The Value of Experiential Education: Teaching on a Tall Ship

Most people associate education with a classroom, lecture-style setting. However, I’ve found that the most powerful, inspirational and impactful education takes place when you’re outside the classroom actively participating in something. Climb aboard with me to explore my journey to find experiential education and how it has led me to one of the best teaching platforms that I know of, schooner Adventuress. (See Sound Experience)

About the Speaker

Jenny Smith
Jenny Smith
Sound Experience Development and Education Coordinator

Jenny Smith is an Environmental Educator and is the Development and Education Coordinator at Sound Experience, where she works with the team on fundraising, grant writing, event planning, crew training, teacher coordination, and curriculum development. Sound Experience is a Salish Sea area nonprofit that sails the historic schooner Adventuress to educate, inspire, and empower an inclusive community that works to improve our marine environment and celebrates our maritime heritage.

Jenny has a degree in Environmental Education and a minor in Environmental Science from Huxley College of the Environment, WWU. Over the last couple of years, Jenny has worked several different jobs including Youth Engagement Mentor at the Seattle Aquarium, Trip Leader at Camp River Ranch (a Girl Scouts of Western Washington camp in Carnation), Teen Program Coordinator at the Ferndale Boys & Girls Club and two seasons as Program Coordinator aboard schooner Adventuress with Sound Experience. She has always loved the Salish Sea and is very passionate about orcas, especially our Southern Resident Killer Whales. Jenny and her fiancé Jason live in Bellingham and love being near/on the water as much as possible.

Environmental Speaker Series

The Environmental Speaker Series is hosted by the College of the Environment at Western Washington University.

The Series is free and open to the public. Talks are held each Thursday at 4:30 pm in Academic Instructional Center West room 204 - AW-204. Talks will also be streamed via zoom. Register with the Alumni Association for the zoom link. Paid parking is available in lot C.

Learn more about the Environmental Speaker Series
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