Curated OER
Becoming the Great Lakes Invasive Species Czar: A Game to Show the Difficulty in Controlling Invasive Species
Tenth graders explore different ways to control aquatic invasive species. In this ecology lesson plan, 10th graders play the role of a member of the Dept of Natural Resources. They decide whether money should be spent on control or...
Curated OER
Invasive Species
Eighth graders explain the impact of exotic species to an ecosystem. In this environmental science lesson, 8th graders brainstorm ways to eliminate invasive species. They share their ideas in class.
Curated OER
Heave, Ho the Cargo!
Students identify, sort and graph samples of goods from the Great Lakes. In this science and math lesson, students describe a "good" and sort them into living and non-living categories. Students graph the results.
Curated OER
The Edmund Fitzgerald-Vanished in the Night
Students explore shipping on the Great Lakes. In this social studies instructional activity, students read Edmund Fitzgerald: Song of the Bell. Students draw pictures of freighters on rough waters and explore iron ore.
Curated OER
The Eerie Canal
Students discover bodies of water in the United States by investigating the Eerie Canal. In this U.S. Geography instructional activity, students discuss Lake Eerie and the canal that was built in order to transport goods. Students...
Curated OER
The Mighty Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Seaway System
Pupils participate in a variety of activities in a unit about the Great Lakes/St. Lawrence Seaway System. They create a diorama, read related stories, and correspond with other classes located in other port cities along the St Lawrence...
Curated OER
the New Explorers:Into the Depths
Students explore the self preservation mechanism that is inherent in the Great Lakes. They examine how scientists are studying Great Lakes, and what their predictions are for these national treasures.
National Endowment for the Humanities
Neh: Edsit Ement: Anishinabe Ojibwe Chippewa: Culture
Though written for grades 3-5, this lesson plan can be easily changed to help students of all ages learn about the Chippewa people. Additional resources provide historical, cultural, and geographical facts concerning this Native American...
US Environmental Protection Agency
Epa: What Is the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement?
This site details the signing and revision of the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement by the United States and Canada. Includes a copy of the revised agreement of 1978.
US Environmental Protection Agency
Epa: Canada: Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement
Information about the quality of water in the Great Lakes and the agreement signed by the United States and Canada in response to problems with the quality of the water.
US Environmental Protection Agency
Epa: Great Lakes
The EPA profiles the Great Lakes ecosystem, their ecological protection and restoration, wetlands, shorelands, pollution prevention, and so on. Click "Visualizing the Great Lakes" for pictures of the lake environment.
Other
Great Lakes Information Network
The Great Lakes Science Center provides research on various topics concerning the Great Lake environment such as fish advisories, contaminants, threatened species, low water levels, and sustainable development of the Lakes.
National Wildlife Federation
National Wildlife Foundation: What We Do to Protect the Great Lakes
A description of the various projects of the National Wildlife Foundation to protect the Great Lakes. Includes links to further information.
Other
International Joint Commission (Great Lakes)
This bi-national organization deals with boundary disputes between Canadian and American governments in regard to the Great Lakes waterways and water resources. It was founded by the Boundary Waters Treaty of 1909. This organization...
Digital Public Library of America
Dpla: Two Hundred Years on the Erie Canal
Learn about the Erie Canal, one of the most famous man-made bodies of water in the world. Completed in 1825, the Erie Canal connected the port of New York City on the Atlantic Ocean with the Great Lakes transforming trade, industry, and...
Environmental Education for Kids
Eek!: Lake Superior
This site provides facts, illustrations, and more about the largest Great Lake. Includes descriptions of wildlife and industry. For grades 4-8.
Missouri Botanical Garden
Missouri Botanical Garden: Lakes and Ponds
This illustrated website features facts about lakes and ponds and their special place in geography, natural history, and as a biome.
Other
Current Great Lakes St. Lawrence Water Levels
This page has a map showing the Great Lakes and the gauging stations located on the various lakes.
Exploring Nature
Exploring Nature Educational Resource: Wetlands of the World
A set of illustrated fact pages and activity sheets on different wetlands ecosystems, e.g. the Florida Everglades and Chesapeake Bay.
National Wildlife Federation
National Wildlife Federation: Great Lakes
Visit this resource to briefly explore the geography and history, meet the wildlife, and understand the threats to the Great Lakes basin.
Read Works
Read Works: Great Lakes
[Free Registration/Login Required] Students read about environmental issues causing problems for the Great Lakes. A question sheet is available to help students build skills in drawing conclusions.
Curated OER
Cbc News: Acid Rain Has Lingering Impact on Canadian Lakes: A Study
Have the Great Lakes been cleaned up? Is there no longer any fear for its future? The answer is no. Recent studies reveal that problems still exist, and these are addressed in the article.
Ohio History Central
Ohio History Central: Lakes, Rives, & Canals
This site provides a brief introduction to the river system and canals of Ohio. Includes a history of the canal system, details and maps of the drainage throughout the state, and how the river systems are used today.
Other
Great Lakes Recycle: Recycled Products Showcase
This Great Lakes Recycle site allows you see pictures and descriptions of many items created from recycled goods.