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From Stream to Sea: Exploring Nature, Learning Together, Building Community

This past October, we had the opportunity to partner with the Department of Fisheries and Oceans and the Big, Little Science Centre to bring the magic of salmon conservation into our preschool environment.

While the Stream to Sea Salmon Hatching Program offered a valuable nature learning opportunity, equally important was its potential to engage the children in more personal conversations. How is the childrens’ journey of growth similar to the salmon fry? and how do they feel about the adventures that lie ahead, such as moving on to Kindergarten.

The adventure began with the fertilization of tiny salmon eggs in October, the children were riveted. From the moment they first saw the wiggling alevin in December, our children were captivated by the wonder of new life unfolding before their eyes. Children, educators and families engaged in scientific exploration and inquiry, developing fundamental skills such as observation, prediction, experimentation, and analysis. As they watched the salmon grow and develop, many of them started to make connections between cause and effect, develop hypotheses about their behavior, and draw conclusions based on evidence—all essential skills in scientific inquiry.

One of the most exciting moments of our program is the final family and community outing to Tranquille Creek at Pike Park, where we release the salmon fry into their natural habitat. Surrounded by the beauty of nature, our children eagerly gathered with their families to participate in the final step after months of care and dedication. Together with their families, children that had carefully filled their bags with stream water were rewarded with a salmon fry for release. Carefully releasing the small salmon into Tranquille creek, they bid farewell to their finned friends, knowing that they're playing a vital role in their journey from stream to sea.

Aligned with the Early Learning Framework in British Columbia, our program promotes inquiry-based learning, environmental awareness, and social-emotional development in our youngest learners. As they explore, discover, and play, our children are laying the foundation for a lifelong love of learning and a deep respect for the world around them.

Our Stream-to-Sea Salmon Hatching Program is an example of the power of nature, the importance of community, and the boundless potential of our preschoolers. Together, we're exploring, learning, and growing, one tiny salmon fry at a time.