Joan Schumaker Chadde

Biography

I have been engaged in water/natural resource, science/STEM and environmental education for the past 30 years, working at environmental education centers, outdoor leadership programs, statewide nonprofit environmental organizations and the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation. For the past 22 years, I’ve worked at the Michigan Tech Center for Science & Environmental Outreach and as a partner in the Western Upper Peninsula Center for Science, Math & Environmental Education. I am engaged in developing and facilitating dynamic, engaging learning opportunities to spark interest, understanding and appreciation of STEM and natural resource stewardship amongst K-12 students, teachers and communities.

I am co-author of the nationally disseminated Family Engineering Activity & Event Planning Guide, and the lead author for the Michigan Environmental Education Curriculum Support (MEECS) Water Quality Unit for middle school students in Michigan. I am committed to developing and facilitating dynamic, engaging STEM learning opportunities for diverse audiences of teachers and K-12 students, to spark interest, build confidence, and encourage STEM and natural resource career paths. In 2014, I received the William Stapp Award, one of the most prestigious state awards bestowed by the Michigan Alliance for Environmental and Outdoor Education.

Courses

ED3510/ED3511 Communicating Science Spring and Fall

K-12 Teacher Professional Learning Institutes

where teacher participants earn graduate credit from Michigan Technological University (5-day)

• Great Lakes Watershed Investigations ~ 2002, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2012-2014
• Forest Ecology & Resources ~ 2004, 2005, 2007, 2009-12, 2014
• Future Fuels from Forests ~ 2008-2010
• Global Change ~ 2005-2010, 2013, 2014, 2016
• Great Lakes Maritime Transportation ~ 2006, 2007, 2008, 2010-2013
• Engaging Your Students in Authentic Science Research ~ 2015, 2016
• Design A Sustainable Future ~ 2015, 2016