Great Lakes Steward Ship Initiative Northeast Michigan

Youth are learning about and engaging in monitoring and discussing water quality across northeast Michigan

Posted on May 18, 2015 by Tracy D’Augustino, and Brandon Schroeder, Michigan State University Extension

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Youth across northeast Michigan have spent time outside the classroom this spring and fall through place-based education projects collecting water quality data to be shared across the region through the National Geographic FieldScope Great Lakes site. Youth collected both biotic (living) and abiotic (non-living) data incorporating inquiry and experiential learning through partnerships developed within the Northeast Michigan Great Lakes Stewardship Initiative (NE MI GLSI).

  

For abiotic (non-living) factors

Youth began by discussing four key questions:

1. What are abiotic factors?
2. How are abiotic factors important to the ecosystem?
3. How do they get into the water?
4. What level of each parameter do you think we will find today (high, moderate, low)?

Youth used the Lamotte Pondwater Tour to test for the abiotic parameters of ammonia, nitrates, dissolved oxygen and pH...

  

To read more about this Center for Great Lakes Literacy supported student stewardship project online, click here!

More Information: 4-H Youth Development Program, MSU Extension, Au Gres-Sims Elementary, Ella White Elementary School, Huron Pines AmeriCorps, Lincoln Elementary School, Michigan Sea Grant, Northeast Michigan Great Lakes Stewardship Initiative, Sanborn Elementary School, Thunder Bay Junior High, Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary, NOAA Great Lakes B-WET - Our Rivers, Our Future