The Mountains to Sound Education Program teaches students in King County schools about the challenge of sustaining a healthy, natural environment in balance with the needs of a growing population.

We offer four different curriculum units to 5th through 10th grade students. Teachers may sign up for an in-class activity with an optional field study trip to a forest on Tiger Mountain afterwards. There are no fees for these events, and you may apply for a school bus subsidy.

"Do trees have feelings? Is the sap I see the tears of the tree?"
 - Student on a field study trip

Savvy about Soil, Wise about Water explores the connection between soil, water and forests through hands-on experiments. Students will begin to develop an understanding of how soil textures help determine the use of the land.

Forests and Fins focuses on forest ecology and the lifecycle of salmon. It is ideal for classes that have had little or no exposure to salmon and stream health education. Students practice evaluating the health of a stream in the classroom in order to be prepared to do an evaluation in the field.

Forests on the Edge inspires dialogue between students. The focus of the program is land use issues and how to best use the remaining forest lands that border our urban areas. Students are broken into six groups and after completing a hands-on activity engage in presentations to advocate their views. Parents like this topic a lot!

Greening up the Greenway is all about biosolids, the end-product of treated sewage waste. This unit defines biosolids, how they are applied and studies whether it is a good idea to recycle human waste. Teachers ask for this program during a unit on recycling or land use issues.

Once a teacher has signed up, each class is eligible for:

• Activity Guide with Materials
• In-Class Visit by Mountains to Sound Greenway Staff
• Field Activity at Tiger Mountain State Forest
• Extension Activities
• NEW! Environmental restoration events are available for schools after participation in Seeking Solutions, funded by a No Child Left Inside grant from the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission.
  

"Seeking Solutions" is aligned with the EALRs: Essential Academic Learning Requirements (pdf) and is funded by generous grants from the King County Wastewater Treatment Division. The program is supported by the Thomas H. Maren Foundation, Kiwanis Club of Issaquah and donors to the Mountains to Sound Greenway Trust.

To receive an education brochure and registration information, fill out the Sign Up Form or contact Sally Kentch.