Great Lakes Fishery Commission

For Educators

The GLFC has created a page for educators to expand our reach throughout the Great Lakes! Whether you teach in a formal classroom setting, host visitors at a nature center, work at a camp, or fall somewhere in between, this page has Great Lakes and sea lamprey related resources for you.

Sea Lamprey Outreach

The GLFC conducts a comprehensive education and outreach program, annually connecting with thousands of people across the Great Lakes basin. The schedule below lists the outreach events that the GLFC and its partners are currently planning to attend. Be sure to check back, as the list will be periodically updated as more events are scheduled.

Do you host an event where live sea lampreys would be a good fit? Contact outreach coordinator Ross Shaw to inquire about having the GLFC attend (contact information below).

Current/Upcoming Outreach Schedule

  • Ultimate Fishing Show, Novi, MI—January 12-15
  • Chicagoland Fishing, Travel and Outdoor Expo, Schaumburg, IL—January 26-29
  • Black Lake Sturgeon Shivaree, Blake Lake, MI—February 4
  • DNR OAC Invasive Species Awareness Day, Detroit, MI—February 11
  • Greater Niagara Fishing and Outdoor Expo, Niagara, NY—February 16-19
  • Duluth Boat, Sports, and Travel show, Duluth, MN—February 16-19
  • Ultimate Sport Show, Grand Rapids, MI—March 9-12
  • Toronto Sportsmens Show, Mississaugau, ON—March 16-19
  • Cranbrook Spring Into Science, Bloomfield Hills, MI—March 28
  • Earth Day Action Expo 2023, Midland, MI—April 22
  • Dossin Great Lakes Museum Earth Day Celebration, Detroit, MI—April 22
  • IAGLR Conference, Toronto, ON—May 8-12
  • Blue Water Sturgeon Festival, Port Huron, MI—June 3
  • Detroit Riverfront Kid’s Fishing Day, Detroit, MI—June 11
  • Grovefest, Fremont, OH—June 24
  • Besser Museum Log Cabin Day, Alpena, MI—June 24
  • Engineer’s Day, Sault. Ste. Marie, MI—June 30
  • Brown Trout Festival, Alpena, MI—July 16
  • Lumberman’s Monument Event, Oscoda, MI—July 25
  • UP State Fair, Escanaba, MI—August 18-20
  • 153rd American Fisheries Society Annual Meeting, Grand Rapids, MI—August 20-24
  • Owen Sound Salmon Spectacular, Owen Sound, ON—August 25-September 3
  • Sportsmen for Youth, Muskegon, MI—September 9
  • Besser Museum Fall Fest, Alpena, MI—October 7

Locations of Permanent Displays

Looking to learn about lampreys? The GLFC works with partner institutions such as museums, visitor centers, and aquariums to develop sea lamprey displays across the Great Lakes. Below is a comprehensive map of current live and static sea lamprey displays, indicated by orange and green pins, respectively.

The GLFC is always looking for new opportunities for sea lamprey displays! If you are interested in having a sea lamprey display at your institution and would like to learn more about what is involved, please contact Ross Shaw.

Lesson Plans

Make sea lampreys a part of your invasive species curriculum with these Next Generation Science Standards-based lesson plans created by the GLFC, in partnership with a science curriculum specialist. Plans are available for grades 4/5, 6-8, and 9-12 (K-3 coming soon).

Additional resources, including printable activity books and coloring sheets, are available below. For those who want more specific and detailed information on certain topics, such as the sea lamprey control program and native lamprey species, be sure to check out our fact sheets page.

Additional Educator Resources

Sea lamprey video

Listen to the GLFC’s communications team talk about the work of the GLFC and why sea lamprey control is essential in the Great Lakes in this 30-minute video, with accompanying worksheets below.

Short educational videos

Brief videos depicting the various facets of the GLFC’s programs


Contact

Interested in obtaining outreach materials for your educational programs? Need more information about sea lampreys? Want live sea lampreys at your event? Contact us!

Science Entertainment

Sea lampreys are popular animals to film, in part, because their unique looks gain a lot of interest – check out these videos from groups we have had the privilege to partner with: