Sophomores at Penn High School in Mishawaka, Indiana got to spend a school day in nature and take part in real science. Using an EPA monitoring tool, the hydrolab, and their own observations, the students provided data for a restoration project in Cobus Creek.

In early May, around 90 students visited six stations over the course of several hours, each with a different approach to thinking about nature, including looking up close at wildlife in the creek,  hiking the woods, and discussing ways to reduce waste.

IMG_6959 (1)The hydrolab came to this event through the efforts of science teacher John Gensic, who organized the field trip to Cobus Park. Gensic was one of 15 participants in the week-long shipboard teacher workshop on the R/V Lake Guardian on Lake Michigan last summer. There, he was introduced to the hydrolab, which is available for teachers to borrow for class monitoring projects.

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The students made observations about the conditions of Cobus Creek to help with a monitoring project of the waterway. The St Joseph Basin Commission is funded through a grant from the Indiana Department of Natural Resources to describe current water quality trends and problems and prioritize restoration projects.

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The students also got experience using the hydrolab to collect more data about the creek. The hydrolab measures Ph, temperature, depth, conductivity, and more.

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The data collected by the hydrolab was reported to Jeremy Reiman, an environmental planner with the St. Joseph River Basin Commission. Reiman walked the students through the data collection process.

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At another station, Kristin TePas and Allison Neubauer, both with IISG, raised the students’awareness about how long everyday products–from plastic bottle to disposable diapers–take to degrade in the environment. The students discussed how they might use fewer products, less often.

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The students also learned about electrofishing from several Elkhart biologists who collected samples of fish and other creek wildlife to share with the students.

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“This park is a real gem, and many of the students had never been here,” said Gensic. “This was also a great opportunity for them to take part in a real-world restoration project–to take part in something optimistic.”

Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant is a part of University of Illinois Extension.

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🌊 Boost Your Great Lakes Literacy in 3 Easy Ways!1️⃣ Read the Great Lakes Literacy Principles2️⃣ Join a Sea Grant professional learning event3️⃣ Explore Great Lakes educational resources📬 The summer edition of the Center for Great Lakes Literacy newsletter supports all three—and more!Perfect for educators, environmental leaders, and curious minds.👉 Subscribe today and dive into a world of Great Lakes learning: https://conta.cc/3ZtrIKc or the link in bio.
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 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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