Monterey Bay Salmon & Trout Project

STEPping into the New “ A Day of Training " with the STEP Crew
By Josephine Mendez

What does the Discovery Museum, painting, playing games, and water tests have to do with conservation? That's just what we discovered at a recent Saturday STEP training. The Discovery Museum in San Jose was the perfect location for our STEP class. The 16 or so educators that attended were ready for discovery, stimulation and learning; and the class didn't fall short! One of the greatest tools we received from the STEP crew is this fabulous new binder of lessons. Truly, it is impressive.

In addition to being incredibly organized and well thought out, the lessons are spectacular and engaging. Anyone for Habitat Battleship or Fish Pressing? Still, the STEP crew didn't stop there. We were given resources that complement the lessons in the new STEP binder and that will allow our students to enjoy learning first-hand about the importance of habitat conservation, and species preservation. Things like a preserved collection of fry development, or a watershed poster may seem a simple resource to some, but to a STEP educator, it's a goldmine.

Now, combine that resource with lessons that reach all types of learners, involve some problem solving, and are great fun, and you get a classroom of students and teacher who can't wait to get started! Another reason why the Discovery Museum was the perfect location for our class; the Guadalupe River is in its backyard. By the side of the river we tested the water for temperature and oxygen content, studied the macro invertebrates (even witnessed a mayfly hatch!), and then ran around pretending to be salmonids trying to find our way home by detecting the correct smell trail ok, maybe you had to be there for that one.

These activities helped bring the point home that the river and other such waterways are more than just a ditch to catch excess rain or something to pretty up a walking path. Did you know that at one point in time the Guadalupe River was alive and full of spawning Steelhead and Salmon? These rivers and creeks are still teeming with life, and with the help of people like Sandy Derby, Rebecca Fitch, Mary Ann Clare, Bruce Newhall, Dr. Don (aka Don Chesarek), Hugh Miller, and all the teachers and people who participate in the STEP, the rivers will continue to repair themselves and by providing students with such a wonderful collection of knowledge about their very own world, that spirit of conservation and preservation will continue well into the distant future.

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