Laboratories and Longboats: High School Summer Science Program Prepares for Another Successful Season

by Caroline Grauman-Boss, Tom Grauman, and Tim Dwyer
Educators at Spring Street International School, Friday Harbor

In March 2013, President Obama proclaimed Washington State’s San Juan Islands "a refuge of scientific and historic treasures and a classroom for generations of Americans." In line with these educational ideals, in 2013 Spring Street International School launched the Salish Sea Sciences Program, an immersive three-week summer program for 14-18 year olds devoted to marine and environmental sciences, and pursued in conjunction with scientists and educators affiliated with Friday Harbor Laboratories.

The design of the Salish Sea Sciences Program is simple: bring inquisitive young people to Friday Harbor, house them in Spring Street International School’s spacious dormitory, and send them out to engage in scientific discovery along shorelines, in laboratory spaces (Figure 1), and within terrestrial preserves beside scientists investigating our near-pristine Archipelago. Then complete each day with scientists and students together in conversation and salon-style research presentations over a home-cooked dinner at the School dormitory (Figure 2). To deepen the field experience of living amid an inland sea, this Program incorporates a weeklong data collection expedition through the Islands aboard longboats, traditional sailing and rowing vessels identical to those used by European explorers to chart the region (Figure 3). Culminating the Program, participants work together to create summaries of collected data and present them at a celebratory dinner for their scientist mentors.

Even at the height of the busy summer research season, Friday Harbor Laboratories has offered steadfast support for the Salish Sea Sciences Program. Numerous researchers ranging from undergraduates to senior scientists have communicated their findings, shared their stories, and lent their expertise to mentor eager participants. For established scientists, the Program offers an opportunity to broaden the impact and reach of their research initiatives by interacting with an inquisitive and eager group of young learners. Emerging scientists gain experience in communicating research to a friendly and engaged audience along with practice guiding youth in field surveys and laboratory experiments. The research disciplines experienced by Program participants change from year to year and mirror the work of the research teams present at FHL that season. Areas of previous experiences have included intertidal invertebrate zoology of rocky shores (Figure 4) and soft bottom habitats, macroalgal taxonomy and community structure, seagrass disease surveys, biomechanics and natural materials testing, seabird distributions, ocean acidification impacts, and marine mammal forensic pathology (Figure 5), to name a few.

Beyond the relationship between Friday Harbor Laboratories and Spring Street International School, the Salish Sea Sciences Program offers a multi-constituency benefit — one that was recently acknowledged with a substantial and generous grant from the San Juan Island Community Foundation. The Program helps forge and cement connections between local, national, and international participants; their families; San Juan Island businesses; FHL scientists and staff; federal, state, and local government and non-governmental agencies, and with the marine environment itself. These constituencies all share an interest in the environmental and economic sustainability of a rare place: the San Juan Archipelago.

For participants, the Salish Sea Sciences Program has revealed that over the course of a few weeks, individuals with a passion for scientific discovery, exploration, and environmental science can be transformed into a cohesive team of learners, conversing intelligently and confidently with professionals. Though a relatively new addition to place-based science education, the Program has already had an impact with numerous alumni reporting they have gone on to pursue university-level courses of study in scientific fields. Spring Street International School intends to continue this program as a recurring presence in the San Juan Islands, which are nationally and internationally recognized — thanks to FHL’s long history — for their potential for science education.

Researchers interested in participating in the Salish Sea Sciences Program during June and July 2016 please email inquiries to summer@springstreet.org.

Similarly, if you know an inquisitive and engaged young mind who may be interested in joining us, please direct them to the Salish Sea Science Program website at summer.springstreet.org.