Course Description

What kinds of animals call Puget Sound home? Orcas, ospreys, and… human beings, to name just a few! Each week students will explore the amazing marine ecology found here in our own backyard. What other species live in the tide pools, kelp forests, and deep waters of the Puget Sound? How have people across history relied on the amazing marine life here? What can humans do today to protect the ocean? Students find the answers to these questions and more as they delve into the curious and complicated Puget Sound. 

Through hands-on labs, collaborative group work, and scientific inquiry activities, students will analyze the processes and interactions that allow so many types of species to live in the Puget Sound. Each week, students conduct investigations into different marine habitats to explain how species across the sound affect each other and impact humans. Using dissections, microscope examinations, and applied case studies, students evaluate the unique features of Puget Sound species and develop creative solutions to conserve the amazing ocean life found here. During our final course meeting, families are invited to celebrate these students’ hard work and learn more about local ocean life.

This is a two-hour lab course.

Essential Questions

  • How do the unique species of the Sound interact and impact one another?
  • What can humans do to protect the unique ocean life of the Puget Sound?
  • How do the physical characteristics of Puget Sound shape the organisms and ecosystems that can thrive there?
  • How do changes to one species or part of an ecosystem affect the larger Puget Sound food web?
  • How have humans and Puget Sound ecosystems influenced one another over time?
  • How can scientists use evidence to understand the health of a marine ecosystem?

Weekly Breakdown

Week 1 Welcome to the Sound! 

Students investigate some of the amazing and unique ocean habitats found in our own backyard. *Lab attire required
Week 2 Squid Soirée

Students conduct a squid dissection to observe the amazing body structures and explain how squids are uniquely adapted to life in the ocean. *Lab attire required
Week 3 Swimming with Salmon

Students investigate the connections that salmon have with other species across the Puget Sound, and brainstorm ideas to protect salmon populations.
Week 4 Kelp Forest Hike

Students use microscopes to examine kelp samples and explore the incredible biodiversity of kelp forests. *Lab attire required
Week 5 Plankton Party

Students conduct an investigation of the unsung heroes of our oceans: plankton! Students analyze data to understand how the tiny plankton makes up the mightiest source of food in the sea. *Lab attire required
Week 6 Turning the Tides

Students explore tidepool habitats, comparing the differences between habitats and the types of life found within.
Week 7 Submarine Dive

Students conduct an inquiry into the weird and wonderful life deep in the sea, investigating the unique adaptations that allow species to survive deep under the surface of the Puget Sound. *Lab attire required
Week 8 Save the Sound!

Students evaluate historical and modern movements to protect sea life in the Puget Sound, and develop realistic action strategies to continue marine conservation for the next generation.
Week 9                                   Puget Sound Battle

In an epic final face-off, students play a Pokémon-like game to illustrate the complex interactions between species in the Puget Sound and to demonstrate their expertise as marine ecologists. Families are invited to celebrate the hard work of these students and their beautiful classwork portfolios.

Instructor

Other Details

Cost

  • $675
    • 9 classes, 2 hour class

Location

Date & Time

  • Saturdays, September 26 - November 21st 2026
  • 9:00am - 10:50am

Refund and Transfer Deadlines

  • Full refund: Two weeks before classes start
  • 50% refund: One week before classes start
  • No refund: Less than one week before classes start