Programs
Sakhalin Salmon Initiative Opens New Education CenterNews & Program Updates
On September 29, 2008, an innovative educational science center was officially opened at Sakhalin State University. The center was created by the Sakhalin Salmon Initiative Center with support and financial assistance from the Wild Salmon Center and Sakhalin Energy.
The center is outfitted with the newest technology and computer programs, and will offer advanced scientific training to school biology teachers and students. The center will train the region's future specialists in resource conservation and nature preservation. It will also train regional elementary and high-school school teachers in environmental education methodologies.
A special guest at the opening was Aleksandr Khoroshavin, the governor of Sakhalin Oblast, who spoke about the innovative economic future of the region.WSC's Nicole Portley attended the event, accompanied by Lucinda Longo, a technology teacher from Mapleton High School, OR, and Jim Martin, co-founder of Oregon Trout's Salmon Watch education program.
Sakhalin Governor Aleksandr Khoroshavin speaks to the innovative economic future of the region.
"Specialists who have been trained at our new center will be sought after in any industry," said Boris Misikov, the President of SSU. Prior to the ceremonial opening of the center, Martin and Longo, along with Zsuzsanna Nemeth from Portland Public Schools, led a Salmon Watch-focused education seminar on Sakhalin on September 23-26. Twenty Sakhalin teachers participated. The teachers were instructed in science inquiry teaching methods, field and classroom Salmon Watch curriculum and explored ways to integrate technology (computer programs) with the Salmon Watch program. Future such trainings will be held at the new education center.
The educational science center is one of several educational projects of the Sakhalin Salmon Initiative, which plans on opening a salmon park in the region as well.