“The REYS program was very valuable for students. In the classroom, we cannot provide such a complete view of science. Through this program, students were able to take a real life problem, look at the environment through field study, run controlled experiments to see what would be beneficial to help restore the habitat, and then do some work in helping the environment through planting trees. I liked that students learned why they were planting trees before they went out to just put them in the ground. While at the site, students also learned how to plant a tree correctly. I liked that they could see the salmon on our first field study and compare a healthy and unhealthy habitat. They learned that there are various environmental factors that affect the health of salmon. The fact that the lessons were spread throughout the year was also nice to increase the retention of knowledge. I liked that students learned what they could do to help their environment. I feel like the program touched on GLEs that I cannot get to in the classroom. I also liked it when students ran controlled experiments and students could hear Ms. Cara using the same terms that I did in class. She really knows her stuff and it is nice to hear someone else telling students that they need to know how to run a controlled experiment. I feel like students cared more about what we were doing in class because they could see why it was necessary to learn about science and trying to figure out what could make a difference in an experiment. I cannot tell you how many times I said, ‘Remember how we did this with Ms. Cara?’ in class. When we did WASL practice, students remembered their learning from REYS to answer the questions.” – 5th grade teacher from Lakewood School District
“Students were engaged in real problems in an authentic way. I like that students get to go on fieldtrips to experience learning in a different way and that the Sound Salmon Solutions’ educators come to the classroom prior to and after the fieldtrips to provide learning to supplement what the students do on the fieldtrip.” – 7th grade teacher from Snohomish
“The best part about the Tree Connections program is how hands-on the lessons are and how students become more invested in the community as a result of experiencing ways they can help. All the lessons were very applicable to real life and match the state science standards for our grade level. The facilitators are all very knowledgeable and passionate about what they do. They made the lessons come alive for students. Sound Salmon Solutions’ educators did an excellent job of modeling how to teach science, covering key content all the while making it a fun learning experience for students.” – 5th grade teacher from Arlington
“I liked that students have to come up with their own questions are expected to think like a scientist; there is not one right answer and students need to think for themselves. I also loved that students shared their data with the scientists!” – 7th grade teacher from Snohomish
“I thought everyone who worked with the students were very knowledgeable and helpful. You were able to take sometimes complex ideas and break them into nuggets that were consumable to students. My children and I walked away with a heightened knowledge and appreciation for the area in which we live.” – 5th grade teacher from Lakewood School District