Salmon in the Schools - Seattle
Salmon in the Schools - Seattle (SIS-Seattle) empowers community and inspires environmental action by connecting students with local watersheds. Raising regional salmon is a gateway to curiosity, wonder, and scientific investigation. Every January, around 75 schools in Seattle receive salmon eggs to raise. They learn about the salmon lifecycle and what kind of habitat salmon need to thrive. In the spring, students release their salmon in a local creek or waterbody.
In the Pacific Northwest, salmon are important to our history, culture, and economy. They are an indicator of the health of our waterways and feed both people and orcas. This program empowers students to see themselves as active participants in protecting this keystone species and shaping the future of their local watersheds.
Program Learning Goals & Resources
Through place-based and hands-on learning, Salmon in the Schools - Seattle fosters a strong ethic of stewardship and an understanding of the interplay of stormwater systems and the broader ecosystem. By the end of the program, each student should:
- Build a place-based connection to their local waterbody and watershed
- Recognize salmon as a keystone species with deep cultural and ecological importance
- Develop a personal ethic of care for salmon and their habitats
- Understand and identify how everyday actions and the drainage system impact water quality and salmon health
- Identify civic actions and policies that support salmon recovery and watershed health
This program thrives –along with the salmon– when students are a part of the process of raising and caring for salmon. Students learn about the salmon life cycle and the cultural ties of salmon to our region and people. We offer lesson plans and other resources to aid teachers in connecting students with salmon. Visit the Learning Resources page for more information.
In addition to lesson plans, we offer two field trip opportunities to participating schools Visit the Field Trips page for more information:
- Fall Salmon Search: Students visit Carkeek Park or Dragonfly Park in late fall to observe the return of salmon to these areas. They learn about salmon before they receive eggs.
- Spring Salmon Release at a local site: Schools release their young salmon into their permitted waterbody. Students will get hands-on experience and participate in a learning activity
Timeline
Below is an approximate timeline if you are rearing coho or chum salmon. This is not a complete list of all the tasks you will accomplish but provides a good outline.
| Salmon Rearing Timeline | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Recruit tank volunteers | yes | yes | yes | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Schedule Fall Salmon Search fieldtrip | yes | yes | yes | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Plan presentations and lessons | yes | yes | yes | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Participate in SISS workshop | - | yes | yes | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Set up tank | - | yes | yes | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Student instruction | - | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Monitor water quality | - | - | - | - | yes | yes | yes | yes | - |
| Receive eggs, predict hatch | - | - | - | - | yes | - | - | - | - |
| Observe changes | - | - | - | - | yes | yes | yes | - | - |
| Schedule Spring Release Field Trip | - | - | - | - | - | yes | yes | - | - |
| Feed fry | - | - | - | - | - | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Release fry and document number | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | yes | yes |
| Complete teacher survey | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | yes | yes |
| Clean and store tank for next year | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | yes |
| Sign up for next year | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | yes |
- Recruit tank volunteers
- Schedule Fall Salmon Search fieldtrip
- Schedule presentations and plan lessons for the year
- Participate in SISS workshop
- Set up tank
- Begin student instruction in salmon and ecosystem concepts
- Continue student instruction in tank care and salmon/ecosystem concepts
- Prepare students for observing salmon hatch and behavior after eggs arrive in January
- Receive eggs, predict hatch date using SISS lesson
- Watch eggs hatch, and begin to observe changes in development
- Begin to monitor water quality
- Begin student instruction in caring for salmon and monitoring water quality
- Begin to feed fry after yolk sac is completely absorbed
- Schedule Spring Salmon Release Field Trip
- Arrange for fish care over mid-winter break
- Continue feeding fry until they are released
- Arrange for fish care over spring break
- Begin student instruction in salmon release and continued environmental stewardship
- Complete teacher survey
- Sign up for next year
- Disassemble tank and store for next year
Host Salmon in Your School
Participating in Salmon in the Schools - Seattle requires time, financial resources, teacher and principal buy-in, and commitment to education about salmon. Schools are asked to keep their salmon tank in a common area so all children and families may learn from it.
SIS-Seattle provides permits, salmon eggs, trainings, tank support, learning resources, field trip opportunities, and more. Use this section to decide if this program is a good fit for your school.
School eligibility & prioritization
All schools within Seattle city limits are eligible to participate. Given limited resources, SIS-Seattle prioritizes participation from the following schools:
- Public schools
- Under-resourced schools (37% or higher free and reduced lunch rates)
- Elementary schools. The program is primarily geared towards upper-elementary grades and the flexibility of the elementary school day.
Private schools, middle schools, and high schools are also included on a case-by-case basis as space allows.
Initial costs and effort
SIS-Seattle is maintained through volunteer effort, in-kind support, and funding from Seattle Public Utilities and private donations. We provide financial support for tank equipment, repairs, and bus costs for field trips based on need.
Private schools and public schools with less than 37% low-income students are expected to cover at least some, if not all the initial set-up costs (up to $1,900), as well as the full cost for annual consumable items. We suggest schools budget up to $250/year for supplies and the eventual replacement or repair of equipment.
Depending on available funds, we help with expenses as follows:
| Expense type | 37% - 100% FRL | 0% - 36% FRL | Private Schools |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic set-up, (e.g., tank, chiller, stand, filter unit) |
No charge | Sliding scale | Paid by school** |
| Chiller repairs | No charge | Sliding scale | Paid by school |
| Maintenance and Consumables | No charge | Paid by school | Paid by school |
| Bus costs (per field trip | One bus full reimbursement | Up to $150 reimbursement | Paid by school |
*FRL – Percent of students who qualify for free and reduced lunch
**Loaner equipment may be available for private schools that need time to purchase their own
Interest Form
If your school would like to participate in Salmon in the Schools – Seattle for the next school year:
- Read the SISS Participation Agreement
- Review the SISS Teacher Handbook
- Fill out the Interest form
Interest forms are due by May 15 for the following school year.
Once we receive your interest form, we will assess whether your school meets the necessary criteria and if we have the capacity to add your school for the following school year. We will contact you with next steps.
Salmon in the Schools – Seattle is currently full for the 2026-27 school year.
Outside Seattle
If your school is outside of Seattle, please contact Matt Davidson, Program Specialist – School Cooperative Program, at Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, for information for your region or school.
You may find additional resources at Bringing Salmon Education to Washington State Schools with the Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction. Regional programs include:
- MidSound Fisheries Enhancement Group – Auburn, Kent, and Highline Public Schools
- Foss Waterway Seaport – Tacoma Public Schools
- City of Federal Way – Federal Way Public Schools
- Kitsap County – Central Kitsap Public Schools
- Sound Salmon Solutions – Mukilteo, Edmonds, Riverview School District and others