Science captains: Manson Middle School goes on science expedition through San Juans

ANACORTES - Manson might be nestled among the Cascade Mountains, but that doesn’t mean students in Manson still can’t enjoy the perks that come with being within a few hours to the Pacific Ocean.

 One being the ability to embark on a 3-day sailing expedition through the San Juan Islands, which some Manson Middle School students got to experience with the Salish Sea Expeditions - a program takes students in grades 5-12 on a scientific journey on their 61-foot research vessel Carlyn through the Pugent Sound.

 Beginning on Wednesday, May 17, students and chaperones - led by teacher Dane Johnson - got a hands-on science lesson as they navigated around the islands while collecting data samples to help better understand the Sound and its larger marine environment.

Manson was awarded the trip after receiving funding through a $1,100 grant from the Community Foundation of NCW. After the trip, Johnson was grateful, "for their generous G3 grant, which enabled us to participate in the experience."

 “Our program makes it easier for students to imagine what it would be like to be a research scientist or work in the maritime sector,” Salish Education Director Dan Hannafious said. “Kids have the chance to get excited about science and math when it’s taught in an environment where those skills are put to everyday use.”

 While aboard the research vessel, students designed and conducted experiments, deployed oceanographic equipment and gathered and analyzed the data. Students also learned some maritime skills on their trip including navigation, boat handling, trimming and managing sails and the physics of sailing.

More information on their journey and their Ship’s Log can be found at salish.org/?post_type=ships_log.