Salmon Biology Station
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