Sinkholes and Shipwrecks
Educators and scientists team up to explore Lake Huron

Twenty educators from around the Great Lakes region joined scientists and outreach specialists in Alpena, Michigan in August
for a week-long workshop exploring Lake Huron—from sinkholes and shipwrecks to fisheries and fossils.

The ecologically and culturally diverse shoreline of northern Lake Huron provided an ideal backdrop for the Lake Huron Exploration Workshop, sponsored by the Center for Ocean Sciences Education Excellence (COSEE) Great Lakes in partnership with the Great Lakes Sea Grant Network. The interdisciplinary workshop is one of a series of workshops and events designed to promote Great Lakes and ocean sciences in formal and informal education.

Field trips and hands-on learning complemented a host of scientific presentations given at the NOAA Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary, Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Center. Throughout the week, educators hiked through coastal wetlands, examined the microbial life of sinkholes, measured Thunder Bay’s water temperature and clarity, and snorkeled at the site of a famous shipwreck.

“It was an enlightening experience,” says seventh-grade science teacher Dwight Sieggreen. “All these years growing up in Michigan, there was so much I didn’t know about the Great Lakes. Now I do.”

Elementary, middle and high school educators came from seven states to attend the workshop, along with educators from Shedd Aquarium, and Cranbrook Institute of Science. Joining them were research scientists and outreach specialists from more than 20 state and federal agencies and academic institutions.

‘A Whole New World’

Early presentations gave participants a flavor of the area’s unique attributes. Following an overview of the area’s geological features, research scientist Bopaiah Biddanda of Grand Valley State University presented research on sinkholes in the Great Lakes region—the freshwater equivalent of marine vent ecosystems. Participants visited a nearby sinkhole to examine surface karst features.

Another favorite activity: snorkeling at the wreck site of the Monohansett, a 100-year-old wooden bulk carrier. The field trip followed a classroom presentation summarizing the archaeological research conducted on site by staff at the national marine sanctuary.

For fifth-grade teacher Anne-Marie Potter, the experience was a memorable one. Having never snorkled before, Potter says, “That in itself was cool,” adding that the combination of field trips and science throughout the workshop led her to appreciate a stronger connection to real-life professions—a captivating idea that she shares with her students: “The whole idea of trying something new, bringing these experiences back and talking to the kids—it opens up a whole new world.”

Fisheries research biologist Jim Johnson of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) Alpena Fisheries Research Station, and University of Michigan research scientist Donna Kashian gave educators an introduction to Lake Huron fisheries and limnology and the many issues currently affecting the aquatic food web.

Participants later conducted their own limnological tests aboard the Pride of Michigan, with assistance from Sea Grant educators. Rotating through shipboard stations, educators collected plankton samples, examined zooplankton and phytoplankton through a microscope, collected and examined benthic life, and measured Lake Huron’s temperature profile and water clarity.

Native American culture and heritage came to life in a presentation given by Nick Reo of MSU Extension, while Native American fisherman Albert LaBlance added a first-hand view of current issues affecting the fishery.

The importance of Great Lakes coastal wetlands was a topic that hit home for many participants following a presentation and field trip led by research scientist Don Uzarski of Central Michigan University. Other presentations throughout the week addressed the challenge of aquatic invasive species, and an overview of sea lamprey history and control strategies in the Great Lakes.

‘It was fantastic,” says high school teacher Jim Corcoran, who appreciated the opportunity to visit actual data collection sites and work with scientists throughout the week. “The interaction with scientists was key to the success of the workshop.”

Adding It Up

Between field trips, educators examined curricula and resources, and explored classroom activities related to Great Lakes and ocean resources.

Participants approach the workshop differently depending on their needs and may take something different from the experience, says Michigan Sea Grant extension educator Steve Stewart, who organized the workshop: “Throughout the week, educators and scientists learned from each other and generated new ideas. You could see the connection: both sides had the light bulbs going on at the same time. Those dynamics were really exciting.”

Educators agreed, and came away with many ideas to enhance learning.

For Michele Arquette, an informal educator at Cranbrook, the activities might influence a new watershed curriculum—a grant-funded initiative that involves visiting classrooms around Michigan.

For his part, Sieggreen foresees multiple uses in his seventh-grade classroom including ideas for games, and activities with fish cut-outs. Even tangible objects—fossils gathered along the coast throughout the week—will find a use. The stones are somewhat fragile, he says, “but kids are mesmerized by them.”

For educator Jim Corcoran, who teaches environmental science to 11th and 12th grade students in Illinois, just 40 miles from Lake Michigan, some of the fisheries data will be the most useful. Analyzing actual MDNR data on length and weight of Chinook and whitefish can reveal a broad picture of their physical condition and overall population health. “We do a lot of statistics in the course,” says Corcoran, “and the real-time data will fit nicely. One of the things kids enjoy is knowing that things are real.”

See: COSEE weblog

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