

Recent News
- Freshwater jellyfish may increase in numbers as Illinois and Indiana waters continue to warm
- Tomas Höök signing off as Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant director this summer
- Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant welcomes Stuart Carlton as the program’s new director
- Four Illinois and Indiana educators will set sail on Lake Michigan aboard EPA’s research ship
- Join IISG as a new pollution prevention outreach assistant
IISG Instagram
Most people associate jellyfish with the ocean, but there are freshwater jellyfish too. Native to China’s Yangtze River, Craspedacusta sowerbii has spread worldwide and has lived in the Great Lakes region for decades, including Illinois and Indiana.
With funding from Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant, researchers led by biologist Nadine Folino Rorem (Wheaton College) and Paulyn Cartwright (University of Kansas) are studying this species and the local environmental conditions where it thrives.
Full story: at the link in bio.

Summer of Great Lakes Learning!
This summer, we empowered educators with the knowledge, inspiration, and confidence to bring Great Lakes literacy into their classrooms! 🌊
✅ We dove into aquatic invasive species with the Chicago Park District Fishing Program
✅ Explored Lake Michigan aboard Lake Guardian Resreach vessel through the Shipboard Science Immersion
✅ Investigated remediation and restoration in the Grand Calumet Area of Concern, and launched our new Grand Calumet VR curriculum
✅ Partnered at Indiana Dunes to lead a Project WET workshop with a Great Lakes focus
From shoreline to shipboard, these workshops connected educators to the science, stewardship, and stories of the Great Lakes.
#GreatLakesLiteracy #TeachingTuesday

🌊 Making Waves in Education
Calling all K–12 educators — formal and non-formal! Stay connected to the Great Lakes and inspired in your teaching with our educator-focused newsletter.
📬 Why Subscribe?
✅ Discover teaching resources and professional development opportunities
✅ Connect with Sea Grant partners and community efforts
✅ Bring Great Lakes science and stewardship into your classroom or program
🗓️ Published quarterly — with occasional bonus issues when exciting events or new content arise!
💡 Whether you’re in a classroom, nature center, or museum, this newsletter helps you make waves in education.
👉 Sign up now: https://iiseagrant.org/education/subscribe-to-education-newsletter/
#TeachingTuesday
#GreatLakesEducation

Looking for a fun, hands-on way to engage your students this year? Check out our new curriculum about crayfish and freshwater ecosystems! This curriculum teaches students about the importance of native crayfish, the threats posted by invasive species, and the health of Great Lakes ecosystems. It includes 9 ready-to-use lesson plans, with one featuring our participatory science activity! All lessons are aligned with NGSS, CCSS, and CGLL Principles.
Download the curriculum and start exploring at InvasiveCrayfish.org/Crayfish-Curriculum
#CrayWeek #Crayfish #FreshwaterEcosystems #Curriculum #BackToSchool
