When we first introduced you to Allison Neubauer she was a summer intern working with IISG’s Kristin TePas to develop a website and other outreach materials for the U.S. EPA research vessel Lake Guardian. That was last summer. Today we are happy to announce that Allison is still working hard to improve Great Lakes literacy. Only now she is doing it as a member of our education team. 
 
As a Sea Grant educator, Allison Neubauer works with Terri Hallesy to plan and facilitate educator workshops and develop classroom resources. She also plays a key role in IISG’s undergraduate service-learning courses at the University of Illinois by leading classroom activities and serving as a resource for students as they implement community projects. 
 
Allison joined the education team as an assistant straight out of her internship. During that time, she helped plan and implement the Great Lakes B-WET project, which received an Outstanding Great Lakes Outreach Programming Award. 
 
She holds two Bachelor’s degrees from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, one in geography and geographic information sciences and a second in earth, society, and the environment. 

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Summer on Lake Michigan is the best, and a little prep makes it even better. 🌊☀️Dangerous currents near piers and breakwalls surprise even strong swimmers. Here's what to know:✅ Swim in designated areas↔️ Caught in a current? Swim to the side — not against it — then to shore🆘 In danger? Call for a life ringSave this post and share it with your swim crew. 👇More Lake Michigan safety resources: link in bio 🔗
Got a research idea worth a bigger room? The 2026 State of Lake Michigan Meeting is accepting proposals for symposia and workshops, and we want to hear yours!📅 Nov. 4–6 | Michigan City, IN⏰ Proposals due June 1 at 1 PM ETHelp shape what the Great Lakes research community discusses this year.🔗 Submit at the link in bio.
To every educator who has brought the Great Lakes into their classroom, thank you. 🍎Your curiosity is contagious. Your lessons last. And the students who learn to love these waters? They’ll protect them.Happy Teacher Appreciation Week from all of us at IISG.