Salmon Biology Station

Children by a stream with a large dead fish.

OVERVIEW

Students hike to the farthest reaches of our program area to view a stream restoration site and a salmon spawning area.

LEARNING GOALS

Students will understand that salmon are very special species that spend some of their life in freshwater, and some of it in saltwater.
Students will be able to describe the salmon life cycle and developmental stages.
Students will observe salmon spawning in the river and learn how to identify males versus females.
Students will gain appreciation for the incredible navigation abilities of salmon.
Students will learn about the physical changes that salmon undergo throughout their lives, and why these changes occur.

VOCABULARY

Redd
Alevin
Smolt
Spawn
Yolk Sac
Fry
Parr Marks
Imprinting
Magnetite

WAYS TO PREPARE YOUR STUDENTS

Watch this salmon life cycle video (YouTube, 5 mins)
Have students color and label this salmon life cycle diagram
Read “The Life Cycle of a Salmon” book together or in small groups
Play this Salmon Life Cycle Quizlet
The amazing story of salmon (Freshwaters Illustrated video, 6 mins)

MORE LEARNING RESOURCES

Salmon life cycle video (YouTube, 5 mins)
How salmon find their way back home (Article)
Amazing salmon scent abilities (Article)
Salmon Migration (StoryMap)
The amazing story of salmon (Freshwaters Illustrated video, 6 mins)
Questions and answers about salmon (USGS)

Download a printable version of this station guide below:

Salmon Observation.pdf

Illustration of the salmon life cycle, from eggs in freshwater gravel to adult fish migrating to and from the ocean.

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