Marine Biology in Puget Sound

This project week course is designed around three essential questions: What's found in our Puget Sound marine environment? Why should we care about it? How can we take care of it? We’ll look for cross-disciplinary answers at a variety of sites in the region via aquarium visits, field studies, and interaction with individuals working to steward and sustain our local marine environment.

Our first day begins on campus for an overview of the week and creation of gyotaku (traditional Japanese fish print) T-shirts. We will then travel to the Seattle Aquarium for a self-guided scavenger hunt and lab investigation of the impact of ocean chemistry on oyster farming practices. Day two will find our group at the Center for Wooden Boats building and paddling an Umiak. This experience will give students a chance to spend time on the water as they learn about the importance of the Sound for local Native Americans. Tuesday afternoon we will investigate current commercial fishing practices with a visit to the Seattle Fisherman’s Terminal to learn from Peter Knutson, founder of Loki Fish Company. On Wednesday we will spend the day on campus, dissecting starfish, posting to our blog and practicing for our overnight trip at the end of the week. Day four we will once again hit the road, travelling to Anacortes and Whidbey Island. We will stop at Padilla Bay to learn about a local estuary, its environmental importance and the impact of humans on its health. Then we journey on to Deception Pass State Park where we will spend the night. On Friday we will explore the local area, returning to Overlake that afternoon.