Fourth-graders at Silver First Elementary School in Everett obtained a special permit to raise 500 Wallace Falls coho salmon eggs.
“Students learn to do all the water quality testing while caring for the babies,” teacher Nikko Linn said. “They study the Pacific Northwest and watersheds of Washington to learn about these amazing fish. As part of environmental education they will also be learning about this area of the world as the only place the top five salmon species all call home.”
The fish will be released this spring into the Sultan River.
The project is an extension of work started by Monroe Elementary School science teacher Barney Peterson, who has been raising salmon with her classes for over a decade. About five years ago, she started instructing other teachers who were interested in starting their own programs.
Peterson is working with Linn, and View Ridge Elementary teacher Robin Hart, to plan their fish release trips together using grant money she received from the Everett Steelhead and Salmon Club for the project.
“Raising and releasing salmon eggs is a favorite project for my students,” Peterson said.
This year, they’ve stepped it up a notch. The Monroe students plan to perform an alumni original, “Salmon: The Musical!”
Send submissions for Way to Go to newstips@heraldnet.com.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.