| Great Lakes
Education
By educating students, teachers and residents
of all ages about the Great Lakes, Michigan Sea Grant works to
build a knowledgeable public and promote the principles of natural
resource stewardship. |
Great Lakes Education Program
More than 7,000 fourth-grade students, teachers and volunteers participated
in the popular Great Lakes Education Program (GLEP) in 2002, bringing
the total number of participants to more than 39,000 since 1991.
Coordinated by Michigan Sea Grant Extension, GLEP introduces Michigan’s
fourth-grade students to freshwater concepts in the classroom and
provides hands-on learning via educational cruises on the Clinton
River, Lake St. Clair and the Detroit River in Southeast Michigan. |
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Traditionally underrepresented populations,
including 1,787 minority students and 964 adults, participated in
GLEP in 2002. Partnerships with the Huron-Clinton Metropolitan Authority
(Lake Erie Metropark, Metro Beach Metropark), Downriver Career Technical
Consortium, the United Parcel Services Foundation, and Wayne County
Parks Department contributed significant support for the GLEP program,
leveraging an estimated $65,000.
GLEP Summer Discovery Cruises debuted in 2002, offering vessel-based
education for the general public on a pilot basis. Summer Discovery
Cruises, conducted in partnership with Lake Erie Metropark, were
very positively received and represent an opportunity for program
growth. |
National Ocean Sciences Bowl
Eleven high-school teams from Michigan and Ohio competed in February
at the Sixth Midwest Regional Competition of the National Ocean
Sciences Bowl, sponsored in part by Michigan Sea Grant. The event
is one of 24 regional competitions held around the nation designed
to promote literacy in science and mathematics through improved
understanding of the world’s oceans and Great Lakes. |
Congressman John Dingell (D-MI) passes out
awards to students from Port Hope High School, winners of the
2003 Midwest Regional National Ocean Sciences Bowl. |
Great Lakes Natural Resources
Camp
First-hand experience is a key element of the Great Lakes Natural
Resources Camp, sponsored in part by Michigan Sea Grant. Thirty-nine
students, ages 13-15, attended the week-long camp in 2002, learning
about Great Lakes coastal processes, fisheries, wetlands, and many
other Great Lakes topics. The camp has been shown to increase students'
awareness and understanding of natural resources ecology and management,
foster leadership skills and stimulate career interests. The camp
is held in northern Michigan, with educational support from Michigan
Sea Grant Extension.
Knauss Marine Policy Fellowship
Two students recommended by Michigan Sea Grant received Knauss Marine
Policy Fellowships in 2002. The prestigious fellowship, sponsored
by the National Sea Grant College Program, enables top students
from around the nation to work on Great Lakes and marine policy
issues in Washington, D.C. for one year. In 2002, Michigan’s
Knauss Fellows worked for the Senate Commerce Committee, Subcommittee
on Oceans and Fisheries, and in the office of Representative Frank
Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ). |
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