Monroe Public Schools, in partnership with the Monroe County Intermediate School District and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, is in the sixth year of its development of the Charles & June Knabusch Mathematics & Science Center. This facility is part of the district’s Lake Erie Environmental Outreach Program (LEEOP). The center’s primary purpose is to integrate into the school system and region knowledge and stewardship for their local environment, primarily Lake Erie and its surrounding environment. The facility, located in Bolles Harbor, has deep-water access to Lake Erie, 2 large ponds, and a diverse set of terrestrial environments.

The center has resulted in the district-wide dissemination of a comprehensive program to meet science, technology, and other educational outcomes through the study of aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. The Knabusch Mathematics & Science Center is addressing both environmental and scientific literacy issues. Water is used as the interdisciplinary theme that connects the school, teachers, and students with their community and the natural environment. This theme uses Lake Erie, local rivers, ponds, wetlands, groundwater, and drinking water to engage students in scientific discovery.

Presently (2008-09 school year), three double-blocked high school classes are permanently housed at the center. These classes are Biology, Geometry, and Ecology. Telecommunications and other technological tools for student-directed research and problem solving are a prime component of all classes that we teach. We are currently in the planning stages to make this a regional facility for teaching environmental/fisheries science and Lake Erie ecology in a K-12 context.

Secondarily, in the summer this facility allows all educators and students a facility to study the history, geography, hydrology (including groundwater and land use influences), water chemistry, biology, geographic information systems, (GIS) and political aspects of a watershed in general and Lake Erie specifically.

Partnerships with local industry, universities, governmental agencies, and citizen groups allow us to address real world problems pertaining to land and water resources.

We are demonstrating how a public school can integrate the local environment into all aspects of their K-12 curriculum. This facility and its programs will improve standardized test scores, and increase excitement among the students about their education. Another goal is to promote leadership, and establish a learning environment that motivates all students to attain and apply the knowledge and skills in mathematics and science necessary to meet the challenges of a modern, technological society.

For more information please contact:

Nicole Shaughnessy, Coordinator
Monroe Public Schools / Monroe County ISD
Lake Erie Environmental Outreach Program

Knabusch Mathematics & Science Center
6670 Waters Edge Drive
Monroe, MI 48161
734-265-5200