Seeing the Source Program
Seeing and discovering our mountain fed drinking water supply
This field trip journeys to the heart of the Cedar River Municipal Watershed. For 3.5 hours, Naturalist-led, hands-on activities encourage understanding of water cycles, watersheds, water quality, erosion, cultural history, riparian areas and wildlife. Students See the Source of their mountain fed drinking water supply, and discover the importance of protecting and conserving it for fish and people.
- Teachers must provide commercially licensed school buses or vans. (Bus subsidies are available for Seattle Public Schools).
- One 4th or 5th grade class per program; 32 student max, 1-5 adult to child ratio
- Available to 4th or 5th grade classes in the spring and fall sessions
Programs offered:
- Spring: Spring: Mid-March to mid-June
- Fall: Mid-September to mid-November
What to Expect: Agenda and Logistics
Teachers: This is to help you prepare for the field trip. Please do not share these logistics with your students. We strive to provide surprise and delight for students during the field trip.
- Printable Teachers Packets – Seattle schools (pdf)
- Printable Teachers Packets – Other District schools (pdf)
Seeing the Source Teachers Packets include: What to expect: agenda and logistics, student and teacher checklists, driving directions, word search activity, pre-trip questions sheet.
For more information, see our Frequently Asked Questions.
Center Arrival
Bus arrives at Education Center- Arrival times can vary from 9:45 to 10:45 AM depending on the school stat time. The program length requires 3.5 hours.
Once the bus arrives Naturalists board and provide a brief introduction. Students then off-load bus for a bathroom break followed by a slide show- overview of Watershed, wildlife, and water system. “Seeing the Source” students are to leave their lunches and bags on the bus. 60 minutes.
Class re-boards the bus and follow pilot car into Watershed while one naturalist accompanies bus, sharing stories and answering questions. 15 minutes.
Activity One: Cedar Falls and Cedar River
Students divided into two groups and rotate through two activities. Students explore how land and water interact thru hands on activities outside. 60 Minutes.
Activity Two: Chester Morse Lake covered lunch shelter (no heat)
Lunch! We have a pack-it-in, pack-it-out lunch policy. 20 minutes.
After lunch, habitat walk and wildlife story- 30 min (if time and weather allow)
Wrap-up and Goodbye
Class departure: As students re-board the bus, we ask you to please do a head count prior to boarding the bus. Bus follows pilot car and exits Watershed. 15 minutes.