Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) exist around the world to protect some of our oceans’ most vulnerable and biodiverse places. San Diego is home to MPAs where marine mammals, tide pool creatures, kelp forests, and marshland animals have a chance to thrive. Join us to learn more about MPAs and how to enjoy these protected areas.

Something transformative happens when a diver dons a mask, snorkel, tank and fins to enter the underwater world of the ocean. This virtually-immersive adventure teaches students about the equipment and skills needed to experience the world beneath the waves as a snorkler or a diver. Basic concepts in the physics and physiology behind diving are explained, as well as steps involved in becoming a citizen scientist or a scientific researcher. New technologies, like rebreathers that allow humans to go deeper and stay down longer than ever before, will be introduced.

Top ocean predators including orcas, sharks, sea lions and sea otters give us important clues to the health of our oceans…if you know where to look. We follow exciting research that studies different predator-prey interactions, exploring how these dynamic exchanges occur in the complex food web. Together we will see how scientists use new computer modeling programs to understand fish populations around the world.

This special three-part course takes students on a deep dive into the lives of our Southern California Marine Mammals! While each stand-alone field trip offered above meets common core standards and offers a wonderful introduction to the topic, this special three-session course provides a more in-depth understanding of our Southern California Marine Mammals. The first class is an introduction to marine mammals, who they are, and how they evolved. Our second class is all about seals and sea lions, our changing ocean climate, and what we can do to help marine mammals survive and thrive in Southern California. Our third class is about mysterious whales! Students will learn about whale migration patterns, how the largest animals on the planet live in all the world’s oceans communicating through complex and beautiful sounds, and how they interact with one another and other cetaceans. Imagine life as a marine mammal through movement exercises, sounds, videos, and stories presented throughout the classes. Asynchronous activities are available for teachers to prepare students for each class and provide follow-up opportunities.  (This three-session course must be completed within a three-week timeframe.)

Dive into the underwater realm of big, bold, beautiful breath-holders. From sassy sea lions that bark incessantly, to the majestic whales that sing and click as they pass our shores, La Jolla provides the perfect venue for viewing many species of ocean-dwelling mammals brimming with their own individual personalities. Discover how echolocation and acoustic communication are used to help mammals adapt to life in the oceans. Hear the heartwarming story of J.J. the Orphaned Baby Gray Whale’s rescue and her eventual release to the ocean.

Imagine sailing, surfing, swimming, snorkeling, or diving through plastic garbage. As the plastic problem grows in our oceans, so too does the need for our awareness to grow. Students will learn about the plastic gyres in the ocean, the problems plastic causes for marine life, and ways to help stop this problem from growing bigger. Students will be empowered to create solutions that they can do in their own communities.

How is climate change affecting seals in our kelp forests and their cousins in the Arctic Circle? Discover how local harbor seals use their sandy beach habitats to lounge in the sun, give birth and nurse their young. We discuss why the seas are warming, both here and for ice-loving harp seals in the north, and how this disrupts age-old routine behaviors for many of the seal species. We compare and contrast resulting challenges and surprising adaptations, followed by a discussion about the possible outcomes of climate change on the future of these seals.

Investigate our local tidepool universe! Meet the diverse cast of characters, known as marine invertebrates, who live there and explore the challenges they face. Discover how and why they are divided into taxonomic groups. Learn about dynamic intertidal zones to determine the best times and tides to visit local tidepools. Students can participate in a follow-up scavenger hunt featuring creatures found on THE MAP of the Grand Canyons of La Jolla, in-person or on our interactive website.

What is a Whale Really Worth? In a complicated world where species stand on the edge of extinction, how do we calculate their value to us? In this field trip students will experience how intertwined our survival is to other living creatures. Systems thinking will be used to see the interconnections among diverse species in the ocean. Students will learn to use science to quantify the value of a whale, which will enable them to speak to community leaders to enact change.