Kits
The library loans a variety of education kits to formal and informal educators as well as to librarians and parents in support of Great Lakes and water science literacy. In addition to the physical kits, most of the associated curricula and activities are available online. The topic and grade/age level for each kit and lesson plan is noted below.
We would love to hear about your experience using the kits or lessons. Please send us an email at askwater@aqua.wisc.edu.
On this page
Library STEM Kits
These curriculum kits were developed by the library staff with the Wisconsin Water Library. To learn more about Wisconsin Sea Grant’s education opportunities and resources for educators, visit their website.
Does it Sink or Float?
Topic: Buoyancy
For all ages
2018
Call number: 232434
Buoyancy takes center stage in this interactive STEM storytime, allowing boats to float (or sink) along as main characters. Does It Sink or Float? includes a step-by-step storytime guide, experiment on buoyancy, and list of reading resources, along with four read-aloud books.
Jump Around with Frogs!
Topic: Amphibians
For all ages
2018
Call number: 281686
This STEM kit introduces children to our favorite stout and friendly amphibians! Jump Around with Frogs! includes a comprehensive, step-by-step storytime guide and list of reading resources, along with four read-aloud books, and a craft idea.
Once a Pond a Time
Topic: Ponds; bodies of water
For all ages
2018
Call number: 071246
The Once a Pond a Time STEM kit includes the What’s in a Pond? with game pieces by designer Kristen Rost, a comprehensive, step-by-step storytime guide and a list of reading resources, along with five read-aloud books.
Education Kits
These curriculum kits were developed by the Wisconsin Sea Grant education staff. To learn more about Wisconsin Sea Grant education program’s many more opportunities and resources for educators, both formal and nonformal, visit their website.
Aquatic Invaders Attack Pack
Topic: Aquatic invasive species
For grades 4 — 10
2018
Call number: 281642
The Attack Pack is a rucksack filled with materials to help students and other groups learn about Great Lakes aquatic invasive species, the problems they cause and what can be done about them.
Fish-o-pedia
Topic: Great Lakes fish
For ages 4 — 10 (or older)
2019
Call number: 281817
The Fish-o-pedia Pack is an education pack filled with materials to help teach students and other groups about Great Lakes fish. Each pack includes average size vinyl cutouts of twelve native and non-native Great Lakes fish. The pack also contains the Fish-o-pedia cards – filled with facts and figures about each of the species. Also included is the 4th edition of The Life of the Lakes: a Guide to the Great Lakes Fishery (2019) Brandon C. Schroeder, Dan M. O’Keefe, and Shari L. Dann with Michigan Sea Grant.
Me and Debry!
Topic: Marine debris prevention
For grade 5 — adult
2023
Call number: 162755
Me and Debry is a half-hour, whimsical, audience participation, theatrical performance about litter (marine debris) prevention. The rhyming script was written by David Daniel of American Players Theater. It is designed for both formal and informal educational settings.
Plastic Panic
Topic: Plastic
For all ages
2023
Call number: 162742
Model the journey water takes at a Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) through a series of hands-on steps around a tabletop model. Learn about our microplastic pollution problem, and discover what happens to the pollutants as they enter and pass through a WWTP.
ROVe Pack
Topic: Engineering
For grades 6 — 9
2017
Call number: 240579
Middle school students can experience the engineering process while learning about Great Lakes maritime history and underwater exploration with this loan-able pack. ROVe (Remotely Operating Vehicles and Engineering) provides a rich learning experience aligned to the engineering principles found in the NGSS (Next Generation Science Standards). The ROVe Pack provides the lesson plan and equipment necessary for teachers to carry out the engineering design process with their students as they build their own simple ROVs within a regular classroom while using common classroom supplies and a small children’s pool.
Trash Trunk
Topic: Marine debris
For all ages
2020
Call number: 162743
The Trash Trunk is designed for both formal and informal educational settings. The loanable trunk contains an Educator’s Guide with fourteen lessons and activities reprinted from a variety of sources, informational display cards, and supporting materials needed to perform the activities. The Trash Trunk Educator’s Guide and Display Cards are available digitally.
Watershed Game
Topic: Nonpoint source pollution and resilience
For grade 6 to 8 (stream model) or grade 6-12 (coast model)
Stream model – 2018, Coast model – 2023
Learn about practices, plans, and policies that improve and protect the quality of a stream, lake, river or coastal region while making management choices about land use in a fun, and low-stress environment. The object of this team-building simulation is for each participant or team to use limited financial resources to reduce excess nonpoint source pollution (e.g., excess sediment, nitrogen and/or phosphorus) to levels that meet a clean water goal.
Call numbers:
Stream model – 181654, Coast model – 181653
