"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.
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.
Click on the pictures below to learn more.
Enrollment for the 2023 STaRS programs will open in October 2022. Be sure to subscribe to our website (top right) to be notified when enrollment opens.
Program summary:
STaRS (Student Training as Research Scientists) is a year-long marine science field research training program culminating in a project presentation of the research experience.
Students choose one of the following projects:
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Stormwater STaRS
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Marine debris STaRS
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Forage fish STaRS
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Harbor porpoise STaRS
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Marine bird STaRS
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Bigg's Orca STaRS
Depending on the project selected, students will conduct field work independently or with a small group. The field work will be discussed virtually as a small group with the project leader throughout the year, in preparation for the final project.
Qualifications to enroll for 2022:
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Ability to stay focused and attentive while observing in the field for 2-4 hours
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Experience in or willingness to learn public speaking
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Available for ~30 hours of at home work and ~ 50 hours of field work for the year (4-8 hours per month)
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Commits to the virtual project presentation in January 2023
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Ages allowed to enroll vary based on the project (see below)
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Must be able to access a Discord channel for group communication
Goals:
Stimulate interest in a future career in the field of marine conservation science,
Training ocean advocates and informed citizens,
Explore the field of science,
Recruit and train the next generation of marine conservation scientists,
Develop student comfort in an academic and professional setting, as well as provide resources that can ensure higher education success,
Provide the opportunity for field research and data collection experience in marine science.
Students will:
Practice the scientific method,
Obtain experience and exposure to research tools, techniques, and marine science advisors/mentors,
Understand how science and research can influence policy and action steps for conservation,
Evaluate scientific literature, and
Develop project presentation and science communication skills.
2022 Timeline:
January 8, 1PM - Zoom kick-off with all STaRS groups
January 2022 Virtual lessons begin
February to November 2022 Field work begins at various times depending on project
January 2023 Virtual project presentation
Each STaRS project includes:
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inquiry-based virtual lessons with an assigned research scientist from a local organization,
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independent or group field research on Fidalgo Island or San Juan Island,
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virtual project presentation,
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collaboration, review, and discussions with groups of 5 students or less.
Students will choose ONE of the following research topics available, listed below.
Stormwater Student Training as Research Scientists
Cost: $250
Age: 13-18 years old, independent work
Location: Guemes Channel Trail
Independent field work, land-based
Must be ready to sample at unpredicted days/times depending on rain events
Must have a ride to take samples to Mount Vernon OR ship them from the Anacortes post office (shipping reimbursed)
Project Leader: Amy Eberling
Scholarships available, program funding help from Department of Ecology
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PROJECT DESCRIPTION:
Observing and tracking the effects of stormwater on the Salish Sea.
Students collect samples from a local Anacortes outfall during rain events and send them to a lab.
Students evaluate results (looking for NPDES, Zinc, Lead, NWTPH-DWX-Semi Volatile Petroleum, and PAHs) and determine if there is a general correlation between vehicle numbers and water quality parameters.
Students contribute to an educational pamphlet to hand out to the community.
Requirements: a flexible schedule for the sample collection months (labeled "Independent field work"). These samples need to be collected during rain events and so are subject to weather.
DRAFT CALENDAR
2022
January 8, 1PM - Zoom kick-off with all STaRS groups
January - Virtual lesson(s)
January - Independent field work
February - Independent field work
February - Virtual check-in
March - Independent field work
April - Independent field work
May - Virtual lesson(s)
June - Virtual lesson(s)
July - Independent field work
August - Virtual lesson(s)
September - Independent field work
October - Virtual lesson(s), project prep
November - Virtual lesson(s), project prep
December - Virtual lesson(s), project prep
*schedule subject to change based on the group's availability - suggested dates only
2023
January 7, 1 PM - Virtual Project Presentations
Marine Debris Student Training as Research Scientists
Cost: $250
Age: 11-18 years old, independent work
Location: Any beach in the Salish Sea
Independent field work, land-based
Project Leader: Elizabeth Drozda
Assistant: Amy Eberling
Scholarships available, program funding help from Shell Oil
PROJECT DESCRIPTION:
Observing and analyzing marine debris on the beaches of the Salish Sea.
Students "adopt a beach" for nine months and complete a marine debris survey twice a month.
Student surveys determine the types of marine debris and the rate of accumulation.
Students discuss and come up with ways to reduce the types of marine debris found during their beach surveys.
This work is an independent project that can be done on a student's own schedule, aside from the required virtual training and lessons.
*If you are a student out of the area and would like to sign-up for this project/topic, we can turn this project into fresh water/marine debris study from your location.
DRAFT CALENDAR
2022
January 8, 1PM - Zoom kick-off with all STaRS groups
January - Virtual lesson(s)
January - Independent field work
February - Virtual lesson(s) for data entry training
February - Independent field work
March - Independent field work
March - Virtual check-in
April - Independent field work
May - Independent field work
May - Virtual check-in
June - Independent field work
July - Independent field work
July - Virtual check-in
August - Independent field work
September - Independent field work
September - Virtual check-in
October - Virtual lesson(s), project prep
November - Virtual lesson(s), project prep
December - Virtual lesson(s), project prep
*schedule subject to change based on the group's availability - suggested dates only
2023
January 7, 1 PM - Virtual Project Presentations
Forage fish Student Training as Research Scientists
Cost: $250
Age: 11-18 years old, group work
Location: Fidalgo Island
Group field work, land-based
Project Leader: Trevor Derie
Assistant(s): Amy Eberling and FBAR Volunteers
Scholarships available, program funding help from Skagit MRC
PROJECT DESCRIPTION:
Observation of forage fish egg patterns at a local beach on Fidalgo Island.
Students complete a monthly 2 hour forage fish egg survey as a group for nine months.
Students analyze and determine the times of years and conditions that produce the greatest amount of eggs on the beach.
Students determine how successful the eggs in their progression to hatching.
Students work in all weather conditions (unless a safety threat) so proper rain boots and gear is suggested.
DRAFT CALENDAR
2022
January 8, 1PM - Zoom kick-off with all STaRS groups
January - Virtual lesson(s)
January - Group field work
February - Group field work
February - Virtual lesson(s)
March - Group field work
April - Group field work
May - Group field work
May - Virtual lesson(s)
June - Group field work
July - Group field work
August - Group field work
August - Virtual lesson(s)
September - Group field work
October - Group field work
October - Virtual lesson(s), project prep
November - Virtual lesson(s), project prep
December - Virtual lesson(s), project prep
*schedule subject to change based on the group's availability - suggested dates only
2023
January 7, 1 PM - Virtual Project Presentations
Cost: $750
Age: 11-18 years old, independent work
Location: Virtual and Burrows Bay/WA Park
Group field work, land-based, 1 boat-based field trip
Project Leader: Dr. Cindy Elliser, Pacific Mammal Research
Assistant: Kat MacIver, Pacific Mammal Research
Support: Amy Eberling
Scholarships may be available from grants or private sponsors
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PROJECT DESCRIPTION:
Work with Dr. Cindy Elliser from Pacific Mammal Research (PACMAM) and conduct your own land-based project on harbor porpoises.
Through a combination of virtual lectures and in-person field work at the Burrows Bay field site, students will learn about the thought processes and considerations for scientific projects; from the initial question through field work to analysis and presentation.
PACMAM scientists guide the scientific research process of collecting, analyzing and presenting your data.
DRAFT CALENDAR
2022
January 8, 1PM - Zoom kick-off with all STaRS groups
February 4 - Virtual lesson(s)
March 4- Virtual lesson(s)
March - Guided Field work at WA Park
April - Guided Field work at WA Park
May - Independent Field work at WA Park
June - Independent Field work at WA Park
June - Boat field work with Dr. Elliser
July - Independent Field work at WA Park
August - Independent Field work at WA Park
September - Independent Field work at WA Park
October - Virtual lesson(s)
November - Virtual lesson, Project Prep
December - Virtual lesson, Project Prep
*schedule subject to change based on the group's availability - suggested dates only
2023
January 7, 1 PM - Virtual Project Presentations
*Boat trips are weather/water condition dependent, rain dates will need to be scheduled.
Cost: $1500
Age: 14-18 years old, group work
Location: Virtual and anywhere in the Salish Sea
Group field work, land-based and boat-based
Virtual Project Leader: Dr. Peter Hodum, University of Puget Sound
Boat-based Leader: Amy Eberling
*need a minimum of 2 students enrolled
Scholarships may be available from grants or private sponsors, click here to inquire
PROJECT DESCRIPTION:
Work with Dr. Hodum from University of Puget Sound and Oikonos in developing and implementing a boat-based marine bird survey.
Through a combination of virtual lectures and in-person field work launching from Cap Sante Marina, students learn about the thought processes and considerations that go into a taking a scientific project from the initial question through field work to analysis and presentation.
Dr. Hodum guides the scientific research process of collecting, analyzing and presenting student data.
Requirements: must be available afterschool for the boat-based surveys.
Schedule is weather/water condition dependent.
*If you are a student out of the area and would like to sign-up for this project/topic, we can turn this project into an independent land-based study from your location.
DRAFT CALENDAR
2022
January 8, 1PM - Zoom kick-off with all STaRS groups
February - Virtual lesson(s), introductions
March 29 - Group (boat-based) field work, 4-7PM*
April 26 - Group (boat-based) field work, 4-7PM*
May 24 - Group (boat-based) field work, 4-7PM*
June 14- Group (boat-based) field work, 4-7PM*
July 8 - Group (boat-based) field work, 4-7PM*
August - Virtual lesson(s), data review
September 13 - Group (boat-based) field work, 4-7PM*
October - Virtual lesson(s), data review
November - Virtual lesson(s), Project Prep
December - Virtual lesson(s), Project Prep
*schedule subject to change based on the group's availability - suggested dates only
2023
January 7, 1 PM - Virtual Project Presentations
*Boat trips are weather/water condition dependent, rain dates will need to be scheduled.
BIGG'S ORCA
Cost: $1500
Age: 14-18 years old, group work
Location: Virtual, launch out of Cap Sante Marina, 1 San Juan Island Visit (as a group using Ferry)
Group field work, boat-based
Virtual Project Leader: Monika Wieland Shields, Orca Behavior Institute
Boat-based Leader: Amy Eberling
*need a minimum of 3 students enrolled
Scholarships may be available from grants or private sponsors, click here to inquire
PROJECT DESCRIPTION:
Work with Monika Wieland Shields, director of the Orca Behavior Institute, to investigate seasonal movement patterns of Bigg’s killer whales in the Salish Sea.
Through a combination of virtual lectures and in-person field trips on the water and on shore, students learn the thought processes and considerations that go into a taking a scientific project from the initial question through field work to analysis and presentation.
Each student works with real-world data on a specific family group of Bigg’s killer whales as they learn about topics including photo ID, mapping, graphing, and how to take scientific data in the field.
Field work schedule is weather/water condition dependent.
DRAFT CALENDAR
2022
January 8, 1PM - Zoom kick-off with all STaRS groups
February 10 - Virtual lesson(s)
March 10- Virtual lesson(s)
March 22 - Group (boat-based) field work, 4-7PM*
April 14 - Virtual lesson(s)
April 29 - Group (boat-based) field work, 4-7PM* (rain date)
May 17 - Group (boat-based) field work, 4-7PM*
June 7 - Group (boat-based) field work, 4-7PM*
July 9 - San Juan Island field visit
August 11 - Virtual lesson(s)
September 6 - Group (boat-based) field work, 4-7PM*
October 13 -Virtual lesson(s)
November 8 - Virtual lesson, Project Prep
December 8 -Virtual lesson, Project Prep
*schedule subject to change based on the group's availability - suggested dates only
2023
January 7, 1 PM - Virtual Project Presentations
*Boat trips are weather/water condition dependent, rain dates will need to be scheduled.