ED Talks: Nature and Environment on the Rock

On a sunny day in April, the students exploring Raab’s Lagoon as part of a seastar survey for their high school biology class were so engaged that they forgot they were learning.

“I’m so glad we aren’t at school!” exclaimed one of them.

“Well, actually, this is part of school,” replied Bianca Perla, director of Vashon Nature Center, organizer of this citizen science effort.

“Ha! Oh, yeah!”

In this island-wide project, high schoolers have been looking for salmon fry at Shinglemill Creek, searching for bog beetles at Lost Lake, studying the effects of deer grazing in the school forest, and even dissecting owl pellets and coyote scat to learn about their diets.

“Having experiences that tie-in what you’re learning in school with the real world makes a difference when you’re a high schooler,” says Perla, who launched her own scientific career as a teenager through a hands-on research program. “It’s a time in your life when authenticity really matters and you want to do things that are meaningful.”

The students at Raab’s Lagoon were collecting data for a seastar wasting survey as part of a study related to the concerning recent die-off in this animal population along the entire West Coast. In addition to counting seastars, the students learned about the moonsnail life cycle with island Marine Biologist Jeff Adams, who showed them several rare native oysters introduced as part of a restoration program several years ago.

The students’ findings will culminate at a science symposium called ED Talks: Nature and Environment on the Rock, an educational spin on the popular TED Talks. Scheduled for Sunday, May 17 from 2:30-5 pm at Vashon High School, this interactive afternoon will focus on the latest in island science investigation and discovery. Students and professional scientists and naturalists who have completed studies on Vashon will share posters of their findings and present brief talks followed by audience Q&A sessions. ED Talks is organized in partnership with King County, the school district and Vashon Nature Center. The public is invited for all or part of the event.

“We’re excited about ED Talks because partnerships between schools and professional scientists to research important local environmental sustainability issues is hands-on, authentic science work in the schools that motivates students, and advances scientific knowledge and skills,” says Roxanne Lyons, director of instructional services and grants for Vashon Island School District.

King County Vashon Basin Steward Greg Rabourn will share three significant habitat restoration projects on Vashon.
“I’m very excited to learn from our young scientists, as well as the more seasoned ones,” he says. “By having an open poster session, we have the opportunity to include a much wider range of projects than if the event was limited exclusively to presentations.”

Talks and posters will cover these and other topics:
• The Ecology of Pacific Herring
• Local Butterfly Appearances
• Island Birds—An Historical Flyover
• Seastar Wasting
• Do We Share the Rock with a Unique Native Vole?
• Island Habitat Restoration and Preservation Highlights
• Coyote and Owl Diet Analysis
• Shinglemill Creek Aquatic Macroinverterbates

For more information, please call Vashon Nature Center Outreach Manager Kathryn True at 206-567-5389, or email info@vashonnaturecenter.org.