Environmental Education
Education Coordinator
One of the core values of the Friends of Lakeside Lab is to provide environmental education opportunities for K-12 students. To support environmental education initiatives at Lakeside Lab, the Friends financially support a portion of the Education Coordinator position. With the Friend’s support, our Education Coordinator is able to provide a variety of educational opportunities to the curious young thinkers, creators, and imaginers in the community.
Meet Lakeside Lab’s Education Coordinator, Ashley Scheve! Ashley joined Lakeside Lab in 2021 and has been making waves when it comes to Lakeside Lab’s environmental education program. With Ashley’s dedication to environmental education and the Friends financial support, Lakeside Lab is able to offer multiple K-12 programs.
Summer Camps
Lakeside Lab offers multiple summer camps covering a variety of topics. From the notorious “Frog Camp” to “Science & Superheroes”, Lakeside Lab has a hands-on summer experience for young scientists entering pre-school through tenth grade. Visit Lakeside Lab's website to learn more and register for 2022 summer camps!
K-12 School Field Trips
Even during the winter months, Lakeside Lab remains a hub of activity. During the school season, hundreds of students come to Lakeside Lab for outdoor field trips that cover an array of curricula. From profession-focused poetry and career exploration trips to science-based ecosystem, identification, and adaptation trips, Ashley is able to cater to local schools’ standards and requirements.
No-School Camps
In 2021, Ashley created a program to provide a fun and educational environment for students on no-school days. Both students and parents in our community have become fans of No-School Camps. To register your child for upcoming No-School Camps, head to Lakeside Lab's website!
Wild Wednesdays
During the summer months, Ashley and the Lakeside Lab interns provide hands-on activities for community members of all ages. From K-12 to adults, there is a Wild Wednesday opportunity for everyone! To check out the Wild Wednesday offerings for Summer 2022, head to Lakeside Lab's Facebook page!
Community Lectures
Tuesday-Night Lecture Series
The Friends of Lakeside Lab believes in the importance of lifelong learning for community members of all ages, which is why we support lecture series throughout the year. During the summer months, community members can attend free lectures during our Tuesday-night Lecture series. In past years these lectures have covered topics from Inkpaduta and Abbie Gardner to the recovery of threatened species in Iowa. The Tuesday-night lectures are always followed by a social hour where community members can meet the presenter and continue the conversation!
Science on the Menu
During the fall months, the Friends of Lakeside Lab offers our Science on the Menu series. A $25 ticket gives you access to wine, beer, a delicious meal, and an educational presentation given by a professional in the field. Have you ever wondered how bison were processed? Do you have an interest in the water-quality history of our treasured Iowa Great Lakes? Tune in to our newsletter, or keep an eye on the Friends of Lakeside Lab calendar to keep up-to-date on lectures being offered at Lakeside Lab!