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 over 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.

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NEW VIDEO!  Click on Inquiry & Inspiration button on left to see the new Salish Video!

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 10,000 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…

UPDATES AND EVENTS

• 2013 GiveBig was a big success

Thanks to our generous community we raised over $8000 on May 15th beating our previous year!  Thanks to everyone who supported student-led science research and adventure on the Salish Sea.

• Now Enrolling for the 2013-14 School Year

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

• 5th Annual Salish Sea Student Science Symposium -  Keynote Speaker Jennifer Hempelmann

• On May 31st, scientists from the Puget Sound region will convene to share the results of marine and aquatic research they have conducted on the health and ecology of Puget Sound and its connected watersheds. Not surprising, until you know that the presenting scientists will be 5th to 12th graders, presenting original research of their own design to their peers and professional scientists.
  
  KEYNOTE SPEAKER- Jennifer Hempelmann is a molecular geneticist at NOAA's Northwest Fisheries Science Center in Seattle.  She will be sharing her research findings on the diet and population structure of the endangered Southern Resident killer whales by analyzing DNA found in whale scat and skin samples. 
  
  Want to know more www.salish.org/symposium2013

• 2013 SUMMER CAMP ON BAINBRIDGE ISLAND: SALISH SEA SCIENCE EXPLORES

 Join Salish Sea Expeditions' Scientists as we explore the mysteries of Puget Sound through scientific inquiry.  Our journey begins at Fort Ward Park where we will learn the story of the watershed through hikes, scientific investigations and hands on activities in the streams, rocky shores, beaches and in the forest wetlands.  Young scientists will design and conduct their own research using professional water quality monitoring equipment while learning the wonders of water, playing games, meeting a local scientist, helping out with a restoration project, making new friends and having lots of fun to create a well rounded week. Thursday night will be an overnight camp out with campfires and s’mores to celebrate our science efforts and new friendships. Salish has been serving the local community for over 15 years and our staff hold degrees in environmental sciences and have many years of experiential education experience. Click Here for more information       
Register through www.biparks.org

• A new way to donate!

We are now able to receive donations of stock and marketable securities. Please contact us at (206) 780-7848 for transfer instructions.

• 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 releases Meaningful Watershed Education Experiences white paper
  

Find out more...

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