I’m always on the lookout for good FREE science materials to recommend to readers and Explore the Salish Sea fits the bill nicely. Explore the Salish Sea offers an immersive and skillfully designed science curriculum rooted in the narrative of the children’s book, “Explore the Salish Sea: A Nature Guide for Kids.” Through partnerships with SeaDoc, schools serving low-income, Tribal, or First Nations communities can access class sets of these books for free. The curriculum’s units are structured around themes from the book, presenting students with intriguing sea-related mysteries to solve as they embark on a journey as Nature Detectives. Supported by various resources such as games, songs, scientific articles, and Coast Salish stories, students collaborate in Explore Teams to gather clues and develop research questions. With guidance from local marine, estuarine, and watershed experts, students engage in authentic scientific and traditional knowledge research to unravel mysteries and propose evidence-based solutions to improve local habitats.

Teachers can tailor the curriculum by selecting units based on their educational standards and available resources. The curriculum aligns with Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) and BC’s Science Curriculum, providing comprehensive tools to facilitate hands-on exploration and learning. Additionally, the program encourages community engagement and offers support for customization to connect students with ecosystems in their local communities. Through continuous collaboration with marine educators and classroom teachers, the curriculum evolves to meet the needs and feedback of educators, ensuring an enriching and impactful learning experience.

While the materials are free you will need to register (no credit card required) to access the curriculum. Click HERE to register.

Let us know if you’ve used any of these materials or if you plan to try them. Enjoy.

Note: Western Washington University was recently awarded an NSF grant where they will be supporting elementary teachers in implementing Explore the Salish Sea in their classrooms.