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Nov. 10, 2005

Go with the FLOW: Great Lakes science curriculum available online

ANN ARBOR, Mich.—Teaching young people about the Great Lakes just a got a little easier. Educators can now access a comprehensive online curriculum covering everything from the Great Lakes aquatic food web to wetlands and fisheries.

The dynamic lessons are part of Fisheries Learning On the Web, Project FLOW, developed by the Michigan Sea Grant at the University of Michigan. Project FLOW lessons are geared toward educators who teach upper elementary and middle school students. Each lesson features a hands-on classroom activity.

"I've been using some of the Project FLOW lessons on food chains, food webs and exotic species this fall with my 7th graders," said David Huntington of Mackinaw City Schools. "The students have a great time. These lessons make teaching this material easy, fun, and engaging. Students teach each other throughout the lessons."

Project FLOW lessons are aligned with national and state curriculum standards for science and social studies. Unit 1 addresses the aquatic food web and the impact of invasive species. Lessons in unit 2 allow students to construct model wetlands and watersheds. Unit 3 lessons explore Great Lakes fish, biodiversity, and career options.

Additional lesson components include learning objectives, content summary and background, materials list, step-by-step procedures for each activity and assessment. Many of the lessons contain creative downloadable materials, including worksheets, diagrams, educational fact sheets and game cards.

The Great Lakes Fishery Trust provided support for Project FLOW development.

"One of our goals is to increase public awareness and understanding of the ecology of the Great Lakes to promote the long-term sustainability of the Great Lakes ecosystem," said Julie Bennett, assistant manager of the Great Lakes Fishery Trust. "Project FLOW is an excellent resource that will help the GLFT achieve this goal and create the next generation of Great Lakes stewards and advocates."

The FLOW Web site was named Site of the Month for November 2005 by the Great Lakes Information Network. For more information, visit: http://www.miseagrant.umich.edu/flow

Michigan Sea Grant is a cooperative program of the University of Michigan and Michigan State University dedicated to the protection and sustainable use of marine and Great Lakes resources. Funding is provided through the National Sea Grant College Program by NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce.

Contact: Elizabeth LaPorte, Michigan Sea Grant
Phone: (734) 647-0766