Education is not an exact science. Yet, there are some surefire winners out there and the Salmon in the Classroom program is one of them.

The program, a partnership between the Whidbey Watershed Stewards, the South Whidbey School District and the Schools Foundation, tasked four fifth grade classes with raising 250 coho salmon, from egg to fry, over a four-month period in an aquarium at school. Students spent this past Friday morning releasing them into the Maxwelton watershed.

While survivability rates make it doubtful any of the coho will grow to maturity and one day spawn, it wasn’t just fish that was nurtured in that tank at school — it was student interest.

This interactive program just may have given birth to a new generation of researchers. At least, several said they were thinking about future careers in science or marine biology. Truly amazing what a few eggs, a bit of “stinky” fish food, and the right educators can accomplish.

Well done.