MI Educator Workshop – Sinkhole Science: Engaging Place- and Problem-Based Lessons

Catch student interest with lessons related to Michigan sinkholes. During the Sinkhole Science Workshop, participants will tour a sinkhole, engage in a problem-based engineering activity, and leave with classroom-ready activities aligned to multiple Michigan educational standards. The experience will also feature demonstrations of ground-penetrating radar, hands-on models of groundwater and sinkhole formation, explorations of differing rock properties, and a variety of supporting educational resources.

• What: The workshop combines classroom-ready lessons on sinkholes, groundwater, biology, pollution, and engineering with hands-on field experiences, including a sinkhole tour, ground-penetrating radar demonstrations, and rock core interpretation.
• Who: Anyone interested in sinkholes – in particular formal and non-formal educators.
• When: Saturday, May 2, 2026 from 9am-4:30pm EDT.
• Where: Alpena, MI – This workshop will begin at a sinkhole site west of Alpena, and the classroom portion of the workshop is at the Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Center.
• How: Workshop cost is $35 (includes lunch and all materials). Learn more & register here.

Questions? Contact Dave Chapman, chapmad@comcast.net.

This workshop is a joint project of the Michigan Earth Science Teachers Association and the Northeast Michigan Great Lakes Stewardship Initiative with additional support from the Thunder Bay Marine Sanctuary, Lake Superior State University Geology Department, the Michigan Karst Conservancy, the American Cave Conservation Association, the Michigan Geological Repository for Research & Education, and the Michigan chapter of the American Institute of Professional Geologists.