Orca Island has long been a favorite destination for vacation seekers. With its fjord-like bays and sounds, deep harbors, lakes, streams and waterfalls, this San Juan Island off the coast of Washington State has more than 125 miles of saltwater shoreline. However, not everyone on Orcas Island are tourists. The resident population of about 3,500 year-round residents include a number of GLOBE students who are working hard to collect environmental data.

At Orcas Island High School, named after a Spanish explorer, Mr. Dennis McKinney's ninth grade biology students spent their first year as a GLOBE school taking atmospheric measurements. Students believe in the importance of GLOBE, so much so that they volunteer to take these measurements during their lunch break, on the weekends, and even holidays.

McKinney's classes take pride in their participation in real science. They are especially concerned about the Carbon buildup in the atmosphere and know that their participation in taking measurements makes a difference. Surrounded by ocean, McKinney's class plans to begin taking salt water measurements in Fall 1998.