Elwha Science Education Project

The Elwha Science Education Project provides culturally-integrated academic enrichment for middle and high school students within the Klallam community. Students learn about their home from the perspectives of Klallam culture, the geosciences, and Elwha River restoration.  Our hope is to inspire and encourage future leaders for the river's restoration and scientific challenges coming in our future.

Several partners have come together to support this National Science Foundation-funded project, including Tribes and education organizations.  Elwha Science Education Project staff come from Olympic Park Institute, the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe, and Western Carolina University.

Program Components

Several types of programs are a part of the Elwha Science Education Project, to provide a variety of experiences and support for participants.  These include:

• Week long residential program for high school youth
• Week long residential program for middle school youth
• Monthly school-year field trips
• Academic support and mentoring

Community Involvement

An important part of the success of the Elwha Science Education Project is community involvement.

Outcomes and Evaluation

The Elwha Science Education Project is formally evaluated by an independent evaluator.  In addition to reports from this evaluation, you may also view a short video that students from our Elwha Geosciences 2008 High School Summer Program created about their relationship to the watershed.