Teacher resources
The Breazeale / Padilla Bay Interpretive Center is open to the public Wednesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. We are excited to be scheduling on-site education programs for the upcoming school year.
Whether online or in person, we have resources for you. During this transition back to in-person learning, we can offer virtual programs but will focus on welcoming students to our on-site, place-based programs. We offer a variety of teacher workshops. Sign up for our teacher email list to stay informed, or contact us for details and scheduling.
Here you can learn about workshops, download our estuary curriculum, and check out our favorite online resources.
School programs
For the 2023-2024 school year, we would love to work with teachers to provide an on-site or virtual program for your class. Please see our contact information below. This includes programs for pre-kindergarten to college and home-schooled groups. Learn more about bringing your class to Padilla Bay.
Upcoming workshop
Teaching about ocean acidification and climate science for grade 4-8 teachers
June 20-21, 2023
- Explore local environmental data and incorporate data into your classroom.
- Receive the Ocean Sciences Sequence (OSS) curriculum on climate change.
- Earn 15 STEM Clock Hours (free).
- Receive a $100 stipend, if you implement the program with your students.
Click here for details and registration information.
If you'd like to hear about future workshops, sign up for our teacher email list.
Questions? Please contact Education Coordinator Susan Wood at 360-428-1066.
Curriculum — The Estuary Guide
We offer teacher guides that can be downloaded for three grade levels: K-3 (Level 1), 4-8 (Level 2), and high school (Level 3). They are intended to complement a visit to Padilla Bay but are also adaptable to other locations, especially in the Pacific Northwest. You can download these guides here:
Great online resources for teaching about estuaries
- Puget Sound Encyclopedia
- Estuary Education: Created by NOAA's Estuarine Reserve Division
- Lost and (Puget) Sound: Video about kids learning about stormwater pollution with curriculum for grades 3 to 9
- The Bridge: Resources supported by the National Sea Grant Office and the National Marine Educators Association (NMEA)
- Shoreline Aerial Photos: Find your beach
- The Rosario Beach Marine Laboratory: Species list for the Salish Sea
- King County: Photos of organisms
- Sound Water Stewards: EZ identification guide
- For Sea: Teaching science by studying the marine environment
- Waterlife: Internet games developed by NOAA
Teacher email list
Join the teacher email list to be notified about teacher workshops and other events of interest to teachers. We typically offer two to three workshops a year on a variety of topics.
Contact information
Chandler Colahan
Education & Community Outreach
ccolahan@padillabay.gov
360-428-1080