The 2023 Great Lakes Literacy Education Exploration (GLLee) is a free, fun, three-hour online interactive and self-paced crash course for educators in a Great Lakes topic.

Upon completion, participants will receive a certificate for 3 contact hours, a curated collection of resources, and hands-on lessons and stewardship activities to bring the topics to life in their own classrooms and centers.

Current topics--

-- Aquatic Invasive Species (Best suited for students in grades 4-12): What? Aquatic invasive species are nonindigenous species that have a negative environmental, social, or economic impact on the Great Lakes region.  Driving Question? How do invasive species impact the Great Lakes and what can we do to help reduce their impacts on native ecosystems?

-- Coastal Erosion (Best suited for students in grades 6-12): What? Coastal erosion is the process by which strong wave action and coastal flooding wear down or carry away rocks, soils, and sands along the coast.  Driving Question? How does coastal erosion shape the shorelines of the Great Lakes and impact our ecosystems and communities?

-- Marine Debris (Best suited for students in grades 4-12): What? Marine debris is any human-made material that can end up – on purpose or by accident – in our rivers, ocean, and Great Lakes. Driving Question? How does marine debris impact our Great Lakes and animals (including humans) and plants that depend on this freshwater resource?

-- Vernal Pools (Best suited for students in grades 6-12): What? Vernal pools are “wicked big puddles” and ecologically serve as the “coral reefs of our northern forest ecosystems.”  Driving Question? How do vernal pools (seasonal woodland wetlands) benefit the Great Lakes region?

-- Coming Soon: Maritime Heritage and Urban Water Cycle!

Click Here to sign up today!

This opportunity is provided by The Center for Great Lakes Literacy (CGLL), a Sea Grant-led network and partnership that promotes Great Lakes literacy among an engaged community of educators, scientists, residents, and students by encouraging hands-on experiences and basin-wide stewardship; and providing educational resources and networking opportunities.

This GLLee opportunity is supported by CGLL with funding from the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

Questions should be directed to Michelle Niedermeier, Education Lead, Pennsylvania Sea Grant College Program Delaware River Basin Office, Philadelphia, mxn14@psu.edu,  814-898-6888.

For more information on programs, initiatives, research, upcoming events and more, visit the PA Sea Grant website.  Follow them on Facebook and Twitter.

[Posted: March 1, 2023]

3/6/2023