WWCS students released salmon at Goudy Park

Students from three elementary schools in the Wayne-Westland Community Schools district released salmon they raised into the Rouge River at Goudy Park. This was part of a science project in partnership with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.

By Sarah Shurge – Wayne-Westland Community Schools students from three elementary schools released salmon at Goudy Park.
This happened on Monday, April 28th, in celebration of the DNR Salmon in the Classroom Project-Based Learning (PBL) unit, a collaboration between Wayne-Westland Community Schools, the STEM Center, and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR).
Throughout the school year, participating students have been raising salmon from eggs in their classrooms, observing their growth, and learning about ecosystems, responsibility, and environmental stewardship. The students released the salmon into the wild as part of the hands-on learning experience.
“We are extremely proud of our students who have cared for these salmon from eggs and taken an active role in this incredible learning journey,” said Karen Dickelman, PreK-12th grade STEM Teacher.
All participating students wore custom-designed t-shirts created using Gyotaku art, a traditional Japanese method of fish printing.
Homestead Bakery donated 150 salmon-shaped cookies for students to enjoy.
In addition, attendees received a copy of a collaborative student-published book—written by high school students and illustrated by third graders—that chronicles the journey of a salmon.
The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) led an educational lesson titled “The Life of a Salmon.”
Wayne-Westland Community Schools is excited to announce that this meaningful, community-supported project will become an annual tradition in the district.