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