The EEGS Department and Seaborg Mathematics and Science Center co-hosted the 2025 Summer Environmental Science Camp. Eighteen high school students from the region and one from Colorado immersed themselves in the college experience for one week in July. They lived in The Woods, ate meals at Northern Lights Dining, and explored the surroundings. The campers (and Norman the Northern Gnome) visited sites around the Marquette area to learn about geology, hydrology, soils, watersheds, sustainability, conservation, and restoration.
The first morning of camp, geologist Richard Ziegler led a tour of Marquette’s rocks—tracing the pathway of iron from where it is mined to where it is loaded onto ore vessels on Lake Superior. Stops included the Michigan Iron Industry Museum, Jasper Knob (with Irontown Pasties for lunch at the top), and Black Rocks at Presque Isle.
Tuesday’s focus was on the hydrology and soils. Dr. Angela Lafuente led the field exercises, introducing the campers to tools used to measure stream flow and describe soils in different settings, including wetlands and uplands.
On Wednesday the students interpreted topographic maps and measured how far they would travel along the meandering stream. Then the group paddled down the Au Train River to the mouth at Lake Superior. They enjoyed the day on the water, stopping for a picnic and refreshing swim.
The focus of Thursday morning was on energy. Dr. Jongeun You’s high-energy presentation delighted the campers as they learned about renewable sources of energy at a global scale. After lunch it was time to meet the Wildpups and their handlers to chill and relax. Then, Dr. Anna Solberg (EEGS alumna) from SHINE hosted an informative walking tour to highlight sustainability initiatives at NMU. The tour ended in the Outdoor Learning Area, where participants engaged all five of their senses in the new sensory garden.
On the final full day, Kathleen Henry (EEGS alumna) taught about the efforts of Superior Watershed Partnership to promote coastal resilience as the climate changes. The campers helped characterize trash collected by BeBot, the beach clean-up machine, and planted beach grass to stabilize the Lake Superior shoreline.
On Saturday the campers presented posters at a Showcase of Learning before departing. Kari Garcia, Director of Admissions, gave each camper a certificate of completion with an invitation to return to NMU as college students. Go Future Wildcats!
Thanks to the following contributors for supporting this ninth Environmental Science Camp:
- The six amazing NMU students who served as dedicated counselors: Avery, Camden, Carley, Delaney, Sadie, Willow;
- Seaborg Center staff Chris Standerford, Renee Jewett, and Lisa Mattson;
- Coordinator of Exploratory Advising Kelsey Avey and Dr. Susy Ziegler who co-directed the camp; and
- EEGS Principal Administrative Assistant Jana Nicholls who assisted behind the scenes.