screen capture of Kristin TePas speaking in clip from Rochester, New York's Spectrum News

This summer, Lake Ontario was the site of an exciting experience for 15 teachers who spent a week on board an Environmental Protection Agency ship, testing water quality on the lake. Research that took place during this voyage may play an important role in the future health of not just Lake Ontario, but all the Great Lakes.

The Lake Guardian is a science ship owned by the EPA. Teachers from around the Great Lakes spent a week on board the research ship, taking water samples and collecting data.

During the Shipboard Science Workshop, teachers spent one week on the EPA research vessel, which goes out every spring and summer and does sampling across all five Great Lakes. One lake is featured every five years, on a rotating basis.

Image of EPA's Lake Guardian ship.

“I mean, they’re all interconnected,” said Kristin TePas, Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant Great Lakes outreach specialist. “It’s one big ecosystem.“

Data collected during the weeklong voyage will help determine policy, and could help scientists pinpoint at solve problems with water quality and issues like toxic algae blooms. 

“I’ve heard from teachers that it’s like Space Camp for aquatic science teachers,” said TePas.

The research serves other purposes, too. Teachers will take what they learned and experienced on the ship back to their respective classrooms.

Read the full story on the Spectrum News 1 website.


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

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.
Don't miss out on the latest edition of our "Making Waves in Education" newsletter! Reserve your spot for a live, Students Ask Scientists call from Lake Superior, and stay updated on upcoming in-person events to learn and network with fellow educators. Perfect for Illinois and Indiana educators passionate about the Great Lakes and environmental education.
Join us on June 6-7 at the Indiana State Fairgrounds to explore aquaculture business management at the NCRAC Aquaculture Business Short Course! Presented by Sea Grant & @purdueextension, this course provides essential skills for effective farm finance management. Don’t miss this opportunity to enhance your expertise in aquaculture!Important Info:-Hands-on training to help aquaculture producers manage their farm finances-Includes one-on-one expert time + free $120 textbook-Instructors from Purdue, Mississippi State, and University of Maryland-Laptop + farm financials required for participation-Limited seating – first come, first served!More info at the link in bio.
Skip to content