T.R. Davis Elementary- Food for Animals and People

In 2022-23, the elementary students at Dollar Bay- Tamarack City Elementary School are  addressing community & watershed needs by: 

• learning how to plant native plants and why that's important

• growing their own food in the school garden spaces

• caring for natural areas 

 Copper Island Academy - Rain Gardens and Runoff

In 2021- 2022, K-8 students at Copper Island Academy are learning about environmental factors and concerns like road salt and stormwater runoff. They designed a rain garden in order to prevent some of the runoff from our parking lot from entering the wetlands on our school property. 

Students collected data on Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) and did site analysis including runoff mapping and pervious and impervious surfaces to propose the location and design of a rain garden on our school grounds. 

In 2022-2023 students surveyed needs related to TDS and erosion for rain gardens in their school neighborhood to develop partnerships within their local community.

Barkell Elementary - Pollination Garden

We worked on weeding and planting native species in our pollination garden. We worked on the problems of invasive species in our area and the impacts of them. 

E.B. Holman - Knowing Your Place

The 2022-23 LSSI team has been working on expanding and improving our current projects. In 2022 we added pollinator gardens, increased our composting capabilities, and involved more students in our beekeeping program.  E.B. Holman has participated in LSSI with a Stewardship Project for the last 15 years. This year's team is made up of 2nd, 5th, 6th, 7th, and 8th graders. Watch the videos above to see what we have been doing!

Houghton Middle School - What’s Snow Interesting About Life the Keweenaw?

This project highlights how snow and winter affects many aspects of our lives in this unique community and environment. Topics included snow physics, weather, community and human impacts, and biodiversity. Even with climate change, the large amount of snow we experience each winter here in the Keweenaw is not going away anytime soon. Snow, especially in the extraordinary amounts that we receive it, requires specific knowledge, equipment, infrastructure, and systems to manage it and thrive in it. There are unique skills and knowledge that must be passed on to subsequent generations to make life here possible and enjoyable, and to be able to protect our special lands and ecosystems. Students studied snow fall record data and collected and examined different kinds of snow crystals. They heard from various guest speakers and participated in hands-on activities related to their presentation topics. They also interviewed someone about their epic snow experiences and turned these interviews into short stories highlighting the excitement and hardships that come with big snow. We then collaborated with a 7th grade ELA class to get feedback on the students’ drafts before finalizing their stories to share with our community partners and fellow classmates. 

In addition to learning a bit of science behind the formation of snow crystals and various weather patterns that produce the unique snow conditions we experience in our area, students met various professionals and interviewed elders, broadening their ideas about jobs related to snow and the impacts of snow on life in the Keweenaw and developing an appreciation for the unique weather and landscape we experience here.

Access stories here! 

Stranded in Snow by Katia Rudak

Immersed in Windy White by Sophia Blake

Chassell High School - School Forest Biodiversity Project

Our new project involves documenting the biodiversity in our “backyard”. One of the ways we are doing this is with Critter Cameras (game cameras) to observe wildlife. We will also be documenting weather patterns with our new weather station to collect data on how weather impacts biodiversity and species interactions. 

Luther L. Wright High School - Schoolyard Beautification & Pondering Stewardship 

High school Biology, AP Environmental science, Chemistry and Earth Science classes (MS 7th and 8th grade sciences) prepped flower beds with 1st and 3rd grade classes.  Together we beautified OUR  school yard with a mix of annuals and perennials!

Students in AP Environmental Science classroom also visited Miner’s Memorial Park to learn about the history of the area and the issue related to its mining. After our visit students used the Eathforce Project selection tool to consider Miner’s Memorial Park and Aurora Pond to consider the projects that would fit the needs of the place and be of interest. Students selected butterfly garden and Aurora Pond water quality monitoring as key projects that are of importance to them and would benefit the community watershed.