H.O.M.E.S. at Home

Want to keep exploring our fabulous Great Lakes, even though you’re hanging around the house? Check out H.O.M.E.S. at Home! The acronym is an easy way to remember our five Great Lakes: Huron, Ontario, Michigan, Erie, and Superior. While it may be harder for us to dip our toes in the lakes right now, we’ve got lots of ways for you to enjoy and learn about our freshwater seas right from your own home.

Webinar series

Longing to take the family to the Great Lakes, but not able to get to the shore? Then this series is for you! Join us for a series of fun-filled, family-friendly videos jam-packed full of Great Lakes fun facts, activity suggestions for your family, and daily challenges. Each video provides a high-energy experience that engages people of all ages in learning about the Great Lakes and activities you can do right at home!

These videos were originally live streamed in March and April 2020 via Zoom and Facebook Live. The recordings are available with closed captions on our YouTube page and are embedded for easy viewing below. The first 20 minutes of the video are activities and fun, engaging content, followed by 10 minutes for Q&A — as well as a family challenge!

Earn a certificate!

Folks that complete 5 of the challenges will be emailed a Great Lakes Jr. Scientist certificate for you to print and proudly display at home. If you want, we can also add your name or names to our Great Lakes Hall of Science Heroes! Just fill out this Google Form to let us know that you’ve completed the challenges.

What will we learn about?

Click the links to watch the episodes on YouTube! Captions are available in the YouTube player.

Birdventures! Explore the fascinating birds of the Great Lakes

Be a Great Lakes Hero: Stop marine debris!
One Fish, Two Fish, Make a Dish, Eat a Fish!

Great Lakes, Great Films, Great Writers

Lake Effect! The crazy winds of the Great Lakes

Lake Sturgeon: Dinosaurs in the Great Lakes

Exploring Herpetology: Fun with Amphibians and Reptiles

Painting and Watercolors: Be Inspired by the Great Lakes!

Great Lakes Bioblitz: Get outside and explore nature!

Great Lakes Invaders

Misunderstood Mudpuppies

Terrific Turtles of the Great Lakes

Cruise the Great Lakes 

Watch the videos from the #LakeEffects Film Series!

The #LakeEffects Film Series is a five-part livestreamed event hosted by Michigan Sea Grant and sponsored by Great Lakes Now and the University of Michigan Great Lakes Theme Semester. Did you miss previous nights in the film series? Never fear — most of the content is available online for free! Check out the links below for fascinating Great Lakes clips and documentaries:

March 12: JOURNEYS

March 19: SHIPWRECKS

March 26: INVADERS

April 2: HAZARDS

April 9: GREAT LAKES NOW NIGHT