Washington State Science Standards

Oyster dissectOyster under the scopeBlaine 5th Graders on the Beauty

The Garden of the Salish Sea Curriculum uses shellfish as a vehicle to teach biology and pollution prevention. The subject matter lends itself to engaging classroom or home-school activities and field investigations that cut across essential academic learning requirements (EALRs) while raising awareness of local environs.  Shellfish and pollution prevention are models well suited to meet Washington State Science Standards at varied levels. Tie-in lessons and activities are built around field experience. This curriculum is designed to meets grade level expectations for grades 4-5 and 6-8.  This project also provides high school students opportunities for senior culminating projects with exposure to real world experiences that can make a difference in their community, linking water quality to healthy shellfish harvest and marine resources.

Essential Academic Learning Requirements

  • EALR 1 systems;  (grades 4-5) complex systems, (grades 6-8) inputs outputs boundaries and flows.
  • EALR 2 inquiry; (grades 4-5) planning investigations, (6-8) questioning and investigating.
  • EALR 3 application, (grades 4-5) different technologies, (6-8) science, technology and problem solving.
  • EALR 4 domains of science, life science (LS)
    • LS1; Structures and functions of living organisms (LS1); core content structures and behaviors (grades 4-5), from cells to organisms (grades 6-8).
    • LS2; ecosystems, core content; (grades 4-5), food webs , (grades 6-8) flow of energy through ecosystems.
    • LS3; (grades 4-5), biological evolution, core content: heredity and adaptation, (grades 6-8) inheritance variation and adaptation.