Sea Grant Invasive Species Website Selected for Smithsonian Kiosk

Posted March 10th, 2009 in Aquatic Invasive Species, News, Program
"Top 10 Suspects" board with "wanted" posters of several aquatic invasive species

Nab the Aquatic Invader!, an educational web site about aquatic invasive species (AIS), will be featured at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History as part of the Ocean Today Kiosk in the Sant Ocean Hall. It will also be on display at Coastal Ecosystem Learning Centers throughout the country.

The web site was created by Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant (IISG), which is part of University of Illinois Extension, along with Sea Grant programs in New York, Louisiana, Connecticut, and Oregon to provide the latest information about AIS through colorful characters and a crime-solving theme. Since its inception, the project has expanded to include species from coastal regions around the country.

“In addition to being clever and fun, the site is rich with curriculum for teachers, ideas for stewardship projects, and creative educational activities for students and other online audiences,” said Robin Goettel, IISG associate director for education.

The Ocean Today Kiosk, developed by NOAA in partnership with the Smithsonian Institution , presents news, video stories and in this case, interactive pages that highlight some of the most interesting, surprising, and pressing issues facing our ocean today. Through a large touch-screen interface, kiosk visitors are offered a variety of information about ocean life, current science and technology, and recent discoveries. The kiosk also features a ‘current news’ section, presenting users with near real-time data about ocean and weather conditions around the U.S.

The Nab the Aquatic Invader! feature will focus on the suspects–aka the invasive species–in four regions of the country: Atlantic, Pacific, Gulf, and Great Lakes. In each region, visitors can see read interrogation interviews with the 10 Most Wanted AIS and learn their origin, problems they cause, and some control methods used to slow the spread of these species.

“The Ocean Today Kiosk team is excited to partner with Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant to turn content from the Nab the Aquatic Invader web site into an interactive feature,” said Katie Snider, kiosk executive producer at NOAA’s National Ocean Service. “The Ocean Today Kiosk was designed to educate the public on fundamental ocean literacy concepts. There’s no better way to teach kids (and big kids!) about invasive species than by letting them “touch screen” their way through the crimes and profiles of invasive “suspects” around the country.”

 

IISG Instagram

Most people associate jellyfish with the ocean, but there are freshwater jellyfish too. Native to China’s Yangtze River, Craspedacusta sowerbii has spread worldwide and has lived in the Great Lakes region for decades, including Illinois and Indiana.

With funding from Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant, researchers led by biologist Nadine Folino Rorem (Wheaton College) and Paulyn Cartwright (University of Kansas) are studying this species and the local environmental conditions where it thrives.

Full story: at the link in bio.

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Open post by ilinseagrant with ID 17888384199338016
Most people associate jellyfish with the ocean, but there are freshwater jellyfish too. Native to China’s Yangtze River, Craspedacusta sowerbii has spread worldwide and has lived in the Great Lakes region for decades, including Illinois and Indiana. With funding from Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant, researchers led by biologist Nadine Folino Rorem (Wheaton College) and Paulyn Cartwright (University of Kansas) are studying this species and the local environmental conditions where it thrives.Full story: at the link in bio.

Summer of Great Lakes Learning!

This summer, we empowered educators with the knowledge, inspiration, and confidence to bring Great Lakes literacy into their classrooms! 🌊

✅ We dove into aquatic invasive species with the Chicago Park District Fishing Program
✅ Explored Lake Michigan aboard Lake Guardian Resreach vessel through the Shipboard Science Immersion
✅ Investigated remediation and restoration in the Grand Calumet Area of Concern, and launched our new Grand Calumet VR curriculum
✅ Partnered at Indiana Dunes to lead a Project WET workshop with a Great Lakes focus

From shoreline to shipboard, these workshops connected educators to the science, stewardship, and stories of the Great Lakes.

#GreatLakesLiteracy #TeachingTuesday

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Open post by ilinseagrant with ID 17945574951010383
Summer of Great Lakes Learning! This summer, we empowered educators with the knowledge, inspiration, and confidence to bring Great Lakes literacy into their classrooms! 🌊 ✅ We dove into aquatic invasive species with the Chicago Park District Fishing Program✅ Explored Lake Michigan aboard Lake Guardian Resreach vessel through the Shipboard Science Immersion✅ Investigated remediation and restoration in the Grand Calumet Area of Concern, and launched our new Grand Calumet VR curriculum✅ Partnered at Indiana Dunes to lead a Project WET workshop with a Great Lakes focusFrom shoreline to shipboard, these workshops connected educators to the science, stewardship, and stories of the Great Lakes. #GreatLakesLiteracy #TeachingTuesday

🌊 Making Waves in Education

Calling all K–12 educators — formal and non-formal! Stay connected to the Great Lakes and inspired in your teaching with our educator-focused newsletter.

📬 Why Subscribe?
✅ Discover teaching resources and professional development opportunities
✅ Connect with Sea Grant partners and community efforts
✅ Bring Great Lakes science and stewardship into your classroom or program

🗓️ Published quarterly — with occasional bonus issues when exciting events or new content arise!

💡 Whether you’re in a classroom, nature center, or museum, this newsletter helps you make waves in education.

👉 Sign up now: https://iiseagrant.org/education/subscribe-to-education-newsletter/

#TeachingTuesday
#GreatLakesEducation

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Open post by ilinseagrant with ID 17970474224778067
🌊 Making Waves in Education Calling all K–12 educators — formal and non-formal! Stay connected to the Great Lakes and inspired in your teaching with our educator-focused newsletter.📬 Why Subscribe?✅ Discover teaching resources and professional development opportunities ✅ Connect with Sea Grant partners and community efforts✅ Bring Great Lakes science and stewardship into your classroom or program🗓️ Published quarterly — with occasional bonus issues when exciting events or new content arise!💡 Whether you’re in a classroom, nature center, or museum, this newsletter helps you make waves in education.👉 Sign up now: https://iiseagrant.org/education/subscribe-to-education-newsletter/ #TeachingTuesday#GreatLakesEducation
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