Let us know if you'll be joining us at any of the events on Friday. Across the day, we will bring you the opportunity to engage with life, earth, and physical science! You received a code to sign up for pre-events in an email (the one with LOTS of info) from WSTA on 10/2. If you can't find it, just email WSTACommunicationsTeam@gmail.com and we will help you.
There are no additional costs to the field experiences or the social and you can come to them a-la-carte. Knowing who is planning to attend helps us ensure we don't start without you and that we have enough food. Thanks!
Here is the schedule for the afternoon and evening with the full descriptions below.
| Time |
Event |
| 1:00 pm |
Outdoor Field Trip Begins |
| 1:00 pm |
Fossils and Geology Field Trip Begins |
| 3:00 pm |
Marine Life Center Tour Begins |
| 4:00 pm |
All Field Trips End |
| 5:30 pm |
Social at the SPARK Museum Begins |
| 7:30 pm |
Social Ends |
Field Experiences:
1:00 - 4:00 pm Outdoor Field Trip at Maritime Heritage Park (STEM Clock Hours)
Join outdoor educators from local organizations to connect science with nature! We will venture along a creek, spending some time to showcase activities that incorporate habitat assessments, water quality testing, plant identification, and forming connections with nature. We'll even keep our eyes open for spawning salmon! Participants will have an opportunity to see nature-based activities geared toward various age levels that incorporate STEM and are accessible and inclusive. Participants will have access to supporting content they can utilize in greenspaces near schools or in their community. Please let us know if you have any questions or need anything else, and we're looking forward to this!
- Meeting location: Maritime Heritage Park (meeting at the Salmon Woman Totem).
- Total walking distance: 1-2 miles (we can take low-incline, wheelchair accessible pathways as needed)
- Gear to bring: Close-toed shoes, water bottle, and raingear if needed
1:00 - 4:00 pm Fossils and Geology at Racehorse Creek (STEM Clock Hours)
Join us for a field experience at Racehorse Creek led by a Western Washington University geology professor, where we'll explore the remarkable geologic history of the North Cascades and discover one of Washington's richest fossil sites. Participants will learn how ancient marine fossils preserved in the area provide evidence that these mountains were once part of a vastly different landscape, offering a powerful window into Earth's past. This guided excursion is a unique opportunity to deepen your Earth science content knowledge while making connections to place-based teaching and three-dimensional learning. Trip includes approximately 45 minutes of travel each way, (we will have vans to take participants) along with time outdoors exploring the site.
- Meeting location: TBD - Downtown Bellingham to catch vans to location.
- Total walking distance: Variable, not a hike but exploring the creekbed.
- Gear to bring: Close-toed shoes, water bottle, and raingear if needed
3:00 - 4:00 Tour the Marine Life Center
Please join us for a one-hour visit at the Marine Life Center to discover the facility, explore local marine life and learn about our educational programming! The experience will include time to explore the Marine Life Center, followed by a harbor walk around Squalicum Harbor to experience the local marine environment firsthand. Attendees will learn about opportunities to connect students with marine science and the unique environment of our local waters.
Meeting location: 1801 Roeder Ave Ste 100, Bellingham, WA 98225
5:30 - 7:30 pm Social at SPARK Musuem of Electrical Innovation
Join us for an electrifying social at the lovely SPARK museum. Network with your fellow science educators, take in the MEGAZapper electricity show, enjoy some victuals, and tour the museum! Heavy apps and beverages will be served. Don't hesitate to come if you don't yet know anyone else, our board members and attendees always make new friends at this event.