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Lake Michigan R/V Lake Guardian Shipboard Science Immersion

July 7 – July 13

Attendees stand on the R/V Lake Guardian wearing life jackets and helmets

Fifteen educators from across the Great Lakes region were selected to join Center for Great Lakes Literacy (CGLL) staff and Great Lakes scientists aboard a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency research vessel (R/V)  this summer to study Lake Michigan and bring Great Lakes science and stewardship back to their classrooms and communities. The application and selection process for this immersion experience took place in Winter 2025.

The week-long, scientific exploration of Lake Michigan will take place July 7-13, 2025 aboard the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s R/V Lake Guardian. This experience provides educators with a hands-on opportunity to explore water quality, underwater archaeology, the lower food web (e.g., benthic organisms and zooplankton) while living on a vessel and working alongside Great Lakes scientists conducting critical research.

The selected educators are:

  • Eric Parr of Pike High School (IN)
  • Gerard Kovach of Decatur Classical School, CPS (IL)
  • Ryan Johnson of Jovita Idár Elementary School, CPS (IL)
  • Amy Truemper of Bednarcik Junior High School (IL)
  • Deann Smith of Ashley Community Schools (MI)
  • Erika Van Kirk of U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (MI)
  • Jennifer Crane of Big Picture Ellicottville (NY)
  • Beth Tucker of Tully Jr./Sr. High School (NY)
  • Teresa Ballou of Westerville North High School (OH)
  • Ann Gasser of Laurel School, Butler Campus (OH)
  • Andrew Larsen of Penta Career Center (OH)
  • Virginia Friedman of Abington Friends School (PA)
  • Robert Fish of UW–Green Bay (WI)
  • Jamie Lauer of Hartford Union High School (WI)
  • Alina Prahl of Riveredge Nature Center (WI

Through a partnership with the EPA Great Lakes National Program Office, NOAA, and with funding from the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, educators will spend a full week alongside researchers aboard the EPA R/V Lake Guardian. Hosts for the Lake Michigan expedition are CGLL partners Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant and Wisconsin Sea Grant.

The Shipboard Science Immersions are designed to promote Great Lakes sciences while forging lasting relationships between Great Lakes researchers and educators. CGLL is a collaborative effort led by Sea Grant educators throughout the U.S. Great Lakes watershed.

Details

Start:
July 7
End:
July 13