Lakeside Lab
Owned by the state of Iowa and operated through the Board of Regents, we seek to provide science classes and research opportunities for university students, and offer Outreach Programs and provide services through the state universities.
What's Happening at the Lab
Check out our Events Page for special events happening at Lakeside this summer!
Lakeside Lab in association with TigerLion Arts is pleased to bring the walking play Nature to northwest Iowa August 8-11th. The outdoor telling of Emerson, Thoreau, and their mutual love of the natural world will be performed by TigerLion Arts and local talent. The play was written and created by Minneapolis-based actor Tyson Forbes (direct descendant of Ralph Waldo Emerson) and director/producer Markell Kiefer. For more detailed show information, go to friendsoflakesidelab.org or tigerlion.org. Click here to purchase tickets! A special thanks to sponsors: Okoboji Blue Water Festival, Nancy Lauridsen, Lakeside Lab, Humanities Iowa, and the Ralph Waldo Emerson Society.
Lakeside Laboratory offers experiential learning at its finest! Any student preparing for a career in the sciences will find high quality field-based experiences that will give your resume an edge. All students; artists, business majors, pre-service teachers and more, will engage in valuable learning that will take you to the next level. Join us for a summer of learning beyond the classroom. We look forward to seeing you at Lakeside Lab!
Summer 2019 courses now listed! Summer 2019 registration now open!
We encourage a healthy, respectful and life–long relationship between students and the natural world while nurturing every student’s innate curiosity about nature. 2019 
Summer camp now available. Click here to register
Iowa Lakeside Lab is pleased to offer a College Prep Diatom Course in 2019 for advanced high school students who have completed high school level or AP Biology. Click Here for More Information!
Scholarships are available through the Leary Foundation and the Lindsay Vonn Foundation. Call to inquire 712-337-3669 ext 7.
The Friends of Lakeside Lab was founded in 1994 to support Iowa Lakeside Laboratory and Regents Resource Center through scholarships and as a community resource for water quality monitoring, environmental education and research. The Friends is a tax-exempt, 501c3 non-profit organization.
The goal of CLAMP is to provide long term monitoring data on regional lake conditions and educate local citizens about lake ecology. Click here to see CLAMP videos!
The Global Lake Ecological Observatory Network conducts innovative science by sharing and interpreting water quality and weather data on West Okoboji. The GLEON Buoy is back!
Next Meeting: Aug 22nd at 11:00 in the Dining Hall.
Reading selection for August: Solid Seasons: The Friendship of Henry David Thoreau and Ralph Waldo Emerson by Jeffrey S. Cramer
Nature Connections is offering an on-line course on nature-based, early childhood education. The course will be offered both for re-licensure credit through the University of Iowa Baker Teacher Leader Center and through UI Distance and Online Education for college credit.
To enroll for the licensure credit click go to https://tlc-uiowa.catalog.instructure.com
To enroll for college credit go to http://www.continuetolearn.uiowa.edu/LakesideReg/LakesideRegistration/UserLogin
The value of young children’s direct experiences in nature through inquiry-based learning will be examined in this course. It is designed for preschool and kindergarten teachers so they can develop their student’s in-depth thinking by engaging their hearts and minds through experiences on a nature topic.
In its partnership with the State Hygenic Lab, we provide water testing services, and educate citizens on how to better care for our natural lakes.
Internships available for college level students with majors in biology, environmental science, education or related course of study.
The Writer in Residence program offers 3 week residencies to undergraduate and graduate students. Students interested in writing about ecology, natural history, environmental ethics or related topics can become immersed in the Lakeside Lab campus and culture to enhance their writing. Click here for more information!
The Iowa Lakeside Laboratory Artist-in-Residence (AIR) program invites artists, musicians, composers, and performers of all genres to apply for a two to four week residency. Scientists and artists interact in new and innovative ways to understand and interpret the natural world. AIR also offers community events to highlight activities from their residency.
Lakeside Lab offers many opportunities for experiential learning. We will work with you in developing a program that is appropriate for your school. Contact our Education Coordinator at 712-337-3669 ext.7, jane-shuttleworth@uiowa.edu.
Lakeside also facilitates Nature Connections, a unique collaborative of early childhood educators, professionals and naturalists dedicated to introducing children to a life-long, meaningful relationship with nature while meeting their developmental needs.
Lakeside Lab features a variety of classes that offer hand's on learning. Alex Braidwood's Acoustic Ecology class was featured on Iowa Outdoors.
Events
The Iowa Lakeside Laboratory offers a variety
of interesting events and initiatives.
Recent News
Nature Play, Tuesday Lecture Series, Lakeside Reads, Wild Wednesdays
Nature: A Walking Play will have its opening night on August 8th at 7 pm. Tickets are available on-line or at the door. Performances are Aug 8 and 9 at 6 pm and Aug 11 at 1 pm on the grounds of Lakeside Lab. A special performance at the Okoboji Blue Water Festival will be at 1 pm in the Arnold's Park Greenspace.
Ryan Clark will present Tuesday, Aug 13th at 7 p.m. at Mahan Hall. Ryan will give a presentation entitled "Everything You Need to Know about the Northeast Iowa Intrusive Complex".
Join us in the Dining Hall on the Lakeside campus as we kick off this new program. Lakeside Reads is a book club focused on nature or science topics. We will meet the 4th Thursday of the month at 11:00. Come for the conversation, beautiful view and snacks! Call Mary at 712-337-3669 ext 5 for more information.
Wild Wednesdays has ended for the summer. Please check back with us in 2020!
Community Pages
Free, fun, family–oriented science programs! 7:00 PM at Waitt Lab during the summer. Click here for the list of topics in 2019.
June 1 – October 1
This self-guided nature exploration and tour of Lakeside grounds is perfect for children, families, and “kids at heart” of any age. Pick up a treasure map at Lakeside entrance and go exploring for hidden clues and secret messages.
COFFEE AND GROUNDS
Work hard and learn about native ecosystems while restoring prairie and oak savanna at Lakeside. Then relax and make friends over coffee and rolls. Meet at the Waitt Lab at 8:30 am each Tuesday during snow-free months.
VOLUNTEER FOR WATER QUALITY!
The Cooperative Lakes Area Monitoring Project is looking for volunteers to monitor lake health. Free training and equipment provided. Contact 712-337-3669 Ext. 7 for information.
Listen, learn and engage with scientists as they share their research. 7:00 pm each Tuesday May - July in Mahan Hall.
Iowa Lakeside Lab and Regents Resource Center is pleased to offer a College Prep Diatom Course in 2019 for advanced high school students who have completed high school level or AP Biology. 2019 Application Now Available!