Wild Spartans Series

 

WildSpartans_NoLinkWebsite_Banner20232024.pngJoin 4-H staff for the "Wild Spartans" series for a look into life working with fisheries and wildlife! Follow along as we climb through bogs, peer into bear dens, mist net songbirds, snorkel for fish, or perhaps even tag deer. Meet researchers, learn about their field work, and the education and career path they've followed to get there.

 

LOCATION: Online Meeting will be held using the free app called Zoom.

Register for Wild Spartans here

Each 60 minute session will feature 1-2 guest researchers. Youth will be encouraged to ask questions to learn more through a live Q&A with scientists.

Upcoming Program Dates and Topics:

Monthly Sessions will be held on the 2nd Tuesday of the month at 6:30 p.m. ET October through March. 

  • January 14, 2025 with Elliot Nelson
    • This month's 4-H Wild Spartans will delve into the freshwaters and skies that surround us. Join us for “Flying to New Heights, Swimming to New Depths: Working my Dream Job with Michigan Sea Grant.” You will meet Elliot Nelson with Michigan Sea Grant.  
  • February 11, 2025 with Jason Smith
    • This month's 4-H Wild Spartans Series will plunge into the world of Great Lakes fisheries. Join us for  for “The Relationship Between Tribes and Fish.” You will meet Jason Smith, Great Lakes Fisheries Assessment Biologist for the Bay Mills Indian Community.
  • March 11, 2025- with Seth Magle
    • This month's 4-H Wild Spartans Series will explore conservation efforts in zoos with Seth Magle, Director of the Urban Wildlife Institute at the Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago, IL.
  • October 14, 2025- coming soon
  • November 11, 2025- coming soon
  • December 9, 2025- coming soon
  • January 13, 2026- coming soon
  • February 10, 2026- coming soon
  • March 10, 2026- coming soon

Interested in being a Wild Spartans guest speaker? Fill out our interest form here!


All event recordings are now available below!

Attended or viewed recordings? Please fill out our brief feedback form.

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To learn more, contact: 
Veronica Bolhuis, Stacie GathAnne Kretschmann, or Dr. Alexa Warwick.

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Share past sessions in classrooms, home school group, or your 4-H club! Links below include resources for continued learning in science, research, and career preparation.  Meet these scientists and more in the videos below.

View previous 4-H Wild Spartan sessions

  • Wild Spartans: Researching Wildfire in Boreal and Arctic Regions with Dr. Laura Bourgeau-Chavez

    Published on April 13, 2021

    In this episode, we will delve into the cutting edge world of wildfire research to discover the role technology plays in studying the impacts to the flora and fauna of boreal and arctic regions. We will talk to a wildfire scientist about researching the behavior and impacts of wildfire in remote areas of the world using satellite imagery, including high resolution optical and radar imagery, and other cutting edge technology. Meet Laura Bourgeau-Chavez, Senior Research Scientist/ Assistant Professor, Michigan Technological University: Michigan Tech Research Institute, learn about her field work, how she uses drones and radar technology to map and study wildfire effects, and hear about the education and career path she followed to get there.

  • Wild Spartans: Searching for Vernal Pools with Yu Man Lee

    Published on March 9, 2021

    In this episode, we will take a dive into the springtime ephemeral pools in the woods to discover the treasures within! We will talk to a herpetologist about researching and conserving amphibians and reptiles. Meet Yu Man Lee, Conservation Scientist, Michigan Natural Features Inventory, learn about her field work, and the education and career path she followed to get there.

  • Wild Spartans: All About Honey Bees with with Ana Heck

    Published on February 9, 2021

    In this episode, we talk to an entomologist researching the pollinators of our world. Meet MSU apiculture researcher, Ana Heck, learn about her field work, and the education and career path she followed to get there as she discusses “All About Honey Bees: Working with a Superorganism” as we discover what the buzz really is about bees!