Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant won two APEX 2011 Awards for Publication Excellence, both in the category Green Materials. Irene Miles, communication coordinator, and Susan White, graphic designer, won for the IISG impact statement series titled Impacts: Today and Tomorrow. These four publications describe the program’s success stories and ongoing projects related to aquatic invasive species, unused medicines, land use planning, and water resources. 

The second APEX award goes to Robin Goettel, associate director for education, for the 4-H curriculum Sensible Disposal of Unwanted Medicines. This booklet provides five inquiry-based lessons to help high school youth understand the harmful effects of improper disposal of medicines and what they can do to help. Robin shares this award with Natalie Carroll of Purdue University Extension, Whitney Siegfried, who is now at the University of South Dakota, and Deb Eisenmann, a freelance designer. 

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Ripple Effects is a collection of 8 activities for grades 6–12 that introduces students to aquatic invasive species in the Great Lakes.Through research, reporting, and role-playing games, students will:✅ Explore how non-native species arrived✅ Understand why they threaten native ecosystems✅ Investigate their impact on the Great LakesAligned with Next Generation Science Standards and Great Lakes Literacy Principles, this curriculum is perfect for engaging students in real-world science and stewardship.🔗 visit the link in bio to learn more
Graduate students: don’t miss your chance to advance your research and expand your professional network! The 2026 Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant Graduate Scholars Program is now open for applications. Whether your work focuses on coastal resiliency, Great Lakes science, water resources, or community engagement, this opportunity offers funding and professional development to support your graduate research. Learn more and apply today — opportunities like this don’t come every year!👉 Read the full details at the link in bio.