Eileen Boekestein
boekesteine@michigan.gov
616-403-1615
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Welcome to EGLE Classroom! Here you can learn more about the work that EGLE does to protect Michigan’s air, land, water, and public health.
EGLE’s mission is to protect Michigan’s environment and public health by managing air, water, land, and energy resources. Our vision is a Michigan that respects people, treasures natural resources, and fosters thriving communities throughout our two peninsulas. Environmental Education is a critical tool in achieving that mission and vision by helping to develop the knowledge, attitudes, and skills needed for Michiganders of all ages to understand and act on environmental issues. EGLE Classroom is a place where educators, families, and youth can access the resources they need to learn about Michigan’s environment, EGLE’s work to protect it, and what they can do to contribute to that work.
EnviroSchool webinars are for teachers, interpreters, and environmental educators. Check out our 2023-2024 webinars. Missed last years lineup? Want to catch up? Watch our recordings from the 2022-2023 series.
Michigan Green Schools is dedicated to helping all Michigan schools achieve environmental goals including the protection of our state's air, land, water and animals through good ecological practices and the teaching of environmental stewardship.
The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) celebrates Earth Day every year in April. Watch the recorded 2023 Student webinar.
MEECS contains seven Michigan-specific units that provide an opportunity for students in grades 3-12 to learn about Michigan's economy and environment through inquiry oriented, data-based lessons in Science and Social Studies.
The EGLE Lending Station allows educators to borrow materials that engage students in real-life Great Lakes-based education with hands-on learning. The EnviroScape®, Sand & Gravel Simulator models, and H2O Q Kits (water quality backpacks) and more are available for lending to your classroom or organization.
MEECS Air Quality: Five full lessons on Michigan Air Quality are available via the Michigan GoOpen platform.
Air Quality Monitoring
Radon
Open Burning in Michigan
"Open burning" is the burning of unwanted materials such as paper, trees, brush, leaves, grass, and other debris where smoke and other emissions are released directly into the air. During open burning, air pollutants do not pass through a chimney or stack.
Ozone & Fine Particulates
Climate Resources
MEECS Climate Change Unit: Fourteen full lessons on the impacts of climate change in Michigan are available via the Michigan GoOpen platform
Teachers can see video examples of how to lead these lessons for free on PBS Learning Media
Climate Kids is a NASA affiliated website used as a fun education resource for children to easily understand climate change and other environmental issues. It includes games, short videos, information about common green careers and green technologies, and other environmental topics kids can learn about. There is also an Educator Resources section with interactive activities to help families and teachers explain these topics to children.
NOAA’s Toolbox for teaching Climate and Energy provides supporting resources and programs for those who want to teach climate and energy science.
CLEAN: Climate Literacy and Energy Awareness Network – Free teaching resources, curated by scientists, designed to step students through the key principles of climate and energy. For grades K-12 through college.
Energy Resources
MEECS Energy Unit: Eight full lessons on Michigan’s Energy sources, uses, and conservation are available via the Michigan GoOpen Platform
DTE Virtual Wind and Solar Park Field Trip - The 27-minute virtual field trip takes students to Michigan’s largest wind and solar parks to help students learn about how these clean energy technologies work and the important role they play in helping reduce carbon emissions.
The U.S. Energy Information Administration’s Energy Kids program provides energy related stories, hands-on activities, and research articles for your classroom! These curriculum-based lessons are separated by age-grade.
The PBS Energy Lab investigates what energy is, how it can be converted into useful forms, and why some sources are running low.
The U.S. Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy's Educator Resources page offers videos, 360 degree virtual tours, curriculum, coloring books, and other educational resources in English and Spanish.
The U.S. Department of Energy's Solar Decathlon Program works with National Energy Education Development (NEED) to provide free, Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) aligned curriculum on energy topics. Explore resources by grade level or by topic on the NEED Educator Resources page.
rEV Education provides an electric vehicle (EV) education program designed to educate students on the benefits of EVs through a STEM-based multimedia curriculum.
Square One Network's Innovative Vehicle Design Challenges engage students in active engineering practices as they design and build a variety of electric vehicles from miniature to full size.
By participating in the Michigan Battle of the Buildings, schools can compete with other buildings across the state to see who can reduce their energy usage by the greatest amount in this friendly competition that encourages energy-efficient practices.
Sustainability Fact Sheets - University of Michigan’s Center for Sustainable Systems maintains a set of peer-reviewed factsheets that cover important patterns of use, life cycle impacts and sustainable solutions around topics including energy, water, food, waste, buildings, materials, and transportation systems.
MEECS Land Use Unit: Eight full lessons around the classification, use, and restoration of Michigan land resources are available via Michigan's GoOpen Platform.
Ecosystem Services
Contaminated Site Cleanup
Landfill Education
EGLE: Solid Waste Programs - EGLE’s Solid Waste program offers a suite of resources on How Landfills Work. Visit the How Landfills Work Story Map, print out the Landfill Cross Section Poster (11x17), peruse a glossary of landfill terms, or print out the How Landfills Work handout.
Sustainable Materials Management Hierarchy – This resource goes beyond the traditional Reduce, Reuse, Recycle to prioritize actions we can all take to
prevent and divert unwanted materials from being landfilled.
The Quest for Less provides hands-on lessons and activities, enrichment ideas, journal writing assignments, and other educational tools related to preventing and reusing waste. This document includes factsheets, activities, and teaching notes for 6-8th grade teachers.
Tools to Reduce Waste in Schools is a resource developed by EPA to assist schools in the development and implementation of waste reduction programs.
Recycling
EGLE: Recycling Education Resources – Learn about recycling in Michigan on EGLE’s recycling page.
Recycling Raccoons – Learn the basics of curbside recycling from EGLE’s adorable Recycling Raccoons!
How Do I Handle This Waste? – Use EGLE’s Recycling Guide to find out how to dispose of various kinds of waste.
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle Resources for Students and Educators – Explore a variety of games, activities, and lessons around recycling from EPA.
How to start a school recycling program
Food Waste
EGLE: Food Waste – Learn about the simplest solution to carbon dioxide emissions – reducing food waste! – on EGLE’s Food Waste and Recovery page
Check out EGLE’s “Stop food waste” video
EGLE: Compost– Learn how to compost in this EGLE Classroom composting video
Learn how mid-Michigan is composting food waste in this EGLE Facility Spotlight video.
EGLE’s Sustainable Food Management Hierarchy prioritizes actions we can all take to prevent and divert wasted food
Pack A Waste-Free Lunch | US EPA – EPA developed the Waste-Free Lunch activities to help students learn how to reduce, reuse, and recycle items in their school lunches.
Reducing Food Waste Activity Book – Help Apple and her friends learn how to reduce food race and help protect the environment; Grades 3-5
Hazardous Waste
EGLE: Household Hazardous Waste – Learn how to identify, manage, and dispose of various household hazardous wastes from EGLE, including drug disposal.
Hazardous Waste 101 – Learn what is a hazardous waste under Michigan’s environmental laws, how it has to be handled, and what laws apply to hazardous waste generated by businesses in Michigan.
Scrap Tires
EGLE: Scrap Tires – Learn how scrap tires are being recycled. Check out Into the Outdoors video on recycling tires and featuring EGLE.
MEECS Water Quality Unit: Nine full lessons on Michigan’s Water Quality are available via the Michigan GoOpen Platform
The Michigan Water Stewardship Program
is a partnership of organizations led by the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development that provides educational assistance to Michigan's residents to identify and reduce contamination risks to water and other natural resources. The website features easy-to-find resources for a variety of ages from pre-school to adult on a wide range of water topics.
The Freshwater Literacy and Stewardship Playbook
was developed by the MiSTEM Network and the Office of the Great Lakes to cultivate environmental literacy and the capacity for stewardship of lakes, rivers, streams, and other freshwater bodies in K-12 students and educators. This resource helps educators, administrators, and community organizations establish a persistent practice of place-based education focused on freshwater resources and stewardship.
The Great Lakes Literacy Principles
provide a framework for educators teaching about the Great Lakes, helping teachers and students think about the Great Lakes as a system, rather than a set of unrelated parts. Thinking systemically can provide a greater understanding and help identify solutions to the issues threatening the region.
The Michigan Invasive Species Program is a partnership between EGLE, MDNR, and MDARD that provides resources around identification and reporting of aquatic and terrestrial invasive species.
NOAA Education curates a wealth of resources
for watershed, water quality, and stewardship education for the Great Lakes Region.
Great Lakes NOW: Resource for Teaching
offers a collection of lesson plans that engage students with the science and study of the Great Lakes.
Michigan SeaGrant’s H.O.M.E.S. at Home
webinar recordings are fun-filled, family-friendly videos full of Great Lakes fun facts, activity suggestions for students and families, and daily challenges.
Teaching Great Lakes Science
is a resource offered by Michigan SeaGrant and the Center for Great Lakes Literacy with a suite of lessons, activities, and data sets focused on the Great Lakes targeted for 4th-12th grades
H2O-Q In the Classroom: Water Chemistry in the Great Lakes Region
This program, run by Central Michigan University, provides teachers in grades 6-12 with water chemistry testing kits and full curriculum units on water chemistry. Students assess the health of local lakes and streams, enter their water quality data into a statewide map database, and take action to address local water quality concerns.
An outstanding network of environmental education professionals exists in the state of Michigan. EGLE Classroom participates in and supports environmental education partners working statewide, including:
Professional Organizations
Michigan Alliance for Environmental and Outdoor Education: This statewide professional organization supports, inspires and empowers a diverse network of individuals with a passion for environmental and outdoor learning. MAEOE also administers Michigan’s Environmental Educator Certification program.
Michigan Science Teachers Association: MSTA aids and informs its members of current issues and trends in science education. It provides opportunities for teachers to present their own materials and to interact with other science teachers at an annual conference, informs members of new developments at district, state, national, and international levels, and provides mini grants for activities that foster science education and/or teacher development.
Michigan Earth Science Teachers Association: MESTA provides support to Earth and Space Science teachers through an annual conference, classroom specimens of rocks and minerals, monetary awards and mini-grants for member teachers, and a quarterly journal (The Michigan Earth Scientist).
Educator Support Networks
Environmental Fridays: Environmental Fridays is a free online guest lecture series for high school and early college students. Speakers include university professors, environmental consultants, environmental activists, environmental attorneys and government experts from the United States, Caribbean and around the world. Topics include climate change; air, water, and soil pollution; environmental justice; environmental health and more. An emphasis on real-world examples to inspire and influence future career choices is included.
Great Lakes Stewardship Initiative: The GLSI is a network of teachers and community partners that develops knowledgeable and active stewards of the Great Lakes and their ecosystems through place-based studies and explorations in local communities. The initiative’s approach to teaching and learning results in vibrant, hands-on experiences that increase student achievement and help young Michigan residents become lifelong stewards of the environment.
Great Lakes Educators of Aquatic and Marine Science: GLEAMS is a network of educators including classroom teachers, non-formal educators, and higher education professionals, scientists, stakeholders, and community members interested in Great Lakes education. Members work together to promote Great Lakes education and stewardship efforts to diverse groups throughout the Great Lakes watershed and beyond.
Our outdoor skills, education, and recreational safety programs provide opportunities for people of all ages and abilities to develop their outdoor skills and knowledge of Michigan's natural resources, and to promote safe, responsible and ethical use of the outdoors.
We also offer educators a wide range of opportunities to bring natural resources experience and knowledge to the classroom.
Project Learning Tree (PLT) is an award-winning international environmental education program designed for teachers and other educators, parents and community leaders working with youth from preschool through grade 12.
The goal of the Project WET is to facilitate and promote the awareness, appreciation, knowledge, and stewardship of water resources through the development and dissemination of classroom ready teaching aids and the establishment of state and internationally sponsored Project WET programs.
Project WILD is an interdisciplinary conservation and environmental education program for K-12 educators. Project WILD provides professional development opportunities for teachers emphasizing awareness, appreciation and understanding of wildlife and natural resources through hands-on activities. These activities are interwoven with English language arts, math, science, and social studies.
