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Science Night Out More than 70 young people and their parents turned out in July for Science Night Out, an evening of songs, music, and science celebrating the Great Lakes. Held at the Ann Arbor Public Library, the evening event began with music by Mustard’s Retreat, a short Great Lakes slide show, and several science activities for preschool through eighth grade. Activities included a video microscope with microscopic animals on slides, a coloring station, a collection of small fish, insects and mud samples on display, as well as a live lamprey tank in the library lobby. Participants also heard from several Great Lakes scientists who spoke on topics ranging from Great Lakes research and education to coastal land use issues, recreation, water quality, invasive species, fisheries and public safety. A second event scheduled in August featured a panel presentation and discussion by three Great Lakes scientists addressing the health of the Great Lakes. Speakers included Bruce Manny, Research Fishery Biologist at the USGS Great Lakes Science Center; Jaci Savino, Branch Chief at the Great Lakes Science Center; and Tom Nalepa, Aquatic Biologist with the Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Both events were held in conjunction with the exhibit Revolutions in Great Lakes Science, which ran from July 17 - August 16. The display featured three dimensional maps of the Great Lakes, photography, scientific instruments, and an array of educational posters and materials. The events and display were sponsored by Michigan Sea Grant, NOAA Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory, U.S. Geological Survey Great Lakes Science Center, the Great Lakes Fishery Commission and the Great Lakes Commission in collaboration with the Ann Arbor Public Library. |