Monroe Public Schools, the Monroe County Intermediate School District, and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources are working together in partnership towards the continuing development of the Charles & June Knabusch Mathematics & Science Center. The facility provides students with hands-on experiences in the natural world using Lake Erie and the surrounding environment as a learning laboratory for problem solving, observing, and discovery. 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 (2009-10 school year), four high school classes are housed at the center, which include Biology, Geometry, Ecology & Independent Research Topics. These classes are open to all Monroe County high school students. Telecommunications and other technological tools for student-directed research and problem solving are a prime component of all classes that we teach. In addition, field trips to the center are available year-round to all Monroe County Schools. Also offered are a variety of summer day camps, as well as professional development opportunites for educators.

The center offers students and educators 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:

William “Tom” Green, Coordinator

Monroe Public Schools / Monroe County ISD

Knabusch Mathematics & Science Center

6670 Waters Edge Drive

Monroe, MI 48161

734-265-5200