Gannon University has invited the community to fully explore Lake Erie in a way that gives access to local wildlife and the night sky. This new series allows for free, family-friendly educational programs for the community to enjoy within the Education and Research (CLEER) located inside the Blasco Library.
The series will take place from January until May allowing guests to enjoy hands-on programs that have been designed to directly encourage curiosity, conversations, and a deeper awareness of the environment for all those willing to learn at any age.
“Project NePTWNE and CLEER is about helping our community better understand the systems that sustain Lake Erie and our region,” said Sam Mason, Ph.D., director of Project NePTWNE at Gannon University. “By inviting people of all ages to explore found objects, local wildlife and even the night sky, these programs turn curiosity into awareness and awareness into stewardship of our shared environment.”
The first Exhibit Series is titled “Found Objects” and will be showcased on Sunday, January 11, 18, and 25 from 1 p.m. until 3 p.m.
The main question that the series is hoping to encourage is how certain objects made their way to the shores of Lake Erie and what they might have been before they were found. These questions invite all to examine the real items that have been found and collected from the shorelines.
Different objects will be rotated and the focus shifted to other materials each Sunday.
Jan. 11: Metal objects
Jan. 18: Beach glass
Jan. 25: Plastics
All objects will be displayed to allow for guests to speculate and discuss how these daily used materials impact waterways. Tom Benson and Alan Swigonski will be in attendance to engage with visitors and allow for any questions to be answered.
“Ask an Astronomer” will begin in February and continue monthly until May.
Those curious about the night sky can enjoy this series that will feature Gannon professor David Horne, Ph.D. who will offer continuous monthly updates on any astronomical events as well as provide a personalized guidance for any stargazing enthusiasts. The series will be located at CLEER’s NOAA Science on a Sphere®.
Those who attend the series will gain direct access to visual presentations, skywatching tips, and Q&A sessions that will cover planets and stars as well as deep-space discoveries.
Dr. Horne’s extensive experience with astronomy education and research as well as his work at NASA centers will give guests direct access to an expert of the happenings in the skies above.
“Go Fish!” Educational Series will be available each second Sunday of the month from February until May.
Feb. 8
March 8
April 12
May 10
On the opposite side of the world, guests will be able to look deeper into the world of Lake Erie’s extensive fish species. The series will be led by Gannon professor Gregory Andraso, Ph.D. This will be a hands-on experience within the CLEER education lab. Dr. Andraso is a behavioral ecologist that has had extensive research studies conducted on the fish communities that reside within Presque Isle Bay and the Pennsylvania tributaries of Lake Erie.
Monthly topics will rotate and may include:
Identifying local fish species
Learning how scientists “key out” fish
Making a gyotaku fish print to take home
Determining the age of a fish
“The Critter Corner!” Series will take place every Third Sunday of the month beginning in February and continuing through May.
Feb. 15
March 15
April 19
May 17
Attendees of this series will gain a close-up access to the small creatures that have a large impact and role in the Erie ecosystem. Hosted by Gannon student and CLEER worker Anthony Sinito, this series will be interactive and allow guests to look at varies insects, invertebrates, and other species that have been often overlooked.
Sinito is a current master’s student within the Environmental Science program at Gannon. He brings a keen interest in nature and has extensive research interests surrounding animal behavior, evolutionary biology, and taxonomy.
The series aims to help those attending to understand how these species have evolved, their behaviors, and their ecological importance within the Erie ecosystem. Attendees of the series are encouraged to leave their fears at home and fully embrace and discover why these little creatures mean so much.
Project NePTWNE is a transformational initiative that is heavily focused on water quality, environmental research, and various community education opportunities throughout the Lake Erie region.
The Center for Lake Erie Education and Research (CLEER) has become a resource for hands-on learning, scientific engagement, and public outreach all while connecting the community to the Great Lakes. This is possible through innovative programming and research-driven experiences.
The programs created by these projects are free to the public. Regularly updated programming throughout the year can be found on the Gannon website. Following the NePTWNE Instagram grants direct access as well to any updated programs.