From the forest to the lab: High schoolers get hands-on learning in environmental workshop

Students from UW Bothell and local high schools explore stream biology, geomorphology and more on campus and at the Environmental Education & Research Center.

Gathering in labs, woods and creeks — and working alongside recent graduates from the University of Washington Bothell — local high school students spent two weeks this summer learning about science and the environment on campus and at the Environmental Education & Research Center at Saint Edward State Park in Kenmore, Washington. 

“It’s great for people of any age to understand the history and biology of the area in which they live,” said Dr. Jeffrey Jensen, teaching professor in UW Bothell’s School of STEM. “For young people in particular, this means they will care more about their environment and be more likely to be good stewards.”  

This year’s workshop, which covered stream biology, geomorphology and geography, grew out of a similar two-day event Jensen led in 2022 where he instructed students about fish and the history of the watershed, including the presence of Indigenous people now and in the past. 

“That was a successful run, and we decided to expand this year to include mapping, geographic information systems and geology,” Jensen said. 

The workshops were supported by local partner iUrban Teen, an educational program that brings together underrepresented teens and young adults for career exploration and mentoring.