Field Experiences

WSD provides rich and engaging science experiences that build upon science standards and learning in the classroom. Students in grade K-8 attend at least one major field experience event per year. 

• Kinder: Students experience a nature walk and learn about the plants (trees) and animals (eagles, beavers, ducks) that live in a freshwater ecosystem. 
• 1st:  Students learn the needs of the plants and animals of the shrub steppe and the ways in which they survive and grow.
• 2nd: Students visit our local landforms learning how the Earth's surface changes and the things that cause it to change.
• 3rd:  Students learn about the importance of salmon to the native people (past and present), the local economy and ecology, salmon life cycle and how to protect salmon.
• 4th: Students tour the Rocky Reach Dam learning about hydropower generation and how energy is transferred to homes for use.  
• 5th: Students learn about the food webs of the shrub steppe and how to preserve this environment. They also take part in an engineering challenge.
• 6th: Students learn about forest health, megafires and what is being done to control them. 
• 7th: Students learn about avalanche safety and careers in managing snowpack including careers at the DOT and NASA snowpack research. 
• 8th: Students learn about sustainable practices in their home and community as well as careers in electric vehicle technology and waste management.