Volunteer Instructor Class Wraps Up 3-21-12

The final review session of the 2012 Volunteer Instructor Class was held last evening at the NMC Water Studies Institute classroom.  Each shipboard teaching station was set up so new instructors could practice their newly aquired knowledge.  Thanks to the veteran instructors who helped teach this and all the sessions this winter.  Thanks also to Emily Shaw, ISEA Educaiton Coordinator, who lead the Volunteer Instructor Class this year. 
There is still an opportunity to teach with ISEA this year.  Attend the all-day intensive class on April 4 and get the preparation you need to teach aboard the Schoolships Inland Seas and Manitou.  Call Emily Shaw at 231-271-3077 for registration information.

Kristin Miller reviews the Benthos Station

Bill Maul leads the Water Chemistry Station

At the break I took this photo of big cumulonimbus off to the east.  The beams of light converging on the Hagerty Center are reflections of the ceiling lights in our classroom.

--Tom K.

Instructor Training Class of 2011 Gets Underway

The first class session of this year's Volunteer Instructor Training Class was held on 1-5-11 at the NMC Water Studies Institute classroom 112.  We had 52 people in attendance, both new and veteran instructors.  If you would like to join this group, it is not too late.  Call Christine Crissman at 231-271-3077 to make arrangements.  And bring a friend.  The complete class schedule is available by clicking here. 

--Tom Kelly, ISEA Executive Director

ISEA Great Lakes Seminar on Tuesday Evening

R/V Northwestern (foreground) Watching bottom profile output onboard the R/V Northwestern

The Inland Seas Education Association will present a seminar that focuses on the on-going survey of the bottom of Grand Traverse Bay at 7:00pm on Tuesday, November 17, 2009 at the Inland Seas Education Center in Suttons Bay. The seminar, "Hydrographic Survey of Grand Traverse Bay," will be presented by Hans VanSumeren, Executive Director of Northwestern Michigan College's Water Studies Institute, and Mark Breederland, Extension Educator with Michigan Sea Grant. This seminar is free and open to the public. For more information click on http://www.schoolship.org/news_events/?id=927

Student Ideas for Protecting the Great Lakes

Here are some suggestions from students in the Fresh Water Studies (ENV 105) class at NMC yesterday following Tom Kelly's session on the Environmental History of the Great Lakes:

1. Try to get the local golf courses to not use fertilizers.
2. Pick up any trash you find.
3. Use environmentally safe pesticides or none at all. Same for fertilzers.
4. Plant trees.
5. Stop over-fishing. Follow fishing rules.
6. Don't mow lawns. Convert to low maintenance vegetation in your lawn.
7. Be aware of your water use. Try to use less around your home.
8. Drive less. Ride your bike or walk.
9. Enroll in NMC's Fresh Water Studies Program! Share knowledge and raise awareness.