Sea Lamprey in Michigan Education (SLIME) Program
Program Information
The sea lamprey (Petromyzon marinus) is one of most notorious invasive species in the Great Lakes. Sea lampreys entered the Great Lakes ecosystem more than 100 years ago through shipping canals that connect the Great Lakes to the Atlantic Ocean, where sea lampreys are native. The consequences of sea lamprey invasion have been dramatic and long-lasting, making them one of the most devastating—if not THE most devastating—invasive species in the Great Lakes.
The sea lamprey is one of the best species to "start the conversation" about invasive species and their detrimental impacts on ecosystems and economies. The Great Lakes Fishery Commission and Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) are partnering on a program to assist teachers with their lessons about invasive species. As part of this program, a limited number of Michigan schools are allowed to possess live sea lampreys for a brief time in the spring.
The program—called the Sea Lamprey in Michigan Education (SLIME) program—is an extension of the Michigan DNR’s Salmon-in-the-Classroom program and Sturgeon-in-the-Classroom program (also run in partnership with Sturgeon for Tomorrow). To be a part of the SLIME program, read the following information to determine if you are eligible, then complete the application at the link below.
Eligibility
To apply to the SLIME program, you must be:
- a Michigan DNR Salmon-in-the-Classroom or Sturgeon-in-the-Classroom participant with at least one year completed in the salmon or sturgeon program. Note that new salmon and sturgeon teachers (who have not completed a full year yet) are not eligible for the SLIME program.
- in good-standing within the Salmon-in-the-Classroom or Sturgeon-in-the-Classroom program, including timely submission of all mandatory reports.
- (for returning SLIME participants) in good-standing within the SLIME program, including timely submission of the SLIME Teacher Agreement and the SLIME program questionnaire for previous years in the program.
Selection Process: Teachers are selected on a lottery system for the SLIME program. All teachers (past participants and new applicants) *must apply each year* they are interested in the program. Teachers will be rotated in and out of the program for different years as needed based on the number of sea lampreys available. In most years, there will be a limit of 50 participating teachers in the SLIME program.
Time Commitment: Whereas the Salmon-in-the-Classroom and Sturgeon-in-the-Classroom programs last almost the entire school year, the SLIME program only lasts two-to-three weeks, beginning in early-to-mid May each year. The natural migration of sea lampreys into streams and capture for use in the program is weather dependent, so exact timing for the SLIME program each year will vary.
Reporting: Teachers participating in the SLIME program must complete a SLIME program teacher agreement (at the start of the program) and a questionnaire (assessment survey) at the end of the program. The questionnaire serves as the SLIME program report.
Expenses and Equipment: Expenses for SLIME program participants will be minimal since this program is designed to use the equipment from the Salmon-in-the-Classroom and Sturgeon-in-the-Classroom programs. Adjustments and minor additions will need to be made but are minimal. Note that a chiller is required to house live sea lampreys.
Application Instructions
To apply for the Spring 2025 Sea Lamprey in Michigan Education (SLIME) program, please complete the form at the link below.
**Applications are due by December 31, 2024.**
Classroom selections will occur soon after, and teachers will be alerted by early March regarding participation in the SLIME program.
If you have questions about the SLIME program, please contact the SLIME Program Coordinator:
- Andrea Miehls
- Great Lakes Fishery Commission
- Hammond Bay Biological Station
- 11188 Ray Road
- Millersburg, MI 49759-9481
- Email Andrea