Grade 5 Students Dive into Seaweed Science

On Thursday, April 3, 2025, two Grade 5 classes from Glenlyon Norfolk School—led by Ms. Rhonda Stark and Ms. Sarah Wallace—ventured out to the rugged west coast of Vancouver Island for an unforgettable day of hands-on learning at Muir Creek Beach in Sooke. Their guide for the day was none other than Amanda Swinimer, a local marine biologist and author of The Science and Superpowers of Seaweed: A Guide for Kids, whose passion for the coastal ecosystem brought the intertidal world to life.

The field trip offered students a unique opportunity to explore the wonders of the Pacific Northwest shoreline through the lens of science, sustainability and stewardship. As they combed the beach with Amanda, students discovered a variety of edible kelp and seaweed species, many of which thrive in the cold, nutrient-rich waters of the Salish Sea.

Amanda shared her knowledge on how to identify different types of seaweeds, including bull kelp, sugar kelp, dulse, nori and sea lettuce. Students were thrilled to sample all five, developing a new appreciation for the textures and flavours of these marine superfoods. Through tasting, touching and examining each specimen up close, students connected deeply with their coastal environment in a sensory-rich experience that brought science beyond the classroom.

But it wasn’t all snacking and seaweed spotting—Amanda also taught students how to recognize signs of a healthy beach and marine ecosystem. One particularly interesting insight: while sea lettuce (Ulva) is a naturally occurring green algae, an overabundance of it can actually indicate a problem. Excess sea lettuce is often a red flag that the area is experiencing nutrient pollution, often from agricultural runoff or urban waste, which can throw the delicate marine ecosystem out of balance.

Emphasizing the importance of sustainability, Amanda demonstrated how to harvest seaweed responsibly—cutting only parts of the plant, leaving the holdfast intact, and ensuring that the ecosystem remains undisturbed. Students learned that their actions matter and that respecting nature is key to preserving the diversity and vitality of our oceans.

This immersive outdoor experience not only sparked curiosity about marine biology but also encouraged thoughtful conversations around environmental care and stewardship. It’s a shining example of how experiential learning can build a deeper connection between students and the natural world—one tide pool and seaweed strand at a time.