Great Lakes Research Center, Portage Library to host science program on Great Lakes July 1

Michigan Tech's Great Lakes Research Center (GLRC). Boat docks are to the right of photo. The GLRC will partner with Portage Lake District Library for a special science program on the Great Lakes, including a boat ride on the Agassiz research vessel on Tuesday, July 1. (Keweenaw Now file photo)

HOUGHTON -- The Michigan Tech Great Lakes Research Center (GLRC) will partner with Portage Lake District Library to host a special science program that will pique students' interest in the Great Lakes and what lives there.

The program is scheduled for 6 p.m. - 9 p.m., Tuesday, July 1, and will begin at the library. Participants will ride the Agassiz research boat to the GLRC where they’ll visit a laboratory to use microscopes to peer at the water and dissect a fish stomach to find out what they eat! At the completion of the lab, students and adults will travel by Michigan Tech van back to the library where there will be more to do.

Station Activities

Station One: A library book activity run by the library staff in the community room of the library. All ages are welcome.

Station Two: The remotely operated vehicle (ROV) run by Dollar Bay High School SOAR -- outside the library on the dock. All ages are welcome.

Outside the Portage Lake District Library, Dollar Bay science teacher Matt Zimmer, second from left, chats with students, parents and kids during a demonstration of the Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs), or underwater robots, students designed and constructed in their Marine Robotics classes (2011-12) and took to Isle Royale in May 2012 to monitor invasive species such as zebra mussels. (Keweenaw Now file photo)

Station Three: The scientific excursion on Agassiz, which will board at the dock by the library. It is for ages seven and up, with room for 14 youth and adults. The Agassiz departure times are as follows: 6, 6:45, 7:30 and 8:15 p.m. It is advised to arrive 15 minutes early.

Station three also has boat making at the library, which will be run by the library staff and will be held at the swimming pool on the lawn outside. All ages are welcome.

Station Four: A visit to the GLRC Lab to view plankton with a microscope, dissect fish stomachs and examine sediment/Diporeia. The Agassiz will drop off youth and adults at the lab. Lab participants will return to the library via Michigan Tech van.

Station four also will be hosting the opportunity to make A Great Lakes Mural along the library windows. The library staff will be running this event. All ages are welcome.

Reserve a space on the Agassiz by calling the Portage District Library at 482-4570 or sign up at the library checkout desk. First come, first served.

For more information, contact Joan Chadde at 487-3341 at the GLRC or Chris Alquist at 482-4570 at the Portage Lake District Library.

This program is funded by General Motors and the Portage District Library.