Summer 2024 Education and Outreach Line Up

The Lake Champlain Sea Grant Watershed Alliance is gearing up for our summer education programs! We will be offering a variety of opportunities for students, teachers, and community members to learn about the Lake Champlain basin and get hands-on experience with limnology and watershed science. See below for the lineup of upcoming offerings:

For Teachers:

Stormwater Education Methods Course

This course focuses on the key concepts of a stormwater stewardship curriculum including how to effectively implement it with upper elementary, middle and/or high school students. Course participants will engage in hands-on learning to understand the definition of, sources of, and impacts of stormwater on surface water bodies. In addition, they will learn uses for and mechanism of operation for a variety of types of green stormwater infrastructure practices. The course will also provide participants with information about opportunities and steps to implement and maintain various green stormwater infrastructure practices.

Program Dates: June 20 & 21

Course Credit: 1 credit

Champlain Research Experience for Secondary Teachers (CREST)

The Champlain Research Experience for Secondary Teachers (CREST) 2.0 Program will engage grade 7-12 teachers in an exploration of Lake Champlain Basin research through authentic investigations alongside scientists, graduate and undergraduate students, teachers, and teacher educators. CREST 2.0 builds on the original CREST Program by offering teachers opportunities to engage in new research experiences at UVM’s Rubenstein Ecosystem Labs. Additionally, participants will have opportunities to integrate project, proficiency, and place-based teaching practices as they develop a project based on the CREST touchstones to be implemented in their classrooms during the academic year. CREST program activities are aligned with the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), the Computer Science Teacher Association Standards (CSTA) and the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) in ELA and Mathematics. New emphasis will be placed on computational thinking skills and proficiencies.

Program Dates: June 24 - 28

Course Credit: 3 credits

New Program: Watershed Alliance Teacher and Researcher Partnership (WATR)

The WATR Partnership leverages local research activities and a state-of-the-art research vessel to provide teachers with an immersive year-long science program related to watershed science and water quality issues. The vessel will function as a floating laboratory on Lake Champlain. It will be the primary vessel of watershed science research at the University of Vermont. During the week-long immersive experience teachers will gain valuable experience as researchers working alongside research faculty, staff, crew, and community partners to better prepare them to reimagine teaching rooted in place. Through the WATR Partnership teachers will learn about current and emerging water quality challenges. Plus, they will become involved in ongoing research projects. The capstone of this experience will be partnering with a researcher to collaborate on the development of a watershed Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics (STEAM) based unit. Learn more!

Dates: July 8 - 12

Course Credit: 6 credits

Watershed for Every Classroom (WEC)

Watershed for Every Classroom (WEC) is a year-long professional development experience for K-12 educators in the Lake Champlain Basin of Vermont, New York and Québec, brought to you by CBEI - the Champlain Basin Education Initiative. The WEC professional development program is for educators who teach in the Lake Champlain Basin, presented by the Champlain Basin Education Initiative. The stories of the Lake Champlain Basin offer multiple ways to teach all subjects; engage students in learning in their community; and provide a way to integrate content, service, and a sense of belonging to one’s home place. We will explore how people, places, and things tell the stories of the Lake Champlain Basin and offer our students the opportunity to demonstrate an in-depth understanding of content, community engagement, and sense of place. Teams of two or more educators are encouraged to apply. Individuals are also welcome. The year long program kicks off with a week-long summer intensive in mid- July and continues throughout the school year. The program is most suited for educators working in grades 4-9, but is applicable to all subject areas and grades. Learn more!

Program Dates: July 16 - 19

Course Credit: 3 credits

Learn more about each of these teacher professional development programs.

For Students:

Women in Science and Sailing Camp

Take science to the lake with this Community Sailing Center and Lake Champlain Sea Grant – UVM Extension partner camp for girls. Each morning will begin with the basics of sailing at the Sailing Center followed by afternoons with scientists and educators from Lake Champlain Sea Grant – UVM Extension in the lab or aboard a research vessel, where participants will collect data and learn about the many physical, biological, chemical, and cultural variables that contribute to the health of the lake and our watershed. This camp is inclusive of all women, trans-women, and femme-identifying non-binary youth. Learn more!

Program Dates: August 5 – 9 This program is currently full

For Community Members:

Public Boat Trips on Lake Champlain Aboard the R/V Marcelle Melosira

Each summer Lake Champlain Sea Grant and UVM Extension host a series of Summer on the Lake educational boat trips. On various dates during June, July, and August 2024, the public is invited aboard the UVM research and education vessel, the Marcelle Melosira, to build scientific, geologic, cultural, and historical knowledge about Lake Champlain and its watershed. Each trip will focus on one of two themes, either Stories of Lake Champlain or Lake Champlain Live. Learn More!

Vermont Program Dates: June 18, July 15, July 25, August 2

New York Program Dates: TBD