Illinois Extension and Sea Grant K-12 education specialist joins the team

Posted June 5th, 2024 in Education, Featured, K-12 Education

Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant (IISG) welcomes Julie Fiorito, the program’s new K-12 education specialist. The focus of Fiorito’s work will be to increase Great Lakes literacy among Illinois and Indiana youth through development, delivery, and evaluation of science-based educational programming. 

“I believe that access to quality educational programming can give Lake Michigan communities the agency to create policy and cultural shifts to improve the health of the lake ecosystem,” said Fiorito. “I am excited to join IISG in this role to empower young learners in these communities through place-based education to become part of the solution to the environmental challenges the Great Lakes face.”

She will offer support to educators throughout the southern Lake Michigan basin in bringing the most recent aquatic research into their K-12 classrooms through immersive and engaging professional learning.

In her role with IISG, Fiorito will develop educational programming around Great Lakes issues, such as coastal resilience, invasive species, aquaculture, and food web ecology, that address local needs and increase science and Great Lakes literacy. She’ll also work directly with teachers in Illinois and Indiana to develop resources and opportunities including curricula, field days, and teacher training workshops.

Fiorito is skilled in a variety of education methodologies and has extensive experience as a high school teacher planning, directing, and coordinating various educational programs. She obtained a Bachelor of Science in biology teacher education from Illinois State University in 2012 and a Master of Science in teaching biological science from University of Illinois in 2017. 

She will be housed in Illinois Extension and located in Chicago at the Illini Center. 

Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant is a partnership between NOAA, University of Illinois Extension, and Purdue University Forestry and Natural Resources, bringing science together with communities for solutions that work. Sea Grant is a network of 34 science, education and outreach programs located in every coastal and Great Lakes state, Lake Champlain, Puerto Rico and Guam.

IISG Instagram

Don’t miss this opportunity to enhance your teaching skills and connect with fellow educators! Join us for a two-day, water-themed workshop on August 8-9, 2025, at the Dunes Learning Center located in Indiana Dunes National Park. Open to all 5-12th grade formal and non-formal educators, this event offers a chance to explore the natural world, network, and receive exclusive access to the newest Project WET Educator’s Guidebook: Water in Earth Systems.
The registration deadline is July 18th.

Learn more at the link in bio.

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Open post by ilinseagrant with ID 18054944849460185
Don’t miss this opportunity to enhance your teaching skills and connect with fellow educators! Join us for a two-day, water-themed workshop on August 8-9, 2025, at the Dunes Learning Center located in Indiana Dunes National Park. Open to all 5-12th grade formal and non-formal educators, this event offers a chance to explore the natural world, network, and receive exclusive access to the newest Project WET Educator’s Guidebook: Water in Earth Systems.The registration deadline is July 18th.Learn more at the link in bio.

📣 Aquaculture Teacher Workshop – June 2025

🗓️ June 26–27, 2025
📍 Purdue University – John S. Wright Forestry Center
🕐 Starts June 26 at 1 PM | Ends June 27 at 4:30 PM
🌿 Optional Pre-Tour: June 26, 10:30–11:30 AM

Explore Aquaculture & Aquaponics in Action!
Perfect for science teachers looking to bring hands-on, real-world STEM into the classroom.

What’s Included:
✔️ Facility tours at Purdue & nearby
✔️ Build-your-own aquaponics system (FREE to take home!)
✔️ Hands-on labs & classroom integration ideas
✔️ $250 stipend for travel or classroom supplies
✔️ Open to formal and non-formal educators

Learn how aquaculture is a powerful tool for engaging students in science, sustainability, and food systems!

Spots are limited – register early!

Learn more at the link in bio.

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Open post by ilinseagrant with ID 17996731229796182
📣 Aquaculture Teacher Workshop – June 2025🗓️ June 26–27, 2025📍 Purdue University – John S. Wright Forestry Center🕐 Starts June 26 at 1 PM | Ends June 27 at 4:30 PM🌿 Optional Pre-Tour: June 26, 10:30–11:30 AMExplore Aquaculture & Aquaponics in Action!Perfect for science teachers looking to bring hands-on, real-world STEM into the classroom.What’s Included:✔️ Facility tours at Purdue & nearby✔️ Build-your-own aquaponics system (FREE to take home!)✔️ Hands-on labs & classroom integration ideas✔️ $250 stipend for travel or classroom supplies✔️ Open to formal and non-formal educatorsLearn how aquaculture is a powerful tool for engaging students in science, sustainability, and food systems!Spots are limited – register early!Learn more at the link in bio.

IISG is hiring a part-time pollution prevention outreach assistant. IISG’s pollution prevention team addresses water quality issues affecting the Great Lakes coasts and the inland waters of Illinois and Indiana, specifically focusing on contaminants of emerging concern like pharmaceuticals, microplastics and marine debris, and PFAS. This outreach assistant will support the pollution prevention team by developing outreach activities and engaging with communities to share that knowledge.

Learn more and apply at the link in bio.

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Open post by ilinseagrant with ID 17909918856150931
IISG is hiring a part-time pollution prevention outreach assistant. IISG’s pollution prevention team addresses water quality issues affecting the Great Lakes coasts and the inland waters of Illinois and Indiana, specifically focusing on contaminants of emerging concern like pharmaceuticals, microplastics and marine debris, and PFAS. This outreach assistant will support the pollution prevention team by developing outreach activities and engaging with communities to share that knowledge.Learn more and apply at the link in bio.
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