Contact: Jennifer Rogers; 517.327.5908; jrogers@masb.org
Sarah Sant; 517.327.5907; ssant@masb.org
Newsroom, www.masb.org
April 21, 2006
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
The Western Upper Peninsula Center for Science, Mathematics
& Environmental Education of the Copper Country Intermediate
School District is giving new meaning to excellence in education.
The Center created an innovative environmental service learning
program, in partnership with the Environmental Protection Agency,
where area high school students collect data on the recovery
of the Torch Lake Superfund sites, help to educate the local
communities, and learn the real meaning of ‘being a scientist.’
The Western Upper Peninsula Center is one of 30 recipients
of the 2006 Education Excellence Awards, announced the Michigan
Association of School Boards (MASB). These programs will be
honored Tuesday, May 9 at a luncheon in Lansing hosted by MASB
and SET SEG School Insurance Specialists, the exclusive sponsor
of this year’s awards.
“Student achievement is on the rise in Michigan. These
local programs truly contribute to Michigan’s rigor, relevance
and relationships in public education,” said Justin King,
MASB executive director. “School districts across the
state should look to these programs for leadership.”
Each school or district will receive a trophy and a metal street
sign proclaiming it an “Education Excellence Winner.”
Winners will also move to the second round of judging to determine
if they are one of “Michigan’s Best”—with
winners receiving a cash award.
Entries are judged by an independent panel of state education
specialists. Winners are selected based on uniqueness, the critical
need served and evidence of impact on student achievement. More
than 200 entries were received from districts across the upper
and lower peninsulas. The winners are listed in a searchable
database on MASB’s Web site (www.masb.org) and in a directory
mailed to every school district in the state.
Media representatives are welcome and encouraged to attend
and enjoy the luncheon. Please call Jennifer Rogers or Sarah
Sant at 517.327.5900 if you plan to attend.
Michigan Association of School Boards
2006 Education Excellence Award Winner—Copper
Country County
Program Name: Torch Lake Project
Western UP Center for Science, Math & Environmental Education
Copper Country Intermediate School District
Category: Service Learning
Program Coordinators: Shawn Oppliger & Joan Chadde, 906.482.0331
or 906.487.3341
When the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency asked if any
local schools would be interested in monitoring recovery of
Torch Lake, five high schools in Copper Country answered the
call. Since the fall of 2003, high school classes at Calumet,
Chassell, Hancock, Dollar Bay-Tamarack City and Lake Linden-Hubbell
have been monitoring the recovery of five locations within the
Torch Lake Superfund Area. One hundred years of copper mining
in the Keweenaw had left portions of the shorelines of Torch
Lake, Calumet Lake and Lake Superior covered by millions of
tons of stamp sand creating a hot, dry environment inhospitable
of plant and animal life, and exposed to wind and water erosion.
Today, students conduct the monitoring as part of their coursework
in chemistry, biology and environmental science classes. Students
evaluate plant and bird diversity, rooting depth, soil fertility
and biomass production. The EPA and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
provide technical assistance and an once-in-a-lifetime professional
mentorship. This is a wonderful example of true service learning
addressing a real community need and shows commitment to sustaining
a powerful program over time. Everyone wins with ecological
recovery—the students, the community and the planet!
Dennis Harbour
Copper Country Intermediate School District
809 Hecla St
Hancock, MI 49930
(906) 482-4250
dharbour@copperisd.org
Monitoring
Ecological Recovery of the Torch Lake Superfund Sites: Photos
Archive Web Page
Engaging
HS Students in Monitoring Remediation of a Local Superfund Site
