WWU to bring youth programs to Anacortes

Western Today staff

February 4, 2015

Western Washington University Youth Programs has announced three new youth programs to be offered in Anacortes starting in February 2015.

Presented in partnership with the Anacortes School District and Western’s Shannon Point Marine Center, WWU Youth Programs will offer Early Release Enrichment, an Ocean STEM after school program, and Odyssey of Science & Arts – one of Youth Programs’ flagship Bellingham programs for the past three decades.

“We are delighted to be working in partnership with the Anacortes School District and Western’s Youth Programs to provide quality programs to enrich learning for children and youth in Anacortes,” said Shannon Point Marine Center (SPMC) Director Erika McPhee-Shaw. “Anacortes works hard to support its schools and children, and it also has a strong sense of place centered around its marine environment and heritage that makes such programs a natural fit. I hope we might be able to grow these programs in the future.”

“We at Western appreciate the support of Superintendent Wenzel and everyone else in the Anacortes School District for so enthusiastically helping get this off the ground. We also appreciate student scholarship support from the Anacortes Schools Foundation,” McPhee-Shaw said.

All programs will be taught by Mira Lutz, a Western Washington University alumna, who holds a bachelor’s degree in marine biology and teaching certification.

“Mira is a very enthusiastic educator who is passionate about teaching marine science to students of all ages,” said Debbie Gibbons, WWU Youth Programs manager.  “Her connections to Anacortes Schools, Shannon Point Marine Center, Western’s Bellingham campus, and community organizations are a testament to her vision of creating STEM enrichment activities that will support the Next Generation Science Standards for the greater community.”

Early Release Enrichment

Designed for students in grades K-5, Early Release Enrichment offers an alternative to traditional child care during early release conference week.  The program will be offered Monday through Thursday, Feb. 9-12, at Island View Elementary and will feature a variety of hands-on science and art activities:

  • Feb. 9 – Structures for Survival
  • Feb. 10 – Name that Critter
  • Feb. 11 – Predator-Prey Power and Symbiotic Sensation
  • Feb. 12 – Real Marine Science Research at Shannon Point Marine Center

These offerings have received a high level of interest since registration opened, and are currently full.  To sign-up for a waitlist, or to be added to a mailing list for future early release offerings, please call (360) 650-3308 or email extendeded@wwu.edu.

Ocean STEM after school program

An Ocean STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) after school program for students in grades 5-7 will be offered beginning Feb. 18 at Anacortes Middle School.  Students will experience hands-on science, engineering and technology activities based on Next Generation Science Standards with the goal to support success on Science MSP.  The program will offer two sessions running on Wednesday afternoons:

  • Feb. 18 through March 25 – Ocean Tech; students will build and operate an underwater Remote Operated Vehicle (ROV) and test their design in a pool
  • April 1 through May 6 – Salish Sea Life Experience; students will explore seaweeds, invertebrates, fishes and marine mammals

Each session costs $89 and will meet for six Wednesdays.

Odyssey of Science & Arts

WWU Youth Programs will offer Odyssey of Science & Arts during spring break from March 30 through April 2 at Shannon Point Marine Center and Washington Park.  Geared toward students in grades 3-5 and 6-8, the courses will explore marine mammals who inhabit the Salish Sea.  Students will learn through hands-on activities in specialized learning labs and an outdoor classroom, and will train to be a harbor porpoise observer for real porpoise population research. 

A morning session from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. will be offered for those in grades 3-5 and an afternoon session will run from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. for students in grades 6-8.  Each session costs $129.

Registration for all three programs is available online at http://www.wwu.edu/youth.  For more information email youth@wwu.edu or call (360) 650-3308.

Western Washington University’s Youth Programs have been inspiring youth for over three decades through educational and recreational enrichment.  Taught by top quality educators and Western education students, youth enjoy access to specialized labs and university resources as they explore their educational and creative passions in a safe, lively college atmosphere.  In addition to personal growth, Western Youth Programs encourage youth of all ages to consider higher education as a possibility for their own future.

The Shannon Point Marine Center’s mission is to support and promote marine science academic programs at WWU, develop new information about local marine environments, train the next generation of marine scientists, and provide public education events.