This year’s focus will be on the fundamentals of scientific inquiry: Making observations, asking questions, making connections and drawing conclusions. we will also engage in observations and discussions regarding interconnections between different life forms

Ocean and Coastal Literacy: Examining Marine Plants and Animals. June 9-13, Mon-Fri 8:30 am-2:30 pm

Grades 1st-3rd ( fall 2025): Maximum class size 10 students

Age Range: K-3rd

Enrollment Fee: $450.00

Students will:

  • Observe and discuss plant and animal adaptations for survival on beaches, in tidepools, and in the rocky intertidal.

  • Examine marine invertebrates and plants living under the estuary’s docks (Belly biology).

  • Capture microscopic organisms, examine them using field microscopes, and engage in discussions about their role in marine food webs.

  • Cruise the estuary with Subsea Tours for marine life observation and underwater viewing.

  • Explore the Natural History Museum, and the salt marsh to understand the role of fresh and saltwater in creating estuaries,

  • Use journals to record observations, ask questions, and sketch wildlife using basic field journaling techniques

    Drop-off and pick-up locations tbd based on the location of daily activities

    Ocean and coastal literacy: what it means to be a scientist June 16-20 mon-fri 8:30 am-2:30 pm

    3rd grade and above: Maximum class size: 10 students

    Enrollment fee: 500.00

    Students will:

  • Spend 2 days Kayaking to explore the north and south ends of the estuary and the sandspit dunes and beaches

  • Use field science research methods, scientific sketching, and journaling techniques

  • Engage in discussions regarding the interconnections

  • Capture and identify plankton using plankton nets and field microscopes

  • Search for humpback whales and other marine animals in Estero Bay with Subsea Tours.. Trips are about 3 hours from 9 am until 12 pm

  • **Students will be responsible for keeping a journal that will be turned in daily.

    Drop-off and pick-up locations tbd based on the location of daily activities

    tidepools, freshwater creeks. volcanic rocks and coastal dunes june 23-27 Mon-fri 8:30am-2;30pm

    4th grade and above

    Maximum class size: 10 students

    Enrollment fee: $450.00

    Students will:

  • Spend 2 days exploring tidepools and rocky intertidal zones along the Central Coast,

  • Kayak across the estuary to explore sandspit dunes and beaches to find native and non-native plants

  • Examine life under the docks In Morro Bay to search for nudibranchs and other invertebrates

  • Use field microscopes to examine microscopic plants and invertebrates

  • Explore freshwater creeks and lakes to test water quality and discuss human impacts on regional ecosystems

  • Drop-off and pick-up locations tbd based on the location of daily activities

    Mud Puppies, Dune Bugs and Beach Hoppers June 30-July 4 Mon-fri 8:30-2:30

    Age range: K 3rd grade

    Maximum class size: 10 Students

    Enrollment Fee: 450.00

    Students Will:

  • Explore Morro Bay Estuary salt marsh, mudflats and Coleman Beach

  • Conduct beach hopper investigation and shoreline scavenger hunt

  • Collect sea shells for marine art projects

  • Explore coastal dunes to identify native and non-native plants

  • Tour the estuary with Subsea Tours on their underwater viewing vessel

  • Learn to sketch animals and birds in field journals

  • Visit Morro Bay Natural History Museum

  • Drop-off and pick-up locations tbd based on the location of daily activities

    Whale-watching, advanced kayaking, marine animal observations and studies july 7-11 mon-fri 8:30 am-2:30 pm

    Age range; Middle school and above

    Maximum class size 10 students

    Enrollment Fee: 575.00

  • Students in this class will be designing their own research projects covering specific bird or animal species.

    The students will collect data from observations made during 3-hour whale watching cruises on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. and kayaking trips on Tuesday and Thursday Observations from shore using binoculars and spotting scopes to collect data will be included

  • Students will keep daily journals recording information gathered from observation on feeding, swimming, resting and diving behavior.

  • On Friday there will be a group discussion where students share their observation and conclusions.

  • Drop-off and pick-up locations tbd based on the location of daily activities

    life in a drop of water: Exploring and investigating freshwatater and saltwater july 14-18 mon-fri 8:30 am-3:30 pm

    Age range 3rd grade and above

    Maximum class size 10 students

    Enrollment Fee: 450.00

    This week students will make connections between different ecosystems within the Morro Bay and San Luis Watersheds

  • Students increase their data collection skills by performing water quality tests for pH, phosphates, nitrates, dissolved oxygen and ammonia.

  • Students will capture and identify insect larva to draw conclusions about how water temperature and chemistry affect species distribution.

  • Students will explore creeks to become familiar with plants common to riparian ecosystems

  • Students will also record observations in their journals either in word form, sketches, or both

  • Drop-off and pick-up locations tbd based on the location of daily activities