In coordination with Wenatchee ISD and the Chelan PUD, NCESD developed this exciting field trip for fourth graders in Chelan, Douglas, and Okanogan counties that integrates information on power generation, the Columbia River, and salmon migration. Taking place at Chief Joseph Dam and Chelan Falls Dam in the fall, and Rocky Reach Dam in the spring, River of Power serves almost 1,600 students in NCW every single year. Students have the opportunity to tour the hydroelectric dams, view the fish passage, learn about energy transfer, and design and build their own dams with their peers. Students learn that our mountains and streams provide a unique hydropower bounty on the Columbia River, that’s not only a clean, but renewable resource for the entire Northwest.
Heather Stringer
Science Cadre Member
heatherst@ncesd.org
Jane Schuyleman
Professional Services Team Secretary
janes@ncesd.org
Lesson 1: The Columbia River – A River of Power
Headwaters of the Columbia River
Video
– 7 minutes
Read “Voyage to the Pacific,” Straddle the Columbia, pp. 3-5
Voyage to the Pacific (.pdf file)
Links
Lesson 2: Watercycle
Thank you for sharing Pauline Baughman – Quincy
Printables for Lesson 2
Dice
Animal
Clouds
Groundwater
Lake
Ocean
Plant
River
Snowpack
Soil
Station Posters
Animal Poster
Cloud Poster
Groundwater Poster
Lake Poster
Ocean Poster
Plant PosterSoil Poster
River Poster
Snowpack Poster
Soil Poster
Printables
Links:
Water Cycle by Students
Utah State Cooperative Extension – Water Cycle Materials
USGS Water Cycle for Kids
Place Mat Water Cycle
Lesson 4: Stakeholders of the Columbia River – Salmon and Native American
Videos
Journey of the King – 22 minutes
Memories of the Water – 8:19 minutes
Sternwheelers on the Columbia – 17:8 minutes
Read “Voyage to the Pacific,” Paddle the Upper River, pp 5-6
Printables
Legend of the Lost Salmon – A Yakima Legend (link)
How Coyote Made the Columbia River
Additional Resources and LINKS
*** Check out the Games! Includes: Salmon Dissection and a survival game.***
Thank you – Michelle Lieberg, Eastmont
Follow the lifecycle of a Chinook salmon…
Salmon Life Cycle – GC PUD ( drawings and poster)
The Amazing Journey of the Columbia River Salmon
Lesson 5: Other Stakeholders
Read Voyage to the Pacific part 2 “Paddle the Upper River.” pp 5-6
Lesson 6: Why Dams?
Read “Voyage to the Pacific,” A Lake on the Roof of the World, and Back Toward Civilization, pp 7-11
Printables
Assessment – 1 Student Page final
Assessment – 2 Student Page final
Links
Chief Joseph Dam History Video – 6 minutes
Lesson 7: Magnetism and Electrical Circuits
Black Line Master
Investigation – Electro Magnet
Lesson 8: Hydropower Generation and Transmission
Lesson 8 Text
Videos
To Build a Dam – Part 1 19:55 minutes
To Build a Dam – Part 2 1:35 minutes
Links
Teacher resource “Explore Electricity”
Energy Teacher and Student resource
Hydro Power: How Electricity get form the River to Your House Bonneville Power Administration
Lesson 9: Salmon and Hydropower
Printables
Videos
Power and Fish – 8 minutes
Chelan County Dept. of Natural Resources – Salmon Recovery
(includes link to “Getting It Done” video – 11:36 minutes)
Read “Voyage to the Pacific” From Lake Roosevelt to the Grand Coulee Dam, Paddling a Desert River pp 12-17
Links
Science Contacts
Latest Program News
A Closer Look at Special Education Funding in Washington State
Over recent years, many districts have reported that the actual costs of providing Special Education services have outpaced the funding received through state and federal sources. Although the Legislature raised the funding cap to 16% this year, that increase amounts to an investment of only $19.6 million for 2024-25.
How Quincy School District is Taking a Data-Driven Approach to Support Postsecondary Pathways for Students
At Quincy High School, Assistant Principal Susan Rose and her team are leveraging data to enhance their programming and support students in achieving postsecondary education. Quincy School District has been able to collect and analyze quantitative and qualitative data to shine a light on the barriers students face when it comes to achieving postsecondary education.
Championing Student Well-Being: The Vital Role of Student Assistance Professionals in Schools
Student Assistance Professionals (SAPs) play a crucial role in supporting students' overall well-being. Working as part of a school's student support team at the secondary level, SAPs dedicate the majority of their time to addressing students' non-academic barriers to learning. This includes issues related to school engagement and attendance, mental health needs, and substance use related issues.