Rogers City Middle School students voyage out into Lake Huron to kick-off their yearlong efforts to monitor water quality, health of local Trout River – an enjoyable learning experience providing valuable water quality data for their community.
A Memorable Learning Experience!
On October 1, Holly Wirgau’s Rogers City Middle School students voyaged out on Lake Huron aboard the Lady Michigan. Their mission was to explore Great Lakes water quality, fisheries and aquatic ecosystems, maritime heritage and how people connect with Michigan’s water resources. This on-the-water experience launched a yearlong place-based watershed study centered on their local Trout River Watershed. In just one year, students will be raising salmon, wading in the Trout River, and making Great Lakes connections with their inland water 
study that began with a trip out on Lake Huron aboard a glass-bottom boat!
Applying place-based education principles as part of her educational programming, Wirgau recognizes her educational programming is not about individual projects, but rather her yearlong program of engaging youth with their local water resources, fostering strong school and community partnerships, and tying her projects through the year with the goal of complementing school improvement and her own curricular teaching goals.
For the full article, please visit the following Michigan State University Extension news page: http://msue.anr.msu.edu/news/rogers_city_students_kick-off_trout_river_watershed_study