Lake Superior Stewardship Initiative (LSSI) Western Upper Peninsula Center for Science, Mathematics & Environmental Education Leadership Team: Shawn Oppliger, Director, Western UP Center for Science, Math, and Environmental Education Joan Chadde, Education Program Coord., WUPC and Michigan Technological University Ann Mayo-Kiely, Manager, Isle Royale Institute, Isle Royale National Park

Planning Grant Outcomes (Aug-Oct. ’07) Three formal meetings conducted: Meeting #1 - Built an understanding of goals and three strategies of the GLSI. -Teachers from Jeffers HS, Calumet HS and Hancock MS described model projects that illlustrate placed-based education and school- community partnerships. -Participants worked in small groups to brainstorm potential goals and outcomes for LSSI

Planning Grant Outcomes (Aug-Oct. ’07) Meeting #2 – Reviewed existing ISD service-learning program outcomes, shortcomings, and grant-making model. - Proposed infrastructure model for LSSI. - Encouraged school & community partners to begin developing Memorandums of partnership with the WUP Center.

Planning Grant Outcomes (Aug-Oct. ’07) cont’d Meeting #3 - P articipants worked in small groups to review the draft of LSSI goals and outcomes, regional infrastructure, and chart of work. - Participants formed “community groups” to develop list of local stewardship needs. - ID strategies for accomplishing long-term sustainability and public engagement.

Funding to received to create the: Lake Superior Stewardship Initiative (LSSI) Mission The LSSI seeks to prepare K-12 students to become knowledgeable citizens engaged in activities that enhance their school, community, and the Lake Superior watershed.

Desired Outcomes of LSSI 1.Students will have the knowledge to make informed decisions and become actively involved in their community. 2.Teachers will integrate local Great Lakes topics into their curriculum. 3.School-community partnerships will engage students as valued members of their communities in stewardship projects that are responsive to the needs of the local community.

Desired Outcomes of LSSI, cont. 4. Placed-based education will become an integral and permanent part of partner schools. 5. Communities in the Lake Superior watershed will be improved through the collaborative efforts of schools and their community partners. 6. Students and teachers will be recognized as valued, contributing citizens and will act in that capacity.

LSSI Infrastructure (1) Leadership Team Shawn Oppliger, Project Manager Copper Country ISD and Western UP Center for Science, Math & Environmental Education Joan Chadde, Co-Stewardship Project Advisor & Community Organization Coordinator Michigan Technological University (MTU) and Western UP Center for Science, Math & Environmental Education Ann Mayo-Kiely, Co-Stewardship Project Advisor Isle Royale Institute: MTU & Isle Royale National Park Plus: Kathy Carter, LSSI, Communications Manager and Environmental Field Trip Coordinator. WUP Center and MTU Emil Groth, Webmaster, Michigan Tech University

(2) LSSI Advisory Board Principal, Houghton Middle School – CHAIR Mark Sherman, Plum Creek Timber – VICE CHAIR Copper Country Trout Unlimited Keweenaw National Historical Park Keweenaw Bay Indian Community Michigan Tech Center for Water and Society Keweenaw Land Trust Keweenaw Economic Development Alliance National Resources Conservation Service Lake Superior Huron River Restoration Inc. Superintendent, Schools of Calumet, Keweenaw & Laurium Superintendent, Stanton Township Schools Principal, Jeffers HS Copper Country Association of School Boards 3 teachers

(3)School Teams (2+ teachers + Community Organizations) 11 partner schools in 7 school districts: Houghton County: Adams Township School District - Jeffers HS Public Schools of Calumet-Laurium-Keweenaw – CLK Elementary, Washington MS, Calumet HS Hancock Public Schools - Hancock MS Houghton-Portage Township School District - Houghton MS Stanton Township Public Schools - E.B. Holman School (K-8) Baraga County: Baraga Area Schools - Philip Latendresse Elementary and Baraga Middle/High School L’Anse Area Schools - C.J. Sullivan Elementary, L’Anse Middle/High School

17 partner community organizations: MTU Center for Science and Environmental Outreach Copper Country Intermediate School District Isle Royale Institute MTU Center for Water and Society Keweenaw Land Trust Keweenaw Economic Development Alliance Isle Royale National Park Keweenaw National Historical Park U.P. Resource Conservation & Development Michigan Nature Association Plum Creek Timber Copper Country Trout Unlimited Natural Resources Conservation Service Lake Superior Huron River Restoration Inc. Ottawa National Forest Houghton-Keweenaw County Conservation District

School Team Registration Procedure School teams = 2+ teachers Each team member commits to attend 6 hours of content PD. Each team is represented at 75% of Dinner & Dialogue (2-hour evening) meetings. Each team member attends one service learning workshop and one D & D.

Kick Off Meeting ~ Feb. 7, 2008 Overview of the Great Lakes & Lake Superior Stewardship Initiatives? - Shawn Oppliger, Director, Western UP Center for Science, Mathematics & Environmental Education How Will Schools Benefit? - Dennis Harbour, superintendent, Copper Country Intermediate School District Why A Lake Superior Stewardship Initiative? – Top Ten Needs of the Great Lakes - Alex Mayer, Michigan Tech Center for Water & Society – How Well Do People Know Their Place? – Joan Chadde, Western UP Center – Stewardship needs in our community – Evan McDonald, Keweenaw Land Trust – Benefits to the local community – Phil Musser, Keweenaw Economic Development Alliance How Place-Based Education & Service Learning Enhance Academic Achievement – Joan Chadde Local School–Community Partnership Projects – Calumet High School (Darrell Hendrickson, teacher) – Jeffers High School (Tim Keteri, principal, and Mike Benda, teacher) – Hancock Middle School (Monica Healy, principal & Linda Rulison, teacher) How will we know if we’re successful? – Ann Mayo-Kiely, Isle Royale Institute

Top Ten Needs of the Great Lakes Alex Mayer Center for Water & Society Michigan Technological University Kick Off Meeting ~ Feb. 7, 2008

10,900 miles of shoreline more than 30,000 islands 8 states, 2 provinces $4 billion annual sport fishery $55 million shipping industry our home 18% of fresh surface water on Earth 95% of the fresh surface water in US 40% of Canadian and 15% of US GDP drinking water for 42 million people 6,000,000,000,000,000 gallons The Great Lakes are…. our responsibility unique ecosystems

Top Ten Needs of the Great Lakes* *who came up with this list anyway? control existing and eliminate introduction of new invasive species reduce nonpoint (stormwater, etc.) pollution & point source pollution minimize impact of shoreline development, especially on wetlands restore native species restore beneficial uses in pollution hot spots reduce impacts of air pollution deposition prevent beach pollution policies for minimizing diversions and consumptive use sustainable use of natural resources mitigate impacts from climate change increase public awareness and translate public desires into policy preserve the Great Lakes “sense of place”

how do these needs relate to Lake Superior? reduce impacts of air pollution deposition prevent beach pollution policies for minimizing Great Lakes diversions sustainable use of natural resources mitigate impacts from climate change increase public awareness, understanding, action translate public desires into policy control existing & eliminate introduction of new invasive species reduce nonpoint (stormwater, etc.) pollution & point source pollution minimize impact of shoreline development, especially on wetlands restore native species restore beneficial uses in pollution hot spots preserve the Great Lakes “sense of place”

How do these needs relate to you? your school? your community? your students? your students’ families? reduce impacts of air pollution deposition prevent beach pollution policies for minimizing diversions & consumptive use sustainable use of natural resources mitigate impacts from climate change increase public awareness and translate public desires into policy control existing & eliminate introduction of new invasive species reduce nonpoint (stormwater, etc.) pollution & point source pollution minimize impact of shoreline development, especially on wetlands restore native species restore beneficial uses in pollution hot spots preserve the Great Lakes “sense of place”

The health of the Keweenaw economy is now dependent upon and interconnected to the health of our natural environment! Phil Musser, Exec. Director Keweenaw Economic Development Alliance Kick Off Meeting ~ Feb. 7, 2008

LSSI Strategies for Developing Partnerships between schools & community organizations Monthly Dinner & Dialogue One-on-one meetings between project advisors and school teams Speed-dating – short chats to explore opportunities 2-minute presentations by school teams and community organizations to share expertise and needs

School Information (sample ppt slide template) School Name 1. Teachers’ name, phone & Grades/subjects taught Project Interests: 2. Teachers’ name, phone & Grades/subjects taught Project Interests: 3. Teachers’ name, phone & Grades/subjects taught Project Interests: Lake Superior Stewardship Initiative

School Information (sample ppt slide template) Possible Project Ideas Skills and Knowledge We Want Students to Gain Lake Superior Stewardship Initiative

Community Organization (ppt slide template) Our Mission: Geographic area we work in: Lake Superior Stewardship Initiative Contact person: Phone: Website:

Community Organization (ppt slide template) Projects/needs that we need help with: What we can offer students and teachers (field trips, presentations,equipment, etc.) Lake Superior Stewardship Initiative

LSSI Grant-Making Process School teams may apply for up to $5,000 May also apply for $500 in Service Learning funding Reviewed and approved by Advisory Board Grant Requirements:  What stewardship need does the project address in your community? and how was the need determined?  How does addressing this stewardship need affect the health of Lake Superior watershed?  What are specific outcomes of the project related to student learning?  What are specific outcomes of the project for your community?  What Grade Level Content Expectations or High School Content Expectations are addressed by the project?  What school improvements goals are addressed by the project?  How does the project engage students in real world experiences that encourage them to make informed decisions and acts as contributing citizens?  How will/did your community partner(s) participate in the planning and implementation of the project?

Sustained Teacher Professional Development Pedagogy workshops – “How To” for place-based education and creating school-community partnerships; Jon Yoder workshop June Content workshops during school year – Project WET, Project Wild, Project Learning Tree, Lake Effects, MEECS Water, MEECS Ecosystems & Biodiversity Summer teacher institutes – Great Lakes Watershed Investigations June 23-27, ‘08 Monthly Dinner & Dialogue (Feb-June ’08) Inspirational presenters – Peter Annin, John Vucetich

Change is afoot….. Already we are seeing new excitement and energy from teachers and administrators New partnerships are forming Community organizations are coming out of the woodwork…. Innovative ideas are blossoming The future is an exciting place!