Lake Superior Stewardship Initiative
Grant Type: 2007 Planning Grant
Project Duration: 6/13/07–10/25/07
Grant Amount: $15,886.68
Project Description
The Western Upper Peninsula Center for Science, Mathematics and Environmental Education focused its Great Lakes stewardship efforts in the five western counties of Michigan's Upper Peninsula: Houghton, Baraga, Keweenaw, Gogebic, and Ontonagon. The Center worked closely with the other five math/science centers in the Upper Peninsula to share strategies, resources, and professional development opportunities in order to facilitate their future engagement in this effort. The Western Upper Peninsula encompasses 19 school districts, two intermediate school districts (Copper Country ISD and Gogebic-Ontonagon ISD), and two tribal communities: Keweenaw Bay Indian Community and Lac Vieux Desert Band of Chippewa.
Project Outcome
This project raised awareness of place-based education and stewardship needs in the Lake Superior Watershed, provided a forum for building school-community partnerships, and developed a plan for a regional hub for place-based education. Leadership was shared by staff of the Western Upper Peninsula Center and Michigan Technological University Center for Science and Environmental Outreach. Collaborative planning involved representatives from 11 schools and 17 community organizations in the region. After a series of meetings with stakeholders and partners, during which a comprehensive list of stewardship needs for the region were identified, a smaller group synthesized feedback and insights and developed a detailed Implementation Plan for the regional hub. This effort leveraged existing environmental education programs in the region. Participants in the planning process felt that a major benefit of the project was the opportunity to develop a shared vision of place-based education and stewardship.