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 K-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 july 28 - August 1

    Mon-fri 8:30am-2;30pm

    2nd 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

    advanced kayaking, whale watching and marine life studies August 4-8

    mon-fri 8:30 am-2:30 pm

    Age range: 3rd grade and above

  • Maximum class size 10 students

    Enrollment Fee: 450.00

  • The students will observe marine life during a 3-hour whale watching cruise and 4 days of kayaking around the Estuary.

  • Students will increase their observation skills by viewing marine life from shore using binoculars and spotting scopes.

  • Students will keep journals to describe conclusions they’ve drawn from observing feeding, swimming, resting and diving behavior.

  • On Friday, there will be a group discussion where students will share their observations 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 Freshwater and Saltwater August 11-13

    Mon-Fri 8:30 am-2:30 pm

    Age range 3rd grade and above

    Maximum class size 10 students

    Enrollment Fee: 350.00

  • 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.

  • Students will capture and examine creek invertebrates to determine how water temperature and chemistry affect species distribution.

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

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

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