Skip to main content

From Students to Stewards (FS2S)

Sleeping Bear Dunes on Lake Michigan's lakeshore
Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy

From Students to Stewards (FS2S)

The From Students to Stewards Initiative was launched in 2019 to grow future water stewards and leaders and help students from elementary through high school learn about the Great Lakes, Michigan’s watersheds, and actions people can take to steward water resources across the state. It started as a collaboration among the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy’s Office of the Great Lakes, the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity's MiSTEM Network, and the Michigan Department of Education.

Currently, the program offers funding to support transportation to freshwater-focused field experiences for students.

This phase of the program is funded by the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative. 

EGLE staff presented details of the From Students to Stewards Requests for Proposals and Applications in a webinar on Wednesday, March 18, 2026. The Student Community-Based Water Stewardship Project Funding Opportunity described in this webinar closed on April 13, 2026, but the Wheels to Water program is still open for applications.

Watch the recording

For information on past efforts, check out the 2022 State of the Great Lakes report and the 2024 State of the Great Lakes report.

Funding opportunities

  • Wheels to Water pilot program

    This program offers non-competitive grants of up to $1,000 to help Michigan-based schools cover transportation costs for field trips to Michigan’s freshwater ecosystems.

    Key details:

    • Who can apply? Schools and school districts in Michigan.
    • What’s covered? Transportation-related costs.
    • When to apply? March 2026 through December 2026, or until funds run out.
    • When must trips occur? Between August 2026 and May 2027.
    • What’s required? Field trips must occur in a Michigan freshwater ecosystem and include experiential learning activities that teach students about the Great Lakes and advance their Great Lakes literacy. 

    Download the Request for Application

    Apply online for the Wheels to Water pilot program
Eileen Boekestein, environmental education manager with the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE), demonstrates water quality tests in the H20 Q Kit backpack educators can check out from EGLE’s environmental lending station.

Freshwater education partners and resources for educators

Learn about programs and educational resources in the state of Michigan that support 3P learning and promote stewardship of Michigan's watersheds and environment.

Explore the online resources dashboard

This information has been gathered to provide resources and information to anyone interested in beginning, continuing, or expanding their work to incorporate these learning practices and gain literacy beyond the classroom about the Great Lakes and stewarding local water resources. 

Many of these resources are designed for teachers and students, but some are useful for anyone interested in learning more about Michigan’s water. The list was last updated in January 2026 and will be updated at least annually.

Submit new or updated information

Contact us

Please email Katie Mika, Great Lakes Stewardship Coordinator, at MikaK2@Michigan.gov with any additional questions on From Students to Stewards opportunities.

Resources