“This past summer I was lucky enough to intern with the Illinois Indiana Sea Grant and rediscovered my love of marine sciences. My internship taught me a great deal about freshwater ecosystems and problems that are occurring in the Great Lakes. I was able to learn so much about the Great Lakes ecosystems, limnological studies, and nutrient levels, and I gained hands on experience working on the US EPA R/V Lake Guardian research vessel collecting nutrient and biological samples. The internship also allowed me to work at the Illinois State Fair and educate the public about the many issues facing the Great Lakes. It was a great feeling to spread the word about how we can all make a change in our behavior so that we can make a difference in our environment! I am currently interning with Oak Ridge Institute of Science and Education (ORISE) and continuing to work on Great Lakes projects and take samples from the Great Lakes on the US EPA R/V Lake Guardian. The Illinois Indiana Sea Grant internship really helped further my contacts in the industry by networking and meeting people working in different areas of the Great Lakes. Illinois Indiana Sea Grant really opened my eyes to a whole new field and career opportunities. I cannot thank them enough!”
About Newsroom
Recent News
- Sea Grant Chats: Looking back on our AIS legacy as we move forward
- National Sea Grant welcomes 2026 Knauss Marine Policy Fellowship finalists
- IISG’s new year starts with a new research and reporting coordinator
- Ripple Effects curriculum engages students on the spread of aquatic invasive species
- Coastal communities can tap into IISG resources as they manage beach sand and structures
IISG Instagram
Join us for a hands-on @projectwet Make-and-Take Workshop in Chicago!
📅 When: March 12, 2026 from 9:00 AM – 3:30 PM CT
📍 Where: 200 S Wacker Dr., Chicago, IL
💲 Cost: $25 (includes classroom-ready activity kits, lunch & refreshments)
🗓️ Registration closes February 26.
✅ Open to 3rd–8th grade formal & informal educators
✅ Earn 6 PD hours
✅ Leave with ready-to-use water education kits aligned to Common Core & NGSS
👉 Don’t miss out—space is limited!
Learn more and register at the link in bio.
Explore the history, impact, and educational power of Meaningful Watershed Educational Experiences (MWEEs).
eeLEARN: MWEE 101 is a free, self-paced online course that walks you through the MWEE framework with examples, planning tools, and downloadable resources that you can use immediately.
Start learning today at the link in bio.
Some partnerships just make sense. Happy Valentine’s Day from IISG! 💕
This February marks a major milestone: 30 years of aquatic invasive species outreach by our team! To celebrate, IISG Director, Stuart Carlton, and Strategic Communication Coordinator, Renie Miles, sat down for a Sea Grant Chat with two key figures in IISG’s AIS history: Pat Charlebois, our assistant director and program leader, who spent over two decades leading our prevention efforts, and Katie O’Reilly, who took over that role in 2022. We discussed the evolution of the invasive species issue in the Great Lakes, the shift toward understanding human behavior, and the creative strategies that make this team so effective.
Dive into the full interview at the link in bio.
