Snow to Sea
A collaborative outdoor learning pathway hosted by multiple community organizations reaching all students at at Nooksack Valley Middle School starting in 2022.
Snow to Sea is a pathway program for middle school students (6th – 8th grade) hosted by multiple community-based organizations. Throughout the three-year program, students follow water molecules from the Nooksack River’s high alpine headwaters down to the river-mouth and saltwater of the Salish Sea.
Snow to Sea is supported through Washington State funds administered by the Recreation and Conservation Office (RCO).
Seed to STEM
The Seed to STEM program is currently expanding on Snow to Sea to develop a career-connected, outdoor learning pathway serving K-8th grade students. Seed to STEM is intentionally designed to benefit all students by specifically providing equitable support that benefits Native students, Latine students, and students with developmental disabilities. These experiences prioritize students’ passions and cultural values, help them discover diverse and sustainable career paths, and gain the skills and confidence to pursue them.
In March 2024, the Nooksack Valley School District, Vamos Outdoors Project, the Nooksack Indian Tribe Education Department, and the Wild Whatcom SEED program, welcomed applications for community partners who provide outdoor learning experiences for K-5th grade students and support services that benefit this effort to participate in a funded planning process in Spring 2024, and partner on the implementation of the pathway program in the 24-25 school year if additional funding is secured. Applications are now closed, but please don't hesitate to get in touch if you are interested in learning more about the program.
Seed to STEM Materials for Community Partners:
Snow To Sea Journey
6TH GRADE
Whatcom Explorer: Mobile Watershed
Snow Science with Snow School
Outdoor Recreation with Camp Saturna
Science Fair with Western Washington University
7TH GRADE
Farm Tour with Whatcom Conservation District
Marine Science with Garden of the Salish Sea Curriculum
8TH GRADE
Set Sail with Community Boating Center
Vamos Outdoors provides additional support for Latine, Migrant, and MLL students in the field
All Students
“I love every part of it, the water, the learning, the environment, everything.”
- 7th Grade Student
"I think it was fun because I've never experienced any of these places."
- 6th Grade Student
"It was a lot of fun and I hope to continue this scientific Snow to Sea project."
- 6th Grade Student
