We’ve had to step back from the Milwaukee Waters Investigation this year, but are thrilled to see it continue. For current information on the program visit FreshwaterToolkit.org.

The May 13, 2025 MWI event location

In 2025 we partnered again with the Friends of Lakeshore State Park to host all teachers and their students at Lakeshore State Park (see map below).

Lakeshore State Park is an awesome urban park right on the lake with the Summerfest Organization and Discovery World museum as its neighbors.

Participating Schools

We are happy to welcome our 2025 participating teachers and schools:

Megan Calice – Eastbrook Academy
Samantha Camacho – H.W. Longfellow Community School
Ann Eubank – Franklin School
Tina Gleason – Golda Meir School
Kristi Hepp – Milwaukee Sign Language School
Wendy Milosz – Walt Whitman
Lalitha Murali – Glen Hills Middle School
Allison Pelsis – Hawley Environmental

The Opportunity for Teachers & Students

MWI offers a field experience at Lakeshore State Park, bringing teachers and students from across Milwaukee together to engage in various water-science focused activities. This is a truely collaborative initiative that brings together community science, education, environmental, and business partners to plan for and use this event as a real-world exploration that focuses on Milwaukee’s waterways.

Project Components

Teacher Professional Development meetings: Four 1-hour meetings – one in-person and three Zoom. in late January, March, April and late May.
3 easy pre-investigation activities for the classroom and school yard.
Free in-class presentation: MKE’s Waters and Beyond (world’s water resources) and an interactive 3D watershed model demo.
Day @ The Waters Investigation event in early May. Students tour the park as they rotate through activities with partner organizations, and then have a lakeside and city view picnic.
Post-investigation activity ideas and brief project evaluation surveys of students and teachers.

Project Benefits

Offers support for teachers and gets students out of the classroom.
Funding support includes a $200 stipend for participating teachers.
Supports WI state standards: Connects students to their waterways and community and other multi-disciplinary topics.
Encourages collaboration with community partners and businesses partners working in water and the media.
Exposes students to potential career path ideas.
Other Resources: Optional visits and presentations by project partners at your convenience.3