Summer Programs on the Hub

Summer vacation is here and we are excited to provide you with a list of fun, educational programs students and families can get involved in through the California Environmental Literacy Initiative (CAELI) Community-Based Partner Hub (the Hub)! 

The Hub is a great tool for teachers, parents or guardians, and students to identify local environmental education programs to participate in year-round. From summer camps to internships, the Hub has the information you need to engage with and learn about our diverse and abundant Californian environment this summer. 

Visit the Hub today and use the filters to find the right programs for you. Filter by program type, grade level, cost, location, and more! We have highlighted a few programs below that are available this summer for both students and families looking to get outside and learn more about the environment! 

Acterra You(th) Be the Change – Grades 6-8, After school, virtual, school-based, Free 

Durham ferry (SJCOE) Summer Day Camps – Grades 3-8, Day Camp, Fee 

Kern Environmental Education Program Camp KEEP – Grades 5-7, Residential Camp, Fee 

Living Classroom After School/Enrichment – Grades TK-8, Fee 

Marine Science Institute  

MBARI Internship Program – Grades TK, 11, 12, Free 

MEarth Summer Camps – Grades 3-10, Day Camp, Fee 

The Marine Mammal Center Ocean Conservation Leaders – Grades 9-12, After School or Virtual, Fee 

Monterey Peninsula Regional Park District Let’s Go Outdoors – All Grades, Field Trip, Free 

San Francisco Zoo & Gardens Zoo Camp – Grades K-6, Day Camp, Fee 

Seymour Marine Discovery Center Ocean Explorers Summer Camp – Grade N/A, Day Camp, Fee 

Relevant Links

CAELI Community-Based Partner Hub

The Hub promotes environmental literacy by building educator awareness of environmental education community-based partners and their products and services and fosters educator-partner relationships for increased student enrichment and engagement.

California Environmental Literacy Initiative (CAELI)

The California Environmental Literacy Initiative (CAELI), led by Ten Strands, works statewide with guidance from a leadership council to create systems change in support of environmental literacy with a focus on access, equity, and cultural relevance for all students.

Ten Strands

Ten Strands weaves stakeholders and strategies together into strong, focused education partnerships, with the goal of raising environmental literacy by providing high-quality environment-based learning and hands-on education to all California K–12 students. Ten Strands acts as an incubator and a catalyst to create collaborations, build capacity, and transform systems to increase their impact and sustainability.

Copyright © Green Guardians Inc.

Pilot Feedback Analysis | BAB Lesson Series

Over the month of May, we piloted the Bananas About Bananas K-1 lesson series in 5 school districts across California and gathered feedback on the quality, accessibility, and relevancy for teachers and students. We’re excited to share some of the feedback we gathered from teachers.

Over the month of May, we piloted the Bananas About Bananas K-1 lesson series in 5 school districts across California and gathered feedback on the quality, accessibility, and relevancy for teachers and students. We’re excited to share some of the feedback we gathered from teachers.

Missed last week’s bulletin introducing the lesson series? Check it out here!

Some of our key takeaways from the pilot were:

  • Teachers are excited about environmental literacy lessons
  • Teachers prefer short lessons that can be broken up into smaller segments
  • Teachers prefer to teach environmental literacy in-person
  • Environmental literacy lessons need to be designed so they are accessible to students of all ages and backgrounds
  • Teachers want content that is engaging and relevant to students

Learn more about the feedback we received through the initial Bananas About Bananas lesson series pilot in today’s article! Read the article here.

Let us know what lesson materials you value the most and what you’d like to see included in curriculum units and lesson series: Contact us today!

Relevant Links

Bananas About Bananas Lesson Series

For Kindergarten and Grade 1 students. Through readings, activities, and discussions, students trace the journey of a banana from farm to home and beyond, consider its environmental impact, and envision a greener journey.

Green Guardians Newsletter

Sign up to be notified when new lessons are released!

News and Events

Wild Wonder Nature Journaling Conference
Jun. 23-27, 2021 John Muir Laws

This is an annual event that gathers people who are passionate about nature, art, science, curiosity, and wonder to share ideas, learn from each other, support each other, inspire each other, and have fun together in nature’s beauty.

Green Schools Conference
Jun. 28-29, 2021 USGBC

This year the Green Schools Conference will convene virtually over two half-days of programming, featuring inspiring keynotes, interactive education sessions, and engaging peer group networking opportunities.

Volunteer for the Earth Workshop
Jun. 30, 2021 Earth.org

Join this workshop on citizen engagement to learn how you can make a difference in 2021.

Will 2021 be the year governments commit to quality climate education? A growing call for action ahead of the G-20
Jun. 02, 2021 Brookings

For nearly 30 years, many governments have acknowledged education as an important element in national and global efforts to combat climate change and for setting the stage for a sustainable future.


People’s odds of loneliness could fall by up to half if cities hit 30% green space targets
Jun. 09, 2021 The Conversation

One in four Australians feels lonely on three or more days a week. Our longitudinal study, just published in the International Journal of Epidemiology.

Here are some of the most exciting green Technology Pioneers of 2021
Jun. 15, 2021 World Economic Forum

From lab-grown fish to food coatings you can eat; from zero-emissions flying to satellite data to verify reforestation. Here is our pick of some of the most innovative and exciting green-tech pioneers.


6 ‘Green Nobel Prize’ Recipients Announced
Jun. 16, 2021 EcoWatch

Nicknamed the “Green Nobel Prize,” the prestigious Goldman Environmental Prize recognizes grassroots activists from six continents who have moved the needle on environmental issues their communities face. This year’s recipients led the charge on.

Sea Turtles Lead Space Force Straight to the Cocaine
Jun. 16, 2021 Gizmodo

The Space Force joined the war on drugs last month, courtesy of nesting sea turtles.

5 places where ecosystems are being restored around the world
Jun. 17, 2021 World Resources Institute

Ecosystems are being damaged by the human impact on our planet. Global warming and plastic pollution have damaged habitats, putting those living within them at risk. Restoring these ecosystems is vital to restore biodiversity around the world, with added benefits to humans.

How L.A.’s urban tree canopy reveals hidden inequities
Jun. 17, 2021 National Geographic

A drive from north to south down Vermont Ave in Los Angeles, California, reveals how trees on the city’s streets change with the income level of each neighborhood.

Copyright © Green Guardians Inc.

Bananas About Bananas Pilot Feedback

Check out the feedback we collected from our recently piloted Bananas About Bananas K-1 lesson series!

The pilot was completed by 8 teachers from kindergarten and 1st-grade classrooms in 7 different schools across 5 districts stretching from the schools in the San Francisco Bay Area to schools in So Cal. Teachers in the pilot program had access to:  

  • Teacher guides  
  • Family guides in both English and Spanish 
  • 3 Lessons including: 
    • Lesson Storybooks 
    • Teacher PowerPoint Slides 
    • Interactive Quizzes  
    • Lesson boardgames for students 

Below are some of the key takeaways from the feedback we collected from the pilot teachers. 

Teachers are Excited about Environmental Literacy Lessons 

We received a positive response from teachers upon completion of the pilot lessons series, with 100% of teachers surveyed saying they were either satisfied or very satisfied with the Bananas About Bananas lesson series. 

Teachers Prefer Lessons of Less than 1 Hour 

When asked to best describe the amount of time it took to deliver each lesson in the Bananas About Bananas lesson series, 87.5% of teachers responded that the timing for each lesson was “just right,” at an hour or less. With our easy-to-follow teacher guides, we aim to provide lessons for teachers that can introduce environmental literacy to students while being implemented across multiple subjects. Teachers rated the lesson material quality favorably, rating the storybooks, interactive quizzes, and teacher PowerPoints all above a 4-star rating. Teacher PowerPoints had the highest rating, which is indicative of teachers valuing the ready-to-use teaching materials for each lesson. 

Teachers Prefer to Teach Environmental Literacy In-Person 

Probably not a big surprise. Environment-based education is often most effective when it’s hands-on and exploratory which suits in-person instruction. While teachers piloted the lesson series in person, in a distance-learning setting, as well as in a hybrid setting, most teachers preferred in-person instruction and rated it the best form of delivery for Bananas About Bananas. 

Environmental Literacy Needs to Be Accessible 

The main goal of the Bananas About Bananas lesson series is to teach valuable content skills in Science and English language arts by integrating important and engaging environmental issues into materials. However, sometimes these environmental issues can be complex and it’s imperative to provide sufficient vocabulary and concept support so that students don’t get bogged down. Teachers also expressed a need for lessons to be covered across multiple days to allow students more time to learn new concepts.  

It’s important to note that 75% of teachers who participated in the pilot had over 11 years of teaching experience, with 5 teachers teaching primarily Kindergarten students and 3 teachers teaching 1st grade. Although 2 of the respondents had 5 or fewer years of teaching, we acknowledge the need to ensure that our lessons are suitable for teachers of all experience levels. 

Teachers Want Content Relevant to Students 

When asked about an additional lesson series teachers would be most interested to teach, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle (a project-based lesson series on waste management), and Protecting Animal Habitats (a lesson series on biodiversity and ecology), tied for the most requested! 

We are passionate about providing high-quality and accessible lesson materials for teachers across the US, and the data gathered in this pilot will allow us to improve future lesson series in ways that can best benefit the teacher and their students.  

In our effort to provide teachers with the content they are asking for, we have already begun production on My Zero Waste Journey, a lesson series on the 3Rs (Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle) that will be released in the upcoming weeks! 

Are you a teacher and interested in being a part of the next Green Guardians pilot? Contact us today and become a part of an exciting environmental literacy movement! 

Are you looking to gather lesson materials for the upcoming school year? Sign up to receive the Bananas About Bananas lesson series today at no cost!

Let us know what lesson materials you value the most and what you’d like to see included in curriculum units and lesson series: Reach out today!
 

Copyright © Green Guardians Inc.

An Introduction to Our First Lesson Series!

This week, we are excited to introduce the first of our environmental literacy lesson series, Bananas About Bananas, complete with teacher guides, interactive quizzes, and board games for students to play!

This week, we are excited to introduce the first of our environmental literacy lesson series, Bananas About Bananas, complete with teacher guides, interactive quizzes, and board games for students to play!

Bananas About Bananas advances environmental literacy through a series of 3 lessons based on English language arts standards. Bananas About Bananas is a lesson best suited for Kindergarten and First-grade learners.

Through readings, games, and discussions, students trace the journey of a banana from the farm to the home and beyond! Students consider the environmental impact of the banana’s journey and envision a greener approach.

Click the link below to sign up and receive access to all three lessons in this series!

Relevant Links

All About Birds

In the All About Birds program, students will explore the wide variety of birds typically found in our local neighborhoods. Learn about the unique features of bird beaks, feet, and feathers that help these beautiful animals thrive.

CAELI Community-Based Partner Hub

The Hub promotes environmental literacy by building educator awareness of environmental education community-based partners and their products and services and fosters educator-partner relationships for increased student enrichment and engagement.

Farm Discovery at Live Earth

In the Farm Discovery fields, garden, and animal pens at Live Earth Farm, students from diverse backgrounds learn how to care for the health of those three interconnected systems. Through sustainable farming and hands-on nutrition education, Farm Discovery field trip participants learn how caring for themselves can also support healthy ecosystems, economies, and communities.

Life Lab – Garden Field Trips

Fall Farm to Fork Field Trips: For 1st grade through middle school students, this program helps students to make the important connection between farms and the food on their dinner table. Winter Feeling Fine with Fresh Food Field Spring Science Exploration Field Trips: For 1st through 4th graders, grade-specific themes align with NGSS: (1) Structure and Function/Plant Parts; (2) Pollination; (3) Life Cycles; (4) Structure and Function/Internal Plant Parts Sowing the Seeds of Wonder Field Trips: For PreK/K, this program gives young learners hands-on experiences with the source of their food

News and Events

Summer Training at Home 2021
Jun 14-25, 2021 Edible Schoolyard Project

The event is open to all and free of charge. Join this exciting series of workshops, webinars, and skill shares that will bring together edible educators from around the world.

The Children’s Environmental Health Series
Jun. 15 and 22, 2021 NEEF

This series engages medical and public health professionals in discussions that explore prominent issues affecting marginalized people and presents evidence-based methods for integrating best practices for broad implementation.

After Dark Online: Get Up, Stand Up: Organizing for Environmental Justice in Richmond
Jun. 17, 2021 Exploratorium

Hear from prominent Richmond environmental justice organizations about their work to connect with the land as a form of resistance—educating the public, empowering residents, shaping policy, and more.

Petrifying Climate Change
Jun. 03, 2021 Hakai Magazine

Researchers want to combat climate change by chemically converting carbon dioxide into rock on a grand scale.

California moves to disentangle its spending from global deforestation
Jun. 03, 2021 Friends of the Earth

Recent research from Friends of the Earth concluded that up to 25 percent of California’s public purchasing may be linked to deforestation in sensitive tropical and boreal forests.

How Returning Lands to Native Tribes Is Helping Protect Nature
Jun. 03, 2021 e360

From California to Maine, land is being given back to Native American tribes who are committing to managing it for conservation. Some tribes are using traditional knowledge, from how to support wildlife to the use of prescribed fires, to protect their ancestral grounds.

Don’t compromise science when protecting water quality in the nation’s rivers and streams: Derrick Z. Jackson
Jun. 03, 2021 EHN

Follow the science – which Obama used and Trump ditched – in developing a new definition of “waters of the US” under the Clean Water Act.

Bringing tech innovation to wildfires: 4 recommendations for smarter firefighting as megafires menace the US
Jun. 08, 2021 The Conversation

Record-breaking fires over the past decade suggest the western U.S. has entered a new era of megafires. They are fires that produce massive amounts of smoke that can kill thousands of people prematurely and contribute to climate change.

3 ways to work with nature to boost biodiversity
Jun. 09, 2021 World Economic Forum

Returning land to its natural state is essential to boost the quality and quantity of the ecosystems that support plant, bird, wildlife, and insect species.

COP26 launches environment education packs for UK schools and students
Jun. 10, 2021 Gov.uk

Schools across the UK are being encouraged to start a conversation on climate change with their students, ahead of the UK hosting global climate summit COP26 later this year.

California Environmental Literacy Initiative (CAELI) Community-Based Partner Hub

Green Guardians, Ten Strands, and the California Environmental Literacy Initiative (CAELI) are excited to announce the launch of the CAELI Community-Based Partner Hub (The Hub) with generous initial funding support from The David and Lucile Packard Foundation and the Morgan Family Foundation. 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

For more information contact:

Brian Heger

bheger@greenguardians.com

312-203-3677

Oakland, CA — June 4th, 2021 — Green Guardians, Ten Strands, and the California Environmental Literacy Initiative (CAELI) are excited to announce the launch of the CAELI Community-Based Partner Hub (The Hub) with generous initial funding support from The David and Lucile Packard Foundation and the Morgan Family Foundation. 

The Hub promotes environmental literacy by building educator awareness of environmental education community-based partners and their products and services and fosters educator-partner relationships for increased student enrichment and engagement. Through the Hub, county offices of education and districts showcase and promote existing environmental education community-based partners in their communities to schools and teachers as well as discover new partners looking to align their offerings to the needs of the K–12 school system. Five California county offices of education will have a dedicated presence at the Hub — Monterey, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, San Joaquin, San Mateo — with more coming online later in the year. San Francisco Unified School District, a district and a county, will also have access to the Hub. 

The Key Themes of the Hub: 

  • Increase Equitable Access to Environmental Education Programs 
  • Support Capacity Building for Administrators and Teachers 
  • Create Connections Between the Formal and Nonformal Education Sectors 

The goals of The Hub are to increase the visibility and access to environmental education partners and providers and be a reliable central repository for districts, schools, and teachers to identify programs that align with their local needs and meet educational standards.

“The Hub will help with equity efforts by making it apparent which districts/schools/grade levels are receiving services from the CBPs within the county and where access needs to be expanded.

Dean Reese, Science Coordinator, Outdoor Education, and Environmental Literacy, San Joaquin County Office of Education

County offices of education can enroll in The Hub and create their own county-specific portal. Through their portal, they can provide links to resources, promote services, and most importantly direct users to vetted environmental education providers.

Community-based partners (CBPs) can sign-up directly through the central CAELI site and promote their organization and programs. CBPs will have the opportunity to highlight how their offerings meet K–12 school system needs by connecting them to environmental topics and identifying key links to California’s standards and Environmental Principles & Concepts (EP&Cs).

Districts, schools, and educators can clearly identify providers that offer standards and EP&Cs aligned locally relevant and culturally responsive programs for their students. Utilizing filters such as grades, subjects, topics, standards, and availability, teachers connect with providers and programs that best suit the needs of their students.

About CAELI, Ten Strands, and Green Guardians

CAELI, a project of Ten Strands, is a public-private partnership that works statewide, with guidance from a leadership council, to create systems change in support of environmental literacy with a focus on access, equity, and cultural relevance for all students.

Ten Strands is a field catalyst for the K–12 school system in California focused on advancing the environmental literacy of students. It partners with state government, local education agencies, providers of environmental education, community members, and funders to make environmental literacy a reality for all California’s K–12 students.

Green Guardians is a new California-based education technology company dedicated to advancing environmental literacy as an activity-based and standards-linked paradigm in K–12 education across the United States and the world. 

Contact Green Guardians today to become part of The Hub: info@greenguardians.com

Visit www.caeli.greenguardians.com and watch the video below to learn more!

Going Out to Sea with Marine Science Institute

This week, we wanted to take the time to highlight Marine Science Institute, a partner on the California Environmental Literacy Initiative (CAELI) Community-Based Partner Hub. 

“Marine Science Institute is a safe space for students to have hands-on access, get curious, and have their questions answered!”

Jodi Stewart, Land Program Manager, Marine Science Institute

This week, we wanted to take the time to highlight Marine Science Institute, a partner on the California Environmental Literacy Initiative (CAELI) Community-Based Partner Hub

Marine Science Institute is a nonprofit that was started in 1970 in Redwood City, CA with the mission to get people outside and to have hands-on access to the San Francisco Bay. Their flagship program, The Discovery Voyage, takes students out to the water on their vessel, allowing them to come in contact with live animals, use science equipment, and ask questions!

We are excited to share the interview we had with Jodi Stewart, Land Program Manager at Marine Science Institute (MSI). She has over 10 years of experience working in Environmental Education and eight years with the Marine Science Institute.

Her current role involves overseeing all land-based and online programs. Land-based programs include field trips to MSI, field trips to the coast, and in-school visits. She is the collaborative representative for local community partnerships and is the lead for NGSS documentation. 

Check out the video below!

Support & Learn More About Marine Science Institute On Our Blog

Relevant Links 

CAELI Community Based Partner Hub | Marine Science Institute 

Check out the Marine Science Institute on the California Environmental Literacy Initiative (CAELI) Community-Based Partner Hub hosted by Ten Strands and CAELI, and powered by Green Guardians. The Hub links the K–12 school system with environmental education community-based partners and promotes environmental literacy work across California.

Marine Science Institute 

The Marine Science Institute provides engaging and interactive hands-on adventures with San Francisco Bay Area marine life. Led by a team of expert marine science educators, these experiences impact students of all ages, inspiring respect, and stewardship for the marine environment.  

Academy @ Home for Pod Groups | Marine Science Institute 

Each session students will spend their time learning about Marine Science.   
This program is designed for learning pod groups and is brought to the home/site of that group. Students will observe live animals found in San Francisco Bay and Northern California Coastal habitats each day. Students will learn marine science concepts through hands-on activities that further their understanding of the Scientific Method. 

In Person Group Programs | Marine Science Institute 

The Marine Science Institute provides a scientific experience built on California standards-based activities and a memorable voyage into nature for students of all economic backgrounds. The Marine Science Institute puts students in physical contact with the SF Bay and coast environments to help cultivate their natural sense of curiosity, enrich their understanding of science, and foster a responsibility to protect the environment. 

Online Group Programs | Marine Science Institute 

Marine Science Institute is here to support teachers and parents by offering engaging, online group lessons that bring science to life! MSI Online Inland Voyages are interactive, inquiry-based programs taught by expert marine science educators, bringing the wonder of local marine habitats of the San Francisco Bay and Northern California Coasts directly to your students. Exploration is done completely remote, using footage from the MSI aquarium and in the field, Google Slides, Nearpod, and Zoom. Teachers may also select the virtual meeting platform if desired. 

In Person Classes | Marine Science Insitute 

Afternoon Ecology: This “afterschool” educational program is designed to foster the natural curiosity of young minds. Students learn about local habitats around San Francisco Bay while working in a team with their peers. This program has a variety of themes that can be taken either as a series or independently. Themes include Bay Area Habitats, Marine Science Exploration, and Bay vs. Ocean Animals. 

Online Classes | Marine Science Institute 

Drop In, Daily, or Once-A-Week classes available to engage and educate your Jr. marine biologist! 

Make a Donation | Marine Science Institute 

Your investment in Marine Science Institute helps educate more than 60,000 people of all ages each year in marine science and environment stewardship through our School Programs, Family Events, Marine Science Camps, and Coastal Clean-Up Days. 

Public Events | Marine Science Institute 

Find and register for upcoming events at the Marine Science Institute.

California Environmental Literacy Initiative (CAELI) 

CAELI, led by Ten Strands, works statewide with guidance from a leadership council to create systems change in support of environmental literacy with a focus on access, equity, and cultural relevance for all students. 

News and Events

Zoolab: Naturetown
Jun. 01, 2021 Brent Culture Service

Join ZooLab for a session to learn about how you can help your local environment.

Biodiversity and Climate Crisis Summit – On the road to COP26
Jun. 03, 2021 United Nations Association Climate and Oceans

Come and join us at this important event where we will have a local and global dialogue between the general public, Scientists, and representatives of different UK Government Agencies, such as the Environment Agency, Natural England, Sussex Inshore Fisheries, and Conservation Authority.

Take Action Against Invasive Species! webinar
Jun. 10, 2021 Nimbus Fish Hatchery

Find out what an invasive species is and how to fight back against their spread.

Outdoor Learning Case Study: Park Day School
May 18, 2021 Ten Strands

Karen Cowe, Ten Strands’ CEO, and Linda Livers, Ten Strands’ consultant, interviewed three staff members of the Park Day School in Oakland, California: Angela Taylor, head of school; Jennifer Cooper, facilities manager; and Josie Shapiro, director of admissions.

Combating carbon emissions with soil microbes
May 20, 2021 EHN

A new study highlights the relationship between seasonal climate variability and soil microbial communities.

SDGs: Greater urgency needed to meet environmental goals, improved data likely key
May 22, 2021 UN News

Countries are on track to miss the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) relating to environmental protection, two UN entities warn in a new report issued on Saturday to coincide with the International Day for Biological Diversity.

Pressure builds for schools to put climate change study on curriculum
May 26, 2021 Reuters

MIDDLE EAST – International bodies and pressure groups are calling for climate change studies to become a standard part of the school curriculum worldwide, saying the step is vital to reach targets on cutting greenhouse gas emissions.

In California, extreme heat and ozone pollution hit poor communities hardest
May 26, 2021 National Geographic

A new study identifies places in the state where the climate-intensified health risks are linked.

In South Africa, a zero-waste food bus hopes to drive away hunger
May 27, 2021 World Economic Forum

When Sidney Beukes got his bus driver’s license, he never imagined himself behind the wheel of a 40-year-old school bus that has been turned into a mobile grocery store serving low-income residents of Johannesburg…

International Energy Agency Unveils Ambitious Roadmap to Net Zero Emissions By 2050
May 27, 2021 Earth.org

In a new report, the International Energy Agency (IEA) says that to achieve net-zero emissions, all new investments in fossil fuel projects must be ended. It calls for the rapid adoption of renewable energy and a research and development program to develop future technologies.

Copyright © Green Guardians Inc.

Q & A With Jodi Stewart | Marine Science Institute

This week, we are excited to share an interview we had with Jodi Stewart, Land Program Manager at Marine Science Institute (MSI). Jodi has her B.S. in Biology from the University of Wisconsin and Undergrad Honors Thesis from Deakin University, Australia. Prior to joining the MSI team, she worked as a wetland delineation field assistant, quality assurance lab technician, and educator for the YMCA. She has over 10 years of experience working in Environmental Education and eight years with Marine Science Institute!  

She has held many roles with MSI, from educator, development assistant, and school programs coordinator. Her current role oversees all land-based and online programs. Land-based programs include field trips to MSI, field trips to the coast, and in-school visits. She is the collaborative representative for local community partnerships and is the lead for NGSS documentation. 

Check out our interview below as we discuss the background of Marine Science Institute, its program offerings, and how you can get involved! 

Tell us about Marine Science Institute. 

Marine Science Institute is a nonprofit based in Redwood City. It started in 1970 with the main mission to get people out and to have hands-on access to the San Francisco Bay. Before that, there were not many experiences like ours for students. That’s really who we cater to – students during the school year. We also have a pretty strong summer camp where students in kindergarten through high school participate in our programs.  

Why is it important for students to have hands-on learning experiences? 

It’s important because it gets them excited and curious! Hands-on, in-person experiences help reach students across language barriers. Their participation with school-based hands-on learning also helps bridge gaps with students who might not have the opportunity on their own. This is a safe space for students to have hands-on access, get curious, and have their questions answered! It’s a great way to get them excited, and when they are excited, they care, and they want to help protect this special place.  

Photo Courtesy of Marine Science Institute

What goes into the design and creation of MSI’s curriculum and learning experiences? 

The main things we use in our curriculum are the habitats and animals that are right here. We are keeping it a local experience to tie in these overarching themes. This is something the teachers can pick when they’re coming to our classes – they might choose a program that focuses on food webs, and so during the program, we’re able to tie that into every single activity. Some other common themes are biodiversity, adaptations, and we can even go through the scientific theory of making a hypothesis, collecting data, and having students practice providing and presenting that data. 

What have traditionally been some of your most popular programs? Why? 

Our flagship program is the Discovery Voyage, that’s how we got started, with our boat. Our current boat, Robert G. Brownlee, was not our first ship.  Previous to Robert G. Brownlee we had an old WWII ship, the Inland Seas, that we would take kids out on! The program today is very similar, the students operate the equipment and go through stations, learning about the benthos, plankton, hydrology, and Ichthyology. We have had kids and parents come by and recollect their experiences with us. All of our experiences are memorable, but the boat really hits home because you’re on the water and that’s just a different experience. 

Photo Courtesy of Erick Lee Pictures

The boat program is grade-dependent, though. If you’re under 4th grade you can’t go on the boat, so we have a land-based program that mirrors that, so that is especially popular for 3rd grade. But if there is a transportation barrier and kids can’t come out, we also have programs that take our animals to the classroom so that they are still getting a hands-on experience with these habitats. They may not be able to go out to the rocky shore if they live in Antioch, so we are happy to bring those animals to them.  

How has MSI and its offerings changed over the past year? What will this look like moving forward? 

When the pandemic first started, we didn’t have much for online programming. Our focus has been on in-person, hands-on experiences. The last year has given us the chance to flex our wings and try some new things. Our online programs were introduced because of COVID-19 restrictions and the virtual learning schools offered for the fall. We mirror our programs during an online lesson with videos of our animals from our aquarium, out in the field, and footage from local habitats. We provide the experience in a different way. The programs are still inquiry-based so it’s asking them those questions about their observations and previous knowledge so we can build upon it. We’ve also expanded our reach. Thanks to online education, we’ve even been able to reach students all over California, the US, and Asia!  

We’ve offered some extensions of our programming this last year. We were able to offer more to homeschool students since they are not tied to the same online schedules that public school students are. We have increased our homeschool reach, as well as after school, offering programs on a weekly drop-in basis. We have also been able to expand our public programs for families, so we extended a younger program during the week, and offer more family trips on the weekends.  

Moving forward, it’s so unknown. I think teachers are planning to bring kids out on field trips, but I know there are some hoops we will need to figure out. We are planning on keeping mask requirements right now to keep everyone comfortable. I think there is room for online education in the future, but I don’t know what that looks like – it could be an add-on or a standalone option. Another thing to consider is wildfire season, homeschool/pod groups shifting to online learning, and continue to monitor changes to public health with COVID-19.  

How does MSI partner with districts and schools?  

We are in quite a few different partnerships or collaborations. We are working with San Francisco Unified School District, San Mateo COE, Santa Clara COE, so we are partnering with their organizations to provide a uniform approach to getting kids to experience something since some teachers may need additional support. We partner with a few schools that way, and through other collaborations, we’re working more closely with Mountain View Whisman School where every 4th and 5th-grade student gets an experience either through the classroom or on a field trip. Same with the East Palo Alto Charter School. In this collaboration, we make sure we reach every grade. Our partnership depth varies for each collaboration, but we are in overarching partnerships to hopefully get those programs out there.  

Do you often have repeat students for your programs? 

One partnership I forgot to mention is with John F. Kennedy Middle School in Redwood City, and we see every student from the 6th grade for the entire school year. They go and collect data and then compare data between different seasons. We are able to do that work through a specific grant. A lot of our programs are one-time programs. We could provide some type of experience multiple times, they would see for a program – such as an in the classroom, a field trip, and a final in-classroom program – like a bookended type of program. We mostly see the same teachers every year, and we are incorporated into their curriculum. 

Photo Courtesy of Marine Science Institute

What has been the response of the community? 

Overall, the community has been super supportive. I was touched by the donations that we received from canceled camp registrations where a lot of people opted to donate their registration fees rather than receive a refund. That was incredibly moving. 

Schools have embraced the online programs because that is what we needed to do, and feedback from teachers has been super appreciative of what we are offering and the level of education that the kids are receiving from the programs.  

What’s been the most memorable experience at MSI over the past year? 

The outpouring of support when our ship needed emergency maintenance was very memorable for me. The boat couldn’t run, we had to pull it out.  We have the scheduled maintenance built into our budget for every other year and an emergency haul-out is quite expensive. That was the most memorable moment, being able to come together and have that support. 

Also, a fun animal that we caught, which I think was the first documented bat ray in San Francisco Bay that was an albino! That was quite a memorable catch. 

Photo Courtesy of Marine Science Institute

How can the community best support the work MSI is doing? 

All of it! Becoming aware of who we are, word of mouth is definitely the biggest way people hear about us – through family recommendations for camp, through teacher recommendations – so there’s that part of it. What families can do is to join us on a weekend out on the boat or in our canoes, or even go out tide pooling. That is a way we can inspire their students, getting them outside. A lot of the time the students coming out are already engaged, and they are excited about it so we’re able to help them to deepen their knowledge and get more excited about it. 

We also have volunteer opportunities for people, as well as corporate groups that are welcome to volunteer on our site. Even if it’s just pulling weeds, it helps so much to have these volunteers or corporate groups come. 

As we are a non-profit we do rely on funding and donations heavily for our programs to survive so if you’re unable to come out, donations are always appreciated. 

PHOTO CREDIT: Erick Lee Productions

Relevant Links 

CAELI Community Based Partner Hub | Marine Science Institute 

Check out the Marine Science Institute on the California Environmental Literacy Initiative (CAELI) Community-Based Partner Hub hosted by Ten Strands and CAELI, and powered by Green Guardians. The Hub links the K–12 school system with environmental education community-based partners and promotes environmental literacy work across California.

Marine Science Institute 

The Marine Science Institute provides engaging and interactive hands-on adventures with San Francisco Bay Area marine life. Led by a team of expert marine science educators, these experiences impact students of all ages, inspiring respect, and stewardship for the marine environment.  

Academy @ Home for Pod Groups | Marine Science Institute 

Each session students will spend their time learning about Marine Science. This program is designed for learning pod groups and is brought to the home/site of that group. Students will observe live animals found in San Francisco Bay and Northern California Coastal habitats each day. Students will learn marine science concepts through hands-on activities that further their understanding of the Scientific Method. 

In Person Group Programs | Marine Science Institute 

The Marine Science Institute provides a scientific experience built on California standards-based activities and a memorable voyage into nature for students of all economic backgrounds. The Marine Science Institute puts students in physical contact with the SF Bay and coast environments to help cultivate their natural sense of curiosity, enrich their understanding of science, and foster a responsibility to protect the environment. 

Online Group Programs | Marine Science Institute 

Marine Science Institute supports teachers and parents by offering engaging, online group lessons that bring science to life! MSI Online Inland Voyages are interactive, inquiry-based programs taught by expert marine science educators, bringing the wonder of local marine habitats of the San Francisco Bay and Northern California Coasts directly to your students.

In Person Classes | Marine Science Insitute 

Afternoon Ecology: This “afterschool” educational program is designed to foster the natural curiosity of young minds. Students learn about local habitats around San Francisco Bay while working in a team with their peers. This program has a variety of themes that can be taken either as a series or independently. Themes include Bay Area Habitats, Marine Science Exploration, and Bay vs. Ocean Animals. 

Online Classes | Marine Science Institute 

Drop In, Daily, or Once-A-Week classes available to engage and educate your Jr. marine biologist! 

Make a Donation | Marine Science Institute 

Your investment in Marine Science Institute helps educate more than 60,000 people of all ages each year in marine science and environment stewardship through our School Programs, Family Events, Marine Science Camps, and Coastal Clean-Up Days. 

Public Events | Marine Science Institute 

Find and register for upcoming events at the Marine Science Institute.

California Environmental Literacy Initiative (CAELI) 

CAELI, led by Ten Strands, works statewide with guidance from a leadership council to create systems change in support of environmental literacy with a focus on access, equity, and cultural relevance for all students. 

Copyright © Green Guardians Inc.