The Salish Sea School

This research grant will support a field research project where high school students participate in three different surveys for one year, comparing the information based on the seasons: 1. collecting samples to detect the viability of forage fish eggs 2. conducting a crab molt survey to determine the extent of the invasive green crabs, and 3. participating in a marine bird survey to understand the fluctuation of populations over the seasons. This research is critical for understanding the health of the marine ecosystem and informing conservation strategies for vulnerable species.

The work will be done in partnership with Skagit Adventist and The Salish Sea School and will engage 15 students in hands-on research activities to deepen their understanding of scientific processes, field research, local ecosystems, and environmental stewardship. Students will work closely with educators and research mentors to develop individual or group research projects. These projects will include year-long, monthly, field observations and data analysis. To ensure the student research efforts contribute to broader scientific understanding, students will data share on a googledrive folder to allow students to upload their findings and access data collected by their peers. This will enable students to compare their results and draw meaningful conclusions about the state of forage fish, the extent of the green crab invasion, or marine bird populations in the Salish Sea. Student research data will be shared with our partner organizations, such as the Skagit Marine Resources Committee and the Northwest Straits Initiative, to support their ongoing research and conservation efforts. Students will present their research findings at an end of the year symposium.