LAKE SUPERIOR YOUTH SYMPOSIUM

PROGRAM DESCRIPTIONS FOR FRIDAY, MAY 11, 2007

FRIDAY: Half-Day sessions 9:00-11:45 or 1:00 – 3:45

(Programs are listed alphabetically)

Amphibians in the Spring

Ryne Rutherford, MooseWood Nature Center

Live amphibians, egg masses and tadpoles will be brought in and discussed. The breading rituals of native amphibian species will be emphasized during the program. This presentation includes a field outing to search for amphibians.

BarkArt: Birch Bark in a New Form

Kristi A. Mills, Big Bay Outfitters

Learn about the historical, cultural, artistic and medicinal uses of birch bark. Create your own birch bark container to share or trade with your friends.

Copper Bowls

Wade Wiartalla

Make a copper bowl using a stone and log to pound and shape it. The copper will be softened using a fire and water.

Geo-caching

Cindy Deo, Marquette Area Public Schools

Linda O’Brien, environmental educator

Learn to use a GPS and how to input coordinates to find a hidden treasure. Also, learn how to hide a cache for others to find.

Geology Hike: Black Rocks and Lake Superior Shoreline

John Anderton, Geography Department

Hike to the rugged Lake Superior shoreline to examine rare volcanic rocks. Learn about the geology that formed the Lake Superior basin, and examine some of the ancient shorelines. This is a 1-mile hike along fairly steep terrain and a 1 mile return trip along the same path.

Kayaking on Lake Independence

Take a 2-hour introductory kayaking lesson on Lake Independence, near Big Bay, using a two-person sea kayak. Personal flotation devices are provided and REQUIRED to be worn. This requires special permission on the student form.

FRIDAY: Single Sessions 9:00-10:15 10:30-11:45 1:00-2:15 2:30-3:45

(Programs are listed alphabetically)

Anishinaabe Songs & Dance Regalia

Tim Derwin, American Indian Coordinating Council

This is a presentation on traditional dance in the Great Lakes region. Songs on a hand drum will be shared along with stories about the songs. Questions are encouraged.

Aquatic Invaders of Lake Superior

Ronald E. Kinnunen, Michigan Sea Grant (Michigan State University)

Numerous aquatic invasive species have entered into the Lake Superior basin including ruffe, gobies, spiny water flea, sea lamprey, zebra mussel, Eurasian watermilfoil, and purple loosestrife. Many of these species are a cause for concern as they can have impacts on the aquatic ecology and fisheries in Lake Superior and their spread to inland locations and other geographic watersheds is of great concern. The potential implication of aquatic invasive species on the aquatic ecology and fisheries will be reviewed.

Biodiesel 101

T.J. Brown, Northern Options, Biodiesel Coordinator

Karen Schmitt, Marquette Senior High School

What is biodiesel? Why is it considered a “green” alternative energy? How is it made? In this session, you will learn the answers to these questions and get a chance to make your own biodiesel from waste vegetable oil.

Birds of the Lake Superior Region - Birding Walk

Louis Taccolini, Laughing Whitefish Audubon Society

This session includes a brief presentation on birds of the Lake Superior region and tips for identifying them, followed by a hike to see what’s flying.

A Chipmunk, a Moose, and a Rabbit: learning to work with all the animals in the forest (9:00 and 10:30)

Joe Lubig and Derek Anderson, Northern Michigan University School of Education

Really, come on in to this session to work with all the members of your pack to solve fun and challenging group problems! You will leave this session with the skill and ability to work with all types of “animals.”

Citizen-Science Field Research (Bird Banding)

Michael Scheiwe, Moosewood Nature Center

Real field work with real wildlife! The spring bird migration is on and we will capture, handle, identify, process and release both resident birds and migrants. Begin your training toward becoming licensed.

Dream Catchers

Peggie Shelfoe, Elder

Make a dream catcher to take home. Learn the story behind the dream catcher. Happy Dreams!

Finnish-Scandinavian Harmonica tunes from the Lumberjack Camps

Les Ross, master performing artist

Listen to tunes from the lumberjack era and learn some tips for playing this distinctive “accordion-style” of harmonica. Les Ross has been awarded the status of “master” performing artist by the National Council for the Traditional Arts and by the Michigan Traditional Arts Program run by Michigan State University. Harmonicas are provided for this session. If you bring your own, please have one in the key of C.

Global Climate Change

Gregg Bruff, National Park Service

Learn the basics of global climate change, how it will likely affect our National Parks and what you can do to help.

A Historical Tour of Big Bay

Susan Hornbogen, Marquette Senior High School

Once upon a time its people produced wooden car bodies, logged its extensive forests, played host to the most prosperous families in America and ended up in a famous book and movie. This little town at the end of County Road 550 has a rich and varied history.

FRIDAY Single Sessions (continued) 9:00-10:15 10:30-11:45 1:00-2:15 2:30-3:45

Hoop Dance Presentation

Megan Tucker and Summer Cohen

Youth instructor, Megan Tucker, will teach basic hoop dance techniques and styles. There will also be a demonstration on making hoops. Be ready to get up and move.

Lake Superior Fish Identification and Anatomy

Philip Schneeberger, Department of Natural Resources

A variety of Lake Superior fish species will be presented for examination and identification. Fish specimens will be dissected to demonstrate aspects of fish anatomy and adaptation to their environment.

Lake Superior’s Unique Weather Events & the Dangers of Rip Currents

Dave Guenther, National Weather Service

Ron. Kinnunen, Michigan Sea Grant (Michigan State University)

Lake Superior is the largest freshwater lake in the world by surface area and does affect the weather in the region. Some of these weather events can be extremely severe as witnessed by the sinking of the Great Lakes freighter Edmund Fitzgerald during a November gale. Closer to shore weather events on Lake Superior can result in rip currents that can carry swimmers off shore and result in drowning accidents. What can you do to get yourself out of a dangerous rip current will be reviewed.

Life Aboard a Great Lakes Freighter

Captain Mark Phillips, Great Lakes Maritime Academy, Retired

Admiral John Tanner, Northwestern Michigan College

Hear about the challenges and benefits of working and living on ships. Learn how to apply for seasonal work, earning $20,000 for 100 days aboard ship. Find out what training is needed to be a ship officer, and learn about job prospects aboard Great Lakes ships.

Michigan Wolves

Brian Roell, Michigan Department of Natural Resources

This presentation will cover the general biology of wolves, walking everyone through a year in the life of a wolf. There will be a focus on the history of wolves in Michigan along with providing an update on the current status of wolves at the Federal and State levels along with a brief overview of recent judicial cases. Finally, there will be a discussion on problems associated with wolves and humans including the “Little Red Riding Hood Syndrome.”

Non-native Invasive Plant Species

Deb LeBlanc, USDA Forest Service

Lauri LaBumbard, USDA Forest Service

Learn the most common weeds and the problem they can create to our native plant communities. Learn how to monitor and map weed-locations. Learn how to be proactive by using native plants in restoration of impacted ecosystems.

Wild Writing – Writing in Nature: Sensing Yourself in the World

Kim Parlato, Marquette Area Public Schools

How do your senses help you become a better scientist?  How do science skills make you a better writer?  Explore the outdoors using all of your senses then apply your new perceptions in creative writing.  Lots of great tricks to inspire your imagination and produce great writing!