Salmon in the Classroom
Fifth grade teachers at South Whidbey Elementary School began raising salmon in the classroom and releasing them into Maxwelton Creek in the late 1980’s, but the program ended in 2000. Lori O’Brien recreated a new program in the fall of 2013 as a parent volunteer.
Lori continues to offer the program to K-5th grade students at South Whidbey Elementary School. Salmon eggs are provided by the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife to the school by permit to be reared in the school aquarium in conjunction with instruction on salmon life cycle and salmon anatomy. Beginning in 2019, students will raise 500 eggs, doubling the number of eggs raised in previous years. There is a tank located at the K-4 school and a second tank located at the 5-6th grade building. Fifth grade student ambassadors along with Whidbey Watershed staff will lead students in school-wide salmon education. Over 600 students will witness the hatching of pea sized eggs with large black eyes into alevin with bright orange yolk sacs who seek the protection of rocks, followed by their transformation into fry, who swim up from the rocks and take in a gulp of air, testing out their new fins for the first time. When fish reach fry stage, students gather and release their fish by hand into the Maxwelton Creek at the Outdoor Classroom. In May, a report to South Whidbey School’s Foundation is submitted as well as a Washington Fish and Wildlife Report. Our representatives present at the Foundation gala along with student ambassadors.
We plan to adapt this program to accommodate a distance-learning model due to COVID-19 school closures.
The program creates a sense of wonder, a sense of pride, and a sense of connection to a greater world outside of the classroom. The salmon project is made possible by the South Whidbey Schools Foundation in partnership with the Holmes Harbor Rod and Gun Club, Whidbey Telecom and Whidbey Watershed Stewards.
South Whidbey Schools Foundation - Salmon in the Classroom Video