Monterey Bay Salmon & Trout Project

By Hugh Miller

School days are here again and our STEP (Salmon Trout Education Program) is already off and running. As you can imagine, it is a challenging task to coordinate over 120 STEP classes in eight different counties. The program's success however, provides ample reward to the Project Coordinators. More teachers are asking to join this popular program each year.

Our STEP K-12 Teacher Workshop is scheduled for January 15th & 16th, 2000. We will be doing a curriculum upgrade and adding a STEP web page during this school year. As in past years, releases of steelhead fry by certified STEP classes will most likely occur during May or June, 2000.

STEP continues to emphasize a thematic curriculum, which uses a hands-on approach in teaching the importance of preserving our remaining native salmon and steelhead populations to children in K-12 grades. In the two-day workshop, teachers interact and learn together. Teachers learn actual methods and techniques for working with groups of students out on a stream and how to process streamside information back in their classrooms.

Last year, STEP teachers were recognized for their contributions to their students and communities. Brett Harte Middle School Teacher, Hope Oliver was awarded an all-expense trip to Colorado by General Electric, to attend a curriculum development course in environmental studies. Elementary STEP teacher, John McPherson was publicly recognized by the Morgan Hill Unified School District Supervisors for his work with students in STEP activities.

If you would like additional information about STEP, you may contact the STEP Educational Advisor, Barry Burt at (831) 688-0187, or the STEP Coordinator Hugh Miller (408) 268-3945.

Click here to learn more about the STEP Program.

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