"the mountain and the sea are excellent schoolmasters, and teach some of us more than we can ever learn from books." -john lubbock
Meet Our Team
The Salish Sea School is committed to cultivating and preserving a culture of diversity, inclusion, and connectedness. We are able to grow and learn better together with a diverse team. We welcome the unique contributions that one can bring in terms of their education, opinions, culture, ethnicity, race, sex, gender identity and expression, nation of origin, age, languages spoken, veteran’s status, color, religion, disability, sexual orientation and beliefs.
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We are stronger together with the collective sum of individual differences, life experiences, knowledge, innovation, self-expression, and talent which ultimately brings about a healthier planet.
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Click on the pictures below to learn more.
Program summary: STaRS (Student Training as Research Scientists) is a year-long marine science field research training program culminating in an in-person project presentation of the research experience.
We are excited to launch STaRS for adults 18+ years old!​
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Outcomes:
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Increasing scientific literacy and understanding of the scientific process
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Obtain experience and exposure to field research tools, techniques, and marine science advisors/mentors
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Understand how science and research can influence policy and action steps for conservation​
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Learn how to read and understand scientific literature
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Complete and present an independent project using skills you learn along the way
We have just released our second annual Adult STaRS project, Orcas of the Salish Sea STaRS!
Qualifications to enroll in Orca STaRS for 2024:
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Ability to attend 6 out of 7 in-person boat trips
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Available for ~30 hours of virtual instruction + reading assignments
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Interested in connecting with a like-minded community
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Availability to attend the end of year camping trip at County Park on San Juan Island
Orcas of the Salish Sea STaRS Summary: ​
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This course includes seven field excursions on the water with a total of 4 other team members.
Details:
If you have an interest in gaining knowledge about the orcas of the Salish Sea, beginning interest in the scientific process, the Orcas of the Salish Sea STaRS program may be for you.
Regardless of your background, the focus of this program will be on improving scientific literacy while participating in Bigg’s killer whale research.
You will learn how to read and discuss scientific papers, collect data in the field, and create graphs and maps based on existing data sets, all while investigating seasonal movement patterns of Bigg’s killer whales in the Salish Sea.
Enrollment:
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Take a look at the 2023 schedule. Sign up for Group D, Group E, or Group F. The only difference in D and E are the times of the boat trips. Group F is the 80% virtual option, only two spots available.
The very first boat trip will be as a whole group and leave from San Juan Island. The remaining boat trips will be small group and embark from Anacortes, WA with The Salish Sea School.
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