Salish Sea Expeditions -- Developing curiosity and confidence through student-led scientific research and adventure on the waters of the Salish Sea.

Who We Are

Salish Sea Expeditions is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization established to provide opportunities for students in grades 5-12 to design and conduct real scientific research on the waters of the Salish Sea and within their local watersheds. For the past 15 years we have been working with teachers to align our programs with current educational standards and with teacher curriculum. We aim to create a generation of critical thinkers who will collaborate to solve society’s hardest problems.

Our Sound (boat-based) program includes multiple days of student-directed hypothesis development and research design, 3-5 days of oceanographic research aboard a 61-foot research sailing vessel, and instruction in both navigation and science curriculum. Our Source (land-based) program includes multiple research learning experiences at nearby watersheds, with a focus on storm water runoff that helps students understand connections between human activities, and environmental problems and their solutions.

As a culminating event, each year Salish hosts the Salish Sea Student Science Symposium, at which student-scientists (from Salish and other programs) come together at a public venue to communicate their local research, results, and ideas for the future to an audience of peers, teachers, elected officials, professionals, and interested citizens.

See our online collected works series Student Research of Puget Sound  of student authored papers featuring the results of research projects conducted aboard the SV Carlyn.

Why We Exist

We believe that today's youth are the future leaders who will develop policies, conduct research and make decisions impacting our world. To help them be engaged citizens of the future, our multi-day science education programs stimulate young minds, anchoring an understanding of science and critical thinking.
Over 6,000 middle and high school students, 1000 teachers and 100 schools have sailed the waters of Puget Sound as students of our innovative “science-under-sail” programs aboard the 61’ sailing research vessel Carlyn. Read More…

Click here to learn more about the
Salish Sea Student Science Symposium
to Showcase Research by Region’s Youth 

Join us for our Seattle Science Festival Community Sail

Click here for more details.

Now Enrolling for the 2012-13 School Year

Click here for registration for our boat-based Sound program. Click here for registration for our land-based Source program

Set Sail with Salish Students!

Read the student's daily log entries and see the ship's position as it sails the waters of Puget Sound.  Read the log entries and view the maps at Expedition Tracking.

Salish Wish List

For information on what Salish needs, please click here for our WISH LIST

Salish Sea Expeditions now on Flickr and Facebook!

Become a fan, post a comment, share a thought on facebook

Interested to see what happens aboard the Carlyn during student expeditions?  Salish Sea Expeditions is proud to share our funnest and finest moments at the online photo sharing community called Flickr. 

Go to Salish Sea Expeditions' photostream

Upcoming Events 2012

Youth and Family Maritime Education Fair, Maritime Event Center, Bell Harbor Pier 66, Seattle, WA
May 12, 2012 10am-4pm

Salish Sea Student Science Symposium, The Moutaineers, Seattle, WA
June 1, 2012 10am-3pm

Seattle Science Festival Expo, Seattle Center, Seattle, WA
June 2, 2012 10am-6pm

Seattle Science Festival Community Sail, Elliott Bay Marina, Seattle, WA
June 8, 2012 12-2pm