Keweenaw Report Your Source for Local News and Sports
FREE scientific excursions aboard MTU’s research vessel Agassiz at Strawberry Festival, 1-6 pm, Saturday, July 8 at Chassell marina
Make reservation online now CLICK HERE
‘How do scientists assess the health of Lake Superior’ is the focus of FREE scientific excursions that will be offered at the Strawberry Festival from 1-6 pm, Saturday, July 8, departing from the Chassell marina.
The public is invited to sign up for a FREE 30-minute scientific excursion aboard Michigan Tech’s research vessel Agassiz on July 8th, by calling the Michigan Tech Center for Science & Environmental Outreach at 906-487-3341 or coming to the Chassell Marina dock on Saturday from 12:30 to 5 pm, to get on the list. Spaces go quickly. Each excursion has room for 18 participants. Half of available spaces will be saved for onsite participants.
On each scientific excursion, Dr. Marcel Djkstra, a graduate of MTU and currently a Great Lakes scientist at the University of Wisconsin, will demonstrate the use of sampling equipment to collect data on: water clarity, temperature, and turbidity that tells us about the health of the lake– and Chassell Bay. Participants will explore the link between land uses and the health of the Great Lakes.
Scientific excursions will depart from the Chassell marina dock, with the first departure at 1pm and every half hour thereafter until 6 pm. Space is limited to 18 persons per excursion (children must be at least 7 years of age and be accompanied by an adult). Life jackets are available for all passengers. Please wear closed toe shoes.
Remotely-Operated-Vehicle (ROV) demonstrations will also be conducted from the Chassell Marina dock by Michigan Tech Great Lakes Research Center researchers throughout the afternoon.
“Copper Country residents and visitors are encouraged to learn how scientists study the Great Lakes and which measurement indicate a healthy lake,” explains Joan Chadde director of the Center for Science & Environmental Outreach, who has coordinated this program as part of Strawberry Festival since 2006.
“These scientific excursions for the public have been extremely popular. Youth and adults enjoy the opportunity to interact with Great Lakes scientists and get their questions answered,” adds Chadde.
The event is coordinated by the Michigan Tech Center for Science & Environmental Outreach and Michigan Tech’s Great Lakes Research Center, and funded by the GM Ride the Waves Program. The GM Ride the Waves Program puts more than 600 Copper Country youth and adults on the water each year to learn about the Great Lakes and Lake Superior, and promote STEM careers. Additional financial support is provided by the Michigan Tech Great Lakes Research Center and the Chassell Lions Club.
For more information, or to sign up for an excursion, CLICK HERE or call the Center at: (906) 487-3341. Center for Science, Mathematics & Environmental Education: http://wupcenter.mtu.edu/Michigan Tech’s Great Lakes Research Center http://greatlakes.mtu.edu/ Michigan Tech Center for Water & Society http://www.mtcws.mtu.edu/ Lake Superior Stewardship Initiative http://lakesuperiorstewardship.org/
