Education -archive

Beach Cleanup, small plasticsLake Michigan sparks curiosity and can offer many cross-curricular connections. IISG can help you learn more about this amazing shared resource through activities, curriculum, professional learning, and stewardship project support. Explore the education resources and tools below to enhance your appreciation, understanding, and stewardship of southern Lake Michigan.

 

 

  Educator Resources

 

Center for Great Lakes Literacy

Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant collaborates with other Sea Grant educators through the Center for Great Lakes Literacy. The center’s goal is to develop a community of Great Lakes literate educators, students, scientists, environmental professionals, and citizen volunteers, dedicated to improved Great Lakes stewardship”.

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Curriculum and Activities

Bring Great Lakes science to life with experiential learning. Our curriculum materials and activities focus on hands-on ways of exploring science concepts, environmental challenges, and stewardship through the lens of the Great Lakes.

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Explorers

Use these tools to explore a curated list of external educational resources on the topics of weather and climate, pollution and nutrient losses in our waterways.

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Learning at Home

Explore the Great Lakes from home with a curated list of online resources for educators, parents, and curious lifelong learners.

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Loanable Kits

Borrow materials to provide hands-on learning for your students. Ready-to-use educational materials cover topics ranging from Great Lakes fisheries, invasive species, marine debris, plastic pollution and water quality.

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Professional Learning

Find learning opportunities and stewardship support to bring the Great Lakes into your formal or non-formal classroom through professional development.

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Students Ask Scientists

Connect your classroom with a research scientist who can illustrate concepts with real-world examples, expose your students to careers in science, and deepen their understanding and appreciation for the Great Lakes.

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IISG Instagram

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.