Exploring Morro Bay Estuary 1: June 17- 21, 2019
Maximum students: 7
Monday - Friday 8:30 am - 4:00 pm
Enrollment Fee: $280.00
Meet @ Morro Bay State Park Marina, Tidelands Park, and Morro Bay Harbor Patrol
Age 1st - 4th grade
Students will explore Morro Bay Estuary to gain an appreciation for the importance of estuaries, in sustaining marine life in the open ocean. We’ll observe the behavior of local marine birds, summer migrants, and predatory birds that patrol the estuary. During “Belly Biology” on the docks, we’ll study the many organisms that make their homes underneath.
We’ll explore the salt marsh, mudflats, and rocky shores of the harbor mouth. We’ll visit an oyster farm, and kayak to the Sandspit to explore the sand spit dunes and beaches which offer miles of open shoreline for wandering, and scavenger hunts for sea hares sea slugs and other invertebrates. Students will observe the effects of tide cycles on life in the estuary, learn to read tide charts, and use them to predict high and low tides times. Students will also get a great orientation on Harbor Patrol activities and get a chance to cruise the harbor on a Harbor Patrol boat. If scheduling permits. We will also participate in a Watershed Workshop at the Morro Bay National Estuary Program Office on the Embarcadero.
We'll cap off the week with ice cream at Sun n' Buns and lunch at Giovanni's
Exploring Morro Bay Estuary 2: June 24-28, 2019
Maximum Students: 10
Monday - Friday 8:30 am - 4:00 pm
Enrollment Fee: $280.00
Meet @ Morro Bay State Park Marina, Tidelands Park, and Morro Bay Harbor Patrol
Age 1st - 4th grade
Students will explore Morro Bay Estuary to gain an appreciation for the importance of estuaries, in sustaining marine life in the open ocean. We’ll observe the behavior of local marine birds, summer migrants, and predatory birds that patrol the estuary. During “Belly Biology” on the docks, we’ll study the many organisms that make their homes underneath.
We’ll explore the salt marsh, mudflats, and rocky shores of the harbor mouth. We’ll visit an oyster farm, and kayak to the Sandspit to explore the sand spit dunes and beaches which offer miles of open shoreline for wandering, and scavenger hunts for sea hares sea slugs and other invertebrates. Students will observe the effects of tide cycles on life in the estuary, learn to read tide charts, and use them to predict high and low tides times. Students will also get a great orientation on Harbor Patrol activities and get a chance to cruise the harbor on a Harbor Patrol boat. If scheduling permits. We will also participate in a Watershed Workshop at the Morro Bay National Estuary Program Office on the Embarcadero.
We'll cap off the week with ice cream at Sun n' Buns and lunch at Giovanni's
Marine Science Gumbo 1: June 24-28, 2019
Age: 5th grade and above grade
Monday - Friday 8:30 am - 4:00 pm
Enrollment Fee: $320.00
Maximum Enrollment: 7
Meet @ Morro Bay State Park Marina across from Morro Bay State Park Campground
We will explore the inter-tidal zones of Morro Bay, and Estero Bay, searching for life among the rocks. We’ll have kayak scavenger hunts, looking for marine invertebrates under the docks and piers. We’ll also explore the sandspit and dune systems around Estero Bay that offer great opportunities for rolling and tumbling in the sand. We will have hands on marine labs and activities designed to enhance student understanding of biological interactions in marine ecosystems We will also explore the human impact on marine ecosystems with a field study on plastic debris. The upper division group will close out the week by going on a whale watching cruise to search for humpbacks and other marine mammals..
Marine Science Gumbo 2: July 15-19, 2019
We will explore intertidal zones searching for life among the rocks. We’ll have kayak scavenger hunts, looking for marine invertebrates under the docks and piers. We’ll also explore the sandspit and dune systems around Estero Bay that offer great opportunities for rolling and tumbling in the sand. We will have hands on marine labs and activities designed to enhance student understanding of biological interactions in marine ecosystems We will also explore the human impact on marine ecosystems with a field study on plastic debris. We will close out the week by going on a whale watching cruise to search for humpbacks and other marine mammals.
MAXIMUM STUDENTS: 15
ENROLLMENT FEE: $320.00
MONDAY - FRIDAY 8:30 AM - 4:00 PM
AGES: 3RD GRADE AND ABOVE
Gone Fishing July 8 - 12, 2019
Maximum Students 7
Ages: 7 and above
Monday - Friday 8:30 am - 4:00 pm
WE WILL BE FISHING FROM LOCAL PIERS IN MORRO BAY THE FIRST 3 DAYS AND GOING ON A DEEP SEA ANGLING TOUR ON THE 5TH O JULY. THE COST OF THE 1 DAY SPORT FISHING LICENCE FOR DEEP SEA TRIP IS INCLUDED IN THE ENROLLMENT FEE.
Meeting @ Morro Bay and Avila. Exact locations will be communicated daily.
Exploring Freshwater Creeks and Riparian Ecosystems: July 8-12, 2019
Young scientists and explorers will have an opportunity to investigate and explore local creeks and lakes, learning about riparian (river) ecosystems including macro-invertebrates, insects, crayfish, and various riparian plants. Students will come to appreciate the importance of these habitats and the role they play specifically on the Central Coast. Students will perform basic water quality tests similar to what would be done with a home aquarium. Students will learn how water temperature, movement, and creek substrate affect the types of of organisms you see in specific areas. They will learn about the importance of watersheds and, they will spend considerable time just EXPLORING.
Maximum Students 10
Age range 1st - 4th grade
Enrollment Fee: $280.00
Meet@ Santa Rosa Park, Cuesta Canyon Park, El Chorro Regional Park,and Laguna Lake
Oak Woodland, Pine, and Redwood Forest Ecology: July 15-19, 2019
STUDENTS WILL STRENGTHEN OBSERVATION SKILLS WHILE CONDUCTING INVESTIGATIONS IN SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY’S OAK WOODLAND, PINE FOREST, AND CHAPARRAL ECOSYSTEMS. ON THE JULY 11TH-12TH WE WILL CAMP OUT IN AND EXPLORE THE REDWOODS OF SANTA CRUZ COUNTY. STUDENTS MAY FOCUS ON TOPICS SUCH AS ANIMAL BEHAVIOR, BIODIVERSITY, NATURAL PATTERNS OR SYMBIOSIS WHILE EXPLORING PLANT AND ANIMAL COMMUNITIES. FIELD SKETCHING, JOURNAL WRITING AND DATA COLLECTION, WILL BE INTEGRAL TO OUR FIELD STUDIES.