Outreach
The Wisconsin Water Library offers programming on water and Great Lakes science for anyone in Wisconsin, ages three and up. Library staff are available to visit your library or classroom and present a fun-filled, science-based program on the Great Lakes, the waters of Wisconsin, and water science in general.
Explore some of the Wisconsin Water Library’s outreach programs. Please contact us to arrange an outreach visit to your classroom or library.
On this page
Programs for Kids
Ages 3+
All the Water in the World
Water is life! And one of our most precious resources. Come take a trip around the water cycle and learn about some cool properties of this wet resource. There will be lots of hands-on activities – prepare to get wet!
Ages 5+
Dive Deep in Great Lakes Shipwrecks
It’s time to dive deep into Lake Michigan to explore a real shipwreck, The Silver Lake. We will transform into marine archeologists and learn about the fated voyage of the scow schooner that went down in the waters near Sheboygan!
Ages 6 – 12
Goodbye Garbage in our Great Lakes
Garbage in our Great Lakes? Yuck! Plastics in our water? Ugh! Where does it come from and what can we do about it? A lot, actually. We’ll read some stories, explore some science and brainstorm an action plan.
Ages 3+
Let’s Go Fishing for Some Great, Great Lakes Fish!
Many things make our Great Lakes very great! They contain 20% of the world’s fresh water and 35,000 islands but what swims underwater is what delights and excites us. We’ll explore the fish that live in Lake Michigan and Lake Superior and what makes them special. A very special guest Stella Sturgeon is invited to join us!
Ages 5+
It’s Cold Outside – Time to Take the Hypothermia Challenge!
Let’s explore the beauty and temperatures of winter. Ms. Anne will read some stories about animals that adapt to the cold of winter. And she will challenge you with the Hypothermia Challenge to see how humans must adapt to the cold temps too!
Any age
Got Suggestions?
Don’t see what you’re looking for? Get in touch to see how we can help. We have also done programs on Buoyancy/Ships, Turtles, Climate and Weather, the Water Cycle, and more!
Programs for Adults
Our Great Lakes in the 21st Century: Challenges and Opportunities
Just 3% of the water on earth is freshwater and the Great Lakes have 20% of that supply. Two million people worldwide today face some sort of water-supply shortages and 5 million die from water-borne diseases. What are the specific stressors that face our Great Lakes today and what are we doing about it? Anne will introduce current the science and the issues facing our precious resource.
Plastics in the Great Lakes
Marine debris is defined as any persistent solid material that is disposed or abandoned in the marine environment or the Great Lakes. It is a global problem – there is no part of the world left untouched by debris and its impacts. Marine debris is a threat to our environment, navigation safety, the economy, and human health. One type of marine debris of particular concern – plastics – is among the most common type and can be a serious threat to the biota of the water body. The good news is we can all reduce significantly our generation of plastic marine debris. Come hear an introduction to the science of plastics in our Great Lakes and share ways you can prevent it.