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
Science on the Menu returns! Check out our Events Page for special events happening at Lakeside this fall!
Science on the Menu returns on Sept 17th! Social time begins at 6:00; Dinner at 6:30 and a presentation at 7:00 by Dr. Mary Skopec. The featured presentation is "Why does my lake look like pea soup? The story of blue-green algae in the Iowa Great Lakes". Call Lisa Roti at 712-337-3669 ext 1 to reserve your spot. Cost $15.
Next Meeting: Sept 26th at 11:00 in the Dining Hall.
Reading selection for September: Nature Noir: A Park Rangers Patrol in the Sierra by Jordan Fisher Smith
Summer 2020 class list will be available later this fall. Registration will open in January.
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 2020 Nature Camps schedule will be released later this fall. We encourage a healthy, respectful and life–long relationship between students and the natural world while nurturing every student’s innate curiosity about nature.
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!
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.
Internship Applications will be available January 2020
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. 2019_summer_wir_flier.pdf
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
Science on the Menu; Lakeside Reads
Science on the Menu Returns on Sept 17th. Presentation by Dr. Mary Skopec on Blue-green algae in the Iowa Great Lakes. Call Lisa Roti at 712-337-3669 ext 1 by Sept 13th to reserve your spot. Cost is $15.
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.
Community Pages
Free, fun, family–oriented science programs! 7:00 PM at Waitt Lab during the summer. Wild Wednesdays will return in the summer of 2020.
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.