Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant NOW HIRING! with student and science poster in background

Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant (IISG) and University of Illinois Extension are seeking a visiting extension outreach associate to focus on IISG K-12 education by creating a new youth-centered digital learning product as well as developing, delivering, and evaluating other educational programming that increases Great Lakes literacy among Illinois and Indiana youth.

Responsibilities for this full-time, 12-month K-12 education position include:

  • Develop a youth-centered aquatic invasive species (AIS) digital learning product
    (e.g., website, online game) for middle-school-aged youth. This will include
    evaluating or revising existing AIS curricula or supporting resources.
  • Develop and deliver other educational programming such as teacher workshops,
    curriculum development, and youth stewardship projects.
  • Conduct evaluation research to determine the effectiveness of programming
    and to use these findings to create innovative programs and improve existing offerings.

A bachelor’s degree in education, environmental education, natural sciences, or a related field is required, as is two years of experience developing and delivering digital educational content.

This position will be located in Chicago, Illinois. To view the complete job description and apply, visit the University of Illinois Job Board. The closing date is August 19, 2024.

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When participating in a crayfish participatory science activity, be sure to snap plenty of photos of any crayfish you catch or observe. Not only is it a great way to capture the fun and excitement of the day, but it also helps document the species present. To ensure accurate identification by scientists, it’s important to provide clear photos from multiple angles. Dorsal (top), lateral (side), and ventral (underside) views of the crayfish should always be photographed.To learn more about the specific features to highlight in your photos visit the link in bio or InvasiveCrayfish.org/Management/#Community
Who says “Back to School” means back indoors? While the weather is still warm, take your students on an outdoor science adventure by exploring crayfish in your local waterways.The Invasive Crayfish Collaborative invites grades 2-12 educators to take part in a hands-on participatory science activity. By catching, identifying, and reporting crayfish species in your area, students contribute valuable data that helps scientists better understand where native and invasive crayfish live.Check out what other educators have found and get involved: inaturalist.org/projects/great-lakes-crayfish
Come round up some rusty crayfish and help remove this #invasivespecies from the Fox River at the 7th Annual Rusty Rodeo. Join us at this FREE event and help collect, identify, and remove rusty crayfish from the river using aquatic nets and buckets. Prizes are given to the participant who collects the most, the largest, and the smallest rusty crayfish. Learn more about native and invasive aquatic species at educational pop-up exhibits.Participants will need to provide their own supplies. We suggest bringing an aquatic net, a bucket, and clothes and shoes you don’t mind getting dirty. This is a partnership program with: Forest Preserve District of Kane County, St. Charles Parks & Recreation Department, Fox Valley Park District, and Friends of the Fox River. No registration required.More info: https://kaneforest.com/upload/2025RustyRodeoFull-pageFlyer.pdf#CrayWeek #Crayfish #InvasiveSpecies #RustyCrayfish #FoxRive
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