As heard at 9 a.m. Sept. 21, 2012, on Delta College’s Friday Edition, Q-90.1 FM …

1. Attention teachers and parents: There’s a new tool to educate high schoolers about the Great Lakes. 

It’s for students in grades nine through 12 and is called “Great Lakes in My World.”

The curriculum is an addition to a kindergarten-through-eighth-grade program by the same name.

Great Lakes in My World was developed by the Alliance for the Great Lakes, and has been endorsed by representatives from various organizations, including Shedd Aquarium and the University of Wisconsin.

The new curriculum aims to “give high school students a meaningful way to learn scientific, geographic and research skills while learning about the Great Lakes,” says Alliance Education Coordinator Katie Larson.

The curriculum is focused on coastal habitats, restoration, careers, and stewardship.

Both the K-through-eight and new version of Great Lakes in My World align with Common Core and state learning standards for science and social studies in Michigan.

2. The Saginaw Bay Watershed Initiative Network has a new small grant program for local projects.

The 2012 Community Action Mini-Grant Program offers funding to organizations that are working to make improvements in neighborhoods, communities, and watersheds within the framework of “sustainability.”

That is, the projects should “balance economic, environmental, and social priorities to enhance the quality of life for this and future generations.”

The network plans to award grants of up to $1,000 to applicants whose projects show creativity, and address an important and demonstrated need.

The deadline to apply is coming up, on Oct. 12.

Eligible organizations include nonprofits, local governments, and educational institutions.

For more information, see SaginawBayWIN.org (pdf).

3. Saginaw Bay WIN also is hosting a series of ongoing meetings to discuss issues related to the Saginaw Bay and its tributaries.

The first meeting is set for Sept. 27 at the Wirt Library in downtown Bay City. A public session (pdf) runs from 6 to 7:30 p.m.

The evening session will be used to gather public input on a work plan being put together by Public Advisory Council of the state-sponsored Saginaw Bay Coastal Initiative.

Planned is a discussion of issue affecting Saginaw Bay, and citizen concerns.

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