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