WINONA LAKE – The Lilly Center for Lakes & Streams was honored to receive the Governor’s Award for environmental education and outreach at a ceremony in Indianapolis last week.

This event marks the second occasion the Lilly Center has received this prestigious award for its innovative education programs, according to a news release Wednesday from the Center.

The Governor’s Awards for Environmental Excellence (GAEE) recognize businesses, organizations and educational institutions for achievements that positively impact Indiana’s environment, according to the Indiana Department of Environmental Management’s website. These awards are highly competitive, and typically only one award is presented per category.

This year, the Governor’s Awards recognized the Lilly Center’s education programs that are dedicated to inspiring the next generation of water-literate citizens. The Warren and Augusta Hume Endowed K-12 Education Program aims to create future leaders and residents who will care for Kosciusko County’s lakes and streams.

The Lilly Center’s team of three full-time educators, supported by college interns and partner organizations, makes over 10,000 student connections every year. Signature programs that incorporate hands-on, STEM-based learning include Classroom Lake Experience, Lake in the Library, indoor and outdoor field trips, Lake Adventure Day and the Lilly Center Art Contest.

Each program sparks curiosity, deepens appreciation for local waterways, and empowers students to take an active role in protecting the health and beauty of local waterways, the release said.

“I am immensely proud of our education team and the amazing work each person does to pass on this legacy of stewardship,” said Dr. Nate Bosch, Creighton Brothers endowed director of the Lilly Center. “We are encouraged by this recognition and are inspired to continue striving for excellence in our educational programs to serve our community better.”

The Lilly Center’s education programs are possible thanks to support from the Zimmer Biomet Foundation, Dekko Foundation, City of Warsaw – Stormwater Utility and Steel Dynamics Foundation.

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WINONA LAKE — Last week, more than 500 4th-grade students gathered in Winona Lake's  Limitless Park to study scientific concepts like erosion, watersheds, and fishing.

Lake Adventure Day is a partnership between the Lilly Center for Lakes & Streams and the
Grace College School of Education.

[caption id="attachment_118869" align="alignright" width="300"] Isabella Guinta teaches a lesson during the event. Photo provided.[/caption]

Isabella Guinta is one of the 17 School of Education seniors who lead one of the six
stations during Lake Adventure Day. Guinta is studying Elementary Education and Biblical Studies, and she hopes to one day teach on the mission field.

This year, Guinta is teaching the watershed lesson alongside several freshmen college
students. She and her helpers use EnviroScapes that simulate land around the lake.

Students place models of trees and houses on the EnviroScape and add pollutants such
as fertilizer and manure to the landscape. Students then have an opportunity to make it
“rain” and make observations about how pollutants travel through the EnviroScape.
Through this hands-on lesson, students learn that everyone lives in a watershed and
that their actions impact downstream communities.

“A memorable experience I had was seeing the spark of realization on a student’s face,”
said Guinta. “It was amazing to see students understand that picking up their trash and
taking care of the environment here in Winona Lake could have an impact all the way
down to our oceans.”

Senior college students from the School of Education receive training from Lilly Center
staff. They receive instructions on using unique tools like stream tables, EnviroScapes,

and fishing poles. During Lake Adventure Day, seventeen senior students led their
lessons with the help of freshman college students.

Their professor, Dr. Rachael Hoffert, is the Elementary Education Chair and has been
part of Lake Adventure Day since its inception. Watching her students practice their
teaching skills at Winona Lake is a joy for her.

“Through Lake Adventure Day, our senior students get practical experience developing
their craft by teaching their lessons several times during the day. Their assistants, freshman students, help facilitate each lesson and do an amazing job! They look forward
to teaching at Lake Adventure Day in a few years.”

The future of Kosciusko County’s lakes depends on empowering the next generation to
be water literate. By equipping young stewards today, they can make positive choices
for our lakes and streams for years to come.

Lake Adventure Day is possible thanks to a collaboration with the Warsaw Community
Schools, Lakeland Christian Academy, and Sacred Heart. Education programs like Lake
Adventure Day are sponsored by DePuy-Synthes, City of Warsaw Stormwater Utility,
Warren and Augusta Hume Foundation, Warsaw Optimist Club, and Zimmer-Biomet
Foundation, and Runnings.

The post More than 500 4th graders enjoy annual Lake Adventure Day appeared first on News Now Warsaw.