Whew! Its the last day of an INCREDIBLE experience, but like all good things, it must end. Or, perhaps, begin? It has been said that, “To whom much is given, much is expected.” COSEE Lake Michigan Exploration participants have been given very much. Now much is expected. Before they return to their communities and classrooms. It was time “pull it all together.” For the past few days, they have been meeting in grade level groups to decipher how they can bring what the scientists have shared this week to a level appropriate for their students. After a final, individual concept mapping session with Howard, the products of these meetings were shared today in final presentations by each grade level group.

Throughout the week, invasive species was a major theme. Now participants must take a cue from the organisms that were studied. May the knowledge that they gathered this week be disseminated as in a manner as prolific as the spread of quagga mussels on the bottom of Lake Michigan! Until next year, coSEE you later!

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MEMORABLE MOMENTS

The elementary group used the photo shown above in their presentation. Many participants have seen and used it in their classrooms previously. Suprisingly, it was originally taken by COSEE’s own, Jim Lubner!

RESOURCES TO CHECK OUT
Beth Wilkin shares the following:
1) The videos that every environmental science teacher must view: Strange Days on Planet Earth (National Geographic)
2) A website with many environmental science concepts addressed: facingthefuture.org.

Dr. Roseanne Fortner, COSEE Director, shared a final thought with educators today. These are her words: “Teaching is the highest calling among the professions, yet you do the most with the least resources. On a given day a teacher is far more likely to get a kick in the pants than a pat on the back. You deal with more “scat” than the wastewater treatment plant! Please plan to look to COSEE and Sea Grant when you need that pat on the back. We believe in and support you!”