Professional Learning

Every year we offer Illinois and Indiana K-12 formal and non-formal educator professional learning opportunities as well as stipend support for stewardship projects that extend Great Lakes learning and stewardship to students through place-based learning experiences. Stay tuned for upcoming opportunities.

 

Teachers Helping Teachers in the ClassroomWater Quality Workshop for Educators

When: July 24 from 9 am to 4 pm and July 25 from 9am to 12pm CT.
Where:  Wild Mile, Chicago
Cost: Free
Registration Deadline: July 14

Open to all 5th-12th grade educators and non-formal educators teaching in a Great Lakes state!

Register Today!

About: Dive into hands-on learning with our free water quality workshop! Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant and Urban Rivers have teamed up to offer a two-day training designed for 5th-12th grade educators. We will learn about the fascinating history, innovative design, and ecological significance of the Wild Mile along the Chicago River. We will explore the Wild Mile along its floating boardwalks and from inside a kayak to discover how to integrate water quality investigations into classroom curriculum. Participants should dress to be outdoors, bring water, a sack lunch, or money to purchase a lunch at a local eatery. After completing the workshop, participants will have access to water quality monitoring equipment through the Limno Loan program and be able to schedule a Wild Mile field trip.  Plus, earn up to 10 professional development hours!

Workshop Objectives:

  • learn about history, design, and ecology of the Wild Mile and the many ways that the Chicago River can add value to human lives,
  • understand water quality parameters and communicate these concepts to students,
  • identify the ways that the Wild Mile’s floating gardens fit into the Chicago River ecosystem and how they can improve water quality,
  • perform water quality monitoring techniques, including how to use an all-in-one data collection device,
  • collect and analyze water quality data to develop conclusions about the health of water bodies,
  • evaluate the ways various waterbody investigations can be applied to meet their students’ learning objectives, and
  • identify stewardship ideas to implement with students.

Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant is committed to providing equal opportunity for participation in all programs, services, and activities. Accommodations for persons with disabilities can be requested by contacting Janice Milanovich up to two weeks prior to the start of the event. Requests received after this date will be honored where possible.

 

group of people pose in front of a large boat called the Research Vessel Lake Guardian

Participants from 2016’s Shipboard Science Workshop pose in front of the U.S. EPA R/V Lake Guardian.

Shipboard Science Workshop

Applications are now closed for the 2024 summer workshop on Lake Erie. Information and how to apply for the 2025 summer workshop on Lake Michigan will be available late 2024/early 2025 at cgll.org.

Through a partnership with the EPA Great Lakes National Program Office, educators spend a full week alongside researchers aboard the EPA R/V Lake Guardian. Facilitated by Great Lakes Sea Grant Network educators, the Shipboard Science Workshop, one per year, rotates among the five Great Lakes and is designed to promote Great Lakes sciences while forging relationships between Great Lakes researchers and educators.

Learn more: Educators Onboard for Learning

 

 

 

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