical, chemical, and biological components of the Great Lakes ecosystem, using Lake Superior as the classroom. Educators in any discipline¾science, mathematics, social studies, language arts, creative arts, and technology, as well as, educational outreach staff of math/science centers, state and national parks, universities, cooperative extension programs, and museums, will obtain an excellent foundation for integrating Great Lakes ecology into their curricula or program offerings.

The goal of the one-week course is to enhance the ability and motivation of educators to teach about Great Lakes ecology. The course will have two primary components. The first component of the course will focus on the physical, biological, chemical, meteorological, and geological characteristics of Lake Superior. The second component of the course will focus on the ecological interrelationships of the plants, animals, lake, geology, climate, and human influences on Isle Royale. Mathematics; life, earth and physical sciences; language arts; and social science concepts will be woven into the experience.

Through hands-on data collection and analysis, field trips, lab experiences, and interactions with research scientists, participants will obtain new knowledge and skills that can be adapted to their work with students. Participants will gain a sense of environmental stewardship—by better understanding how past human

activities have impacted the Lake Superior watershed.

Participants will enhance their teaching skills—by sharing ideas and innovative approaches to curriculum development and delivery with other educators, and they will be better able to guide their students’ interest in environmental careers that further the protection of Lake Superior and the Great Lakes. This intensive, interactive, week-long institute is designed to provide educators with standards-based professional development, and the time to plan, discuss, and reflect on their teaching.

Michigan Technological University (MTU) brings together the expertise and experience of four established entities to conduct this Institute: Western Upper Peninsula Center for Mathematics, Science and Environmental Education, Isle Royale Institute, Educators’ Science and Mathematics Institute Series (ESMIS), Keweenaw Interdisciplinary Transport Experiment research program in Superior (KITES).

About the Lake Guardian

The Research Vessel (R/V) Lake Guardian is fitted with state-of-the-art navigational, laboratory, and mechanical equipment. The facilities support the ship’s primary mission of gathering data concerning the chemical and biological conditions of the Great Lakes, and monitoring the pollutant concentrations in the water, sediment, air, fish, and other flora and fauna. To learn more about the ship, visit the website: http://www.epa.gov/glnpo/monitor.html

Location and Accommodations

Lake Superior, Isle Royale National Park, and the R/V Lake Guardian will provide the ideal scientific and natural setting for this exciting learning opportunity. Participants will live aboard the R/V Lake Guardian for the entire week. Participants will share a triple room and bath, eat meals in the ship’s galley, and have access to exercise equipment, as well as the ship’s laboratories. For the first two nights of the Institute, the ship will be docked in Houghton, MI. During the remaining five days of the Institute, the ship will travel to Isle Royale, circle the island, and return to Houghton on the final day of the Institute. For much of the workshop, we will not be within immediate reach of medical facilities or phones.

Course Credit

Participants have the option to take the Institute for three semester hours of credit (extra cost) through MTU Department of Education Educators’ Science and Mathematics Institute Series (ESMIS): ED 5601 Ecology of the Great Lakes. To receive credit, participants need to complete all course requirements aboard ship, and

submit a two-page outline of a teaching/learning unit or program by August 31, 2002.

Institute Requirements

Selection to participate in the Institute requires a commitment to actively engage in all learning activities to optimize the experience for all participants attending. Prior to the Institute, participants will receive a reference list and are expected to begin formulating an idea for their new teaching unit or program. During the Institute, participants will:

§ Share a one-page written summary of their proposed teaching unit or program.

§ Present a session on one of their best teaching ideas. This must be a well-developed pre-planned presentation for their professional peers including substantive content, activity description, teaching aids, handouts, and authentic assessment strategies.

§ Keep a field journal throughout the course.

Following the Institute, participants will design a teaching/learning unit or program on a topic of interest related to the Great Lakes, that reflects effective teaching strategies and meets national curriculum standards. Participants should plan to implement the unit during fall 2002. A two-page outline of the teaching unit must be submitted by August 31, 2002.

Instructors

The institute will be taught by MTU faculty, K-12 master teachers, and invited experts:

Ted Bornhorst, Professor of Geological Sciences and Engineering, Michigan Technological University

*Joan Chadde, Program Coordinator, Western Upper Peninsula Center for Science, Mathematics and Environmental Education, Michigan Technological University

*Mark Gleason, Director, Isle Royale Institute, Michigan Technological University

Sarah Green, Associate Professor of Chemistry, KITES Project Coordinator, Remote Sensing Institute Director, Michigan Technological University

*Mary Hindelang, Research Assistant Professor of Education and Project Coordinator of the Educators’ Science and Mathematics Institute Series, Michigan Technological University

Barbara McTaggart, PhD Hydrogeology, Western Upper Peninsula Center for Science, Mathematics and Environmental Education, Michigan Technological University

Judith Perlinger, Assistant Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Michigan Technological University

Linda Rulison and Ruth Ann Smith, Social Studies/Geography Teachers, Hancock Middle School

Noel Urban, Assistant Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Michigan Technological University

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency scientists and marine technicians

* Course coordinators

General Information

Cost

The registration fee for the 7-day Institute is $430 which includes room, board, field trip transportation, and instructional materials. Participants have the option of taking the course for three semester credits from Michigan Technological University. Tuition costs for Michigan residents are: $684 for non-degree seeking; $1,341 for MTU graduate credit. Non-degree seeking students who have not previously taken courses at MTU must complete an MTU application ($30 application fee). Scholarships for up to 65% of tuition costs may be available for Lake Guardian Institute participants. Scholarship information will be provided upon request. Teachers should contact their local Eisenhower coordinator to inquire about the availability of Eisenhower funding to cover their registration fee.

Professional Education

The credits earned from this Institute can be applied towards an 18 semester-hour approved program of study for teachers working toward their Michigan Professional Certificate. At Michigan Tech University, programs of study are customized to fit the unique needs of each secondary or elementary teacher. Graduate credits may also be applied towards MTU’s Masters of Science in Applied Science Education program. Participants interested in pursuing a master’s program at Michigan Technological University in a field other than education, should contact the department of interest and inquire about the eligibility of credits earned in this Institute.

Websites

Western UP Center for Science, Mathematics & Environmental Education: http://wupcenter.mtu.edu

Environmental Protection Agency–Great Lakes National

Program Office: www.epa.gov/glnpo/monitor.html

MTU Educators’ Science and Math Institute Series (ESMIS): www.ed.mtu.edu/esmis/

Isle Royale Natural History Association: www.irnha.org

Michigan Technological University: www.mtu.edu

Keweenaw Tourism Council: www.keweenaw.org/

Transportation

Michigan Technological University in Houghton, MI is served daily by Northwest Airlines from Detroit and Minneapolis through the Houghton County Memorial Airport in Hancock. The nationwide reservations number for Northwest is 800-225-2525, or visit the Northwest website: www.nwa.com . Commercial taxi service is available from the airport to MTU’s campus and the Lake Guardian ship dock on Houghton’s waterfront for a cost of approximately $9.00 per person. To arrange a taxi, contact Neil’s Taxi Service at 906-482-5515.

How to Apply

To apply, thoughtfully complete and return the enclosed application form, postmarked by Tuesday, April 2, to:

Loret Roberts

Western Upper Peninsula Center

P.O. Box 279 / 809 Hecla St.

Hancock, MI 49930

Tel: 906-482-4520 Fax: 906-482-5031

Applications will be reviewed on a competitive basis by a panel of educators. Participants will be notified by Friday, April 12, 2002 as to whether they are selected. If selected, full registration payment is due by May 31, 2002. Enrollment is limited to 20 participants.

REGISTRATION FORM

Click to open application form.

Questions

For more information regarding the institute, contact Joan Chadde, Western Upper Peninsula Center for Science, Mathematics and Environmental Education, at 906-487-3341 or jchadde@mtu.edu .