This fall, students in grades 6 through 12 will have an opportunity to delve into the fast growing career field of environmental science and green technology at the Mercer Slough Environmental Education Center in Bellevue through two programs: The Environmental Science & Technology Practicum (grades 9-12) and Environmental Science Pathways (grades 6-8).
With the recent increase of $25 million in scholarship funds in Washington state for college students pursuing science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) fields of study, high school and even middle school preparation are investments in a child’s future.
The practicum provides high school students with an opportunity to gain hands-on field and laboratory experience in our state-of-the-art wet lab while exploring career possibilities first-hand from professionals in the field. The nine-week program revolves around aquatic and terrestrial investigations in the biologically diverse wetlands of Bellevue and includes time in the field as well as in the lab.
Each session also provides direct exposure to professionals who specialize in clean technology and environmental science. They share their work as well as mentor students and discuss next steps on specific career paths in their respective fields. Students receive a certificate of completion at the end of their nine-week session to include in their academic portfolio and to enhance college applications.
For middle school students, Environmental Science Pathways allows for introductory exploration into the world of environmental science and clean technology. For eight weeks, students will discover the science behind renewable energy, watersheds and our natural environment. They will conduct field experiments in the biologically diverse wetlands of Bellevue and explore the chemistry of freshwater and marine systems in state-of-the-art wet lab. Participants also will learn about many of the fascinating and diverse career paths that are available in environmental science and clean technology.
“Practicum and Pathways are both examples of programs that directly address the need for science literate students to pursue academic degrees and careers in STEM-related fields,” said Ann McMahon, vice president of science and education for Pacific Science Center. “Each program focuses on hands-on investigations that reinforce a sense of stewardship in our community while learning about the biologically diverse wetlands in our backyard.”
Both sessions take place in Mercer Slough’s state-of-the-art wet lab facility and throughout the 320-acre nature park.
Practicum sessions are held on Saturday mornings from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. starting on Oct. 11 and will run through Dec. 13 (with holiday weekends excluded). The session fee is $390. Learn more at http://www.pacificsciencecenter.org/Mercer-Slough/environmental-science-and-technology-practicum
Pathways sessions are held after school on Thursday afternoons from 3:30-6 p.m. starting on Oct. 2 and will run through Nov. 20 (with holiday weekends excluded). The session fee is $275. Transportation assistance is available for Bellevue students.http://pacificsciencecenter.org/Mercer-Slough/environmental-science-pathways.
To register for both, call 206-443-2925.
Built on a 320-acre wetland, Mercer Slough Environmental Education Center is a collaboration of Pacific Science Center and the city of Bellevue. For general information on Mercer Slough’s programs and the facility, visit: http://www.pacificsciencecenter.org/Mercer-Slough/slough.
