Hosted by Minnesota Sea Grant, this three-day workshop connects environmental educators, researchers, and community partners around the shared goal of advancing water science education.
Through hands-on activities, outdoor teaching strategies, and participatory science, you'll gain practical skills and fresh inspiration for using nature as your classroom.
Open to both formal and informal educators.
Build community. Explore Lake Superior. Teach with purpose.
Research Presenters
- Elizabeth Austin-Minor, professor of chemistry & biochemistry, University of Minnesota Duluth
- Emily Pavlisich, program coordinator/naturalist, Wolf Ridge Environmental Learning Center
- Charlie Pavlisich, STEM coordinator, Wolf Ridge Environmental Learning Center
- Alec Lackmann, teaching assistant professor, University of Minnesota Duluth
- Mark Clark, professor of biology, University of Minnesota Duluth
When
July 23 - 25, 2025
Location
Wolf Ridge Environmental Learning Center (ELC)
6282 Cranberry Rd
Finland, MN 55603
Registration
Registration is required to attend this event.
Tentative Schedule
- Wednesday, July 23, 2025
- 10:30 a.m. Check-in.
- 12:25 p.m. Lunch.
- 1:00 p.m. Group welcome, introductions & guidelines for excellence.
- 3:00 p.m. Outdoor activities led by Great Lakes Aquarium.
- 4:00 p.m. Explore or tour of Wolf Ridge ELC.
- 5:25 p.m. Dinner.
- 6:30 p.m. Evening activities: free time, Wolf Ridge naturalist-led hike, canoeing, socializing, campfire.
- Thursday, July 24, 2025
- 7:25 a.m. Breakfast.
- 8:40 a.m. Travel to Wolf Ridge Field Station.
- 9:00 a.m. Water science research activities with Elizabeth Austin-Minor and team.
- 10:00 a.m. Water science research activities with Mark Clark and Alec Lackmann.
- 12:00 p.m. Lunch.
- 12:30 p.m. Travel to Wolf Lake.
- 1:00 p.m. Water science research activities with Lienne Sethna and team.
- 2:00 p.m. Best practices in outdoor education with Charlie & Emily Pavlisich.
- 4:00 p.m. Free time.
- 5:25 p.m. Dinner.
- 6:30 p.m. Evening activities: free time, ropes course, canoeing, socializing, campfire.
- Friday, July 24, 2025
- 7:25 a.m. Breakfast.
- 9:00 a.m. Collaborative meeting for educators & researchers, Open Space model.
- 10:00 a.m. Participatory science activities.
- 11:00 a.m. Sharing of resources and findings.
- 12:25 p.m. Lunch and depart.
Event Partners
This workshop is made possible thanks to:
- Minnesota Association of Environmental Educators
- Center for Great Lakes Literacy
- Great Lakes Aquarium
- Wolf Ridge Environmental Learning Center
Contact
Heidi Ferris, Minnesota Sea Grant Environmental Literacy & Workforce Development Extension Educator. [email protected].
Image credit: H. Cullen/MNSG.