Science Education:

General Information

Lab and Educational Facilities

  • Two Oceangoing Research Vessels
  • Wet and Dry Laboratory
  • Indoor and Outdoor Flowing Seawater System
  • Classroom and Meeting Rooms
  • Microscopes and Video Microscopes
  • Machine Shop
  • Warehouse and Staging Area
  • Waterfront Berthing Space
  • State-of-the-Art Scientific Gear and Equipment

Courses are conducted in our own classroom, at the SCMI Terminal Island Facility, or one of the many SCMI affiliate locations.

For course schedule and cost information please contact Carrie Wolfe at (310) 519-3172

Educational Programs Available at SCMI:

All of the programs available through SCMI can be developed to focus on individual class or instructor requirements. Our staff is capable of modifying any program to tailor it to your educational needs. In all programs, the pertinence of the topic at hand is related to the larger environment in order to emphasize the interdependence of the ecological system as a whole. Our demonstration cruises collect data for an ongoing study, so the students are introduced to field research through the testing of water samples, data collection, and species identification. The following programs are a very general list of what is available to educational institutions from grade five to college level. For more information see our other educational pages, or contact us at scmi@csulb.edu!

Marine Ecology

This demonstration cruise compares the offshore environment to the inshore marine environment within the harbor in order to better demonstrate the ecological differences between the two. This demonstration allows hands on experience, and leads into the topics of pollution, food webs, niches, diversity, and ecosystems.

Oceanography

The emphasis of this program is to demonstrate ocean sampling techniques and their application. Hands-on subsampling techniques provide demonstration of the physical, biological and chemical analyses of the environment and their application to the study of oceanography.

Environmental Monitoring Program

This program has developed a 5-12 grade level marine environmental education and water quality measurement program in the southern California bight. SCMI researchers and interns train students in water pollution monitoring methodology. The goal of this program is to educate young people about natural resources and to allow them to become directly involved in monitoring their environment.

Marine Tetrapods

This demonstration cruise encompasses an overview lecture on marine mammals, birds, pinnipeds, cetaceans and sea turtles. Emphasis is placed on the vulnerability of these species, the impact of pollution and man, and the importance of conservation and protection of the environment.

Catalina Island Marine Biology

The close proximity of this island allows the comparison between the mainland and island marine environment. The lecture encompasses the natural history of fishes and invertebrates common to Catalina island, and contrast to the species composition of the mainland. The Wrigley Marine Science Center is also available for education and research.

Professional Development and Continuous Education:

Teacher Preparation Program

Preview and participate in the same activities your students will experience. The knowledge and skills gained will enable you to facilitate marine science activities right in your classroom with the assistance of an SCMI instructor.

Associate Scientist Program

  • Work side-by-side with professional scientists to gain experience in doing scientific research.
  • Teachers will be able to participate in projects associated with SCMI and affiliate institutions.
  • Teachers will learn to develop a working project proposal with the SCMI staff.
  • Focus on the application of scientific method, hypothesis development and the effective use of data management.
  • This program will be by appointment only.

Curriculum Design and Development

Tap into the myriad of resources available through SCMI to develop your own marine science activities. Work with content experts and learning consultants to design activities that will tap the energy and engage the minds of all students.

Science Teaching Techniques

Gain hands-on experience with teaching techniques that will help students develop scientific thinking processes. The use of these techniques will create an interactive student-centered learning environment in which all students can be successful.

SCMI Science Network

Participation in the SCMI network enables you to share, along with fellow teachers, successes and lessons learned from personal experience using California’s Science Framework.

MEET THE CHALLENGE OF MARINE SCIENCE FOR GRADES K-12!

Our Mission

SCMI is dedicated to providing educational, research, and commercial opportunities to all public and private entities in order to preserve marine resources for present and future generations.

Program Purpose

This program is designed to assist in achieving California’s Science Framework through the use of innovative, hands-on, practical learning activities in marine science.

Students Can Expect to:

  • Gain a deeper understanding of science and math theories through hands-on learning activities.
  • Develop a curiosity for understanding how basic scientific concepts relate to their own lives.
  • Enhance life skills including observation, communication, and analysis through the application of the scientific method in marine science.
  • Have fun with science

Teachers Can Expect to:

  • Integrate the California’s Science Framework into core curriculum.
  • Gain practical experience in using scientific methodology and instrumentation.
  • Build confidence in integrating hands-on science activities into the classroom.
  • Participate in post-course feedback and evaluation sessions.
  • Have fun with science.

Science Framework and Instructors

SCMI instructors and intercampus faculty, representing the ten member California State Universities, Occidental College, and the University of Southern California, provide the expertise necessary to meet the educational needs of this program. Additionally, SCMI interns and selected guest instructors from both the public and private sectors are available to meet special participant needs.

SCMI provided instructors work collaboratively with classroom teachers to ensure that expectations and learning objectives are mutually developed.

California Science Standards and Curriculum K - 5
Labs and Demonstrations Offered by SCMI

* = At SCMI site or vessel

Create a Fish
Children learn about inheritance and environmental adaptations through this fun and creative exercise.

Water Cycle and Weather Lab
Children study Earth’s natural plumbing and air conditioning system. The ocean and the land are connected by the forces that cause weather.

Water Lab
This lab teaches children about the different phases of water, and how important it is to our planet.

Marine Ecosystem and Food Web
A niche for everything and everything in its niche. Study the many members of the marine community and how they interact to form a food web.

Rock and Soil Lab
This lab introduces children to geology by studying local rock, sediment and soil samples.

* Plankton Lab and Photosynthesis
Floaters and drifters are our life support system! This lab studies the cycles that connect respiration and photosynthesis.

Tadpole Lab (Seasonal)
Hop into the secret life of an amphibian. Students explore the concepts of survival, growth and metamorphosis.

Wave Lab
Surf the wild waves! Study how waves act to mold coastlines.

* Bioassay Lab
Study the interactions of living organisms with their abiotic environment.

* Cell Lab - Evolution and Extinction
Living single celled marine organisms are used to illustrate adaptation and evolution through comparisons with their fossilized ancestors.

* Physical Oceanography
Learn about the forces that shape the earth through the study of the ocean’s effects on the earth’s crust.

* Marine Biology
Learn about taxonomy, adaptation and ecological interdependence using the local flora and fauna.

Animal Taxonomy
Study the adaptive structures and functions of local marine organisms, and learn how to classify organisms into their various taxonomic groups.

Special Programs
Our laboratory space, facilities, research vessels and educators are available for the development of customized programs that meet California’s Science Framework. Contact the staff at SCMI for more information. (310) 519-3172.

California Science Standards and Curriculum 6 - 8
Labs and Demonstrations Offered by SCMI
* = At SCMI site or vessel

Weather and Climate
The atmospheric cycles allow life of Earth, Study the effects of the ocean and nearby land masses on our local weather.

* Physical Oceanography
Learn about the forces that shape the Earth through the study of the ocean’s effects on the Earth’s crust on a demonstration cruise aboard a research vessel.

* Marine Geology
Learn about the forces that shape the Earth through the study of the ocean’s effects on the Earth’s crust.

Marine Ecosystem & Food Web
A niche for everything and everything in its niche. Study the many members of the marine community and how they interact to form a food web.

Animal Taxonomy
Study the adaptive structures and functions of local marine organisms, and learn how to classify organisms into their various taxonomic groups.

* Cell Lab - Evolution & Extinction
Seasonally, sea urchins may be used to illustrate the concepts of cellular reproduction.

Dissection Lab
Study marine animal organ systems and how they communicate in order to maintain life functions.

* Kelp Forest Ecology
Learn about taxonomy, adaptation and ecological interdependence using the flora and fauna of our local kelp forests.

* Primary Productivity
Floaters and drifters are our life support system! This lab studies the cycles that connect respiration and photosynthesis with emphasis on the base of the food web - plankton.

Intertidal Ecology
Study the adaptations to an ever-changing environment through our local intertidal organisms.

California Science Standards and Curriculum Grades 9 - 12
Labs and Demonstrations Offered by SCMI
* = At SCMI site or vessel

Dissolved Solids Seawater Lab
Study the physical and chemical properties of dissolved solids in our local seawater. Learn about their sources and their effects on the ecosystem.

* Marine Geology
Learn about the forces that shape the Earth through the study of the ocean’s effects on the Earth’s crust. This lab emphasizes local examples of how coastlines are built and eroded.

* Weather and Climate
The ocean and land are connected by the forces that cause weather. This lab uses basic meteorological techniques to study local weather conditions.

* Plate Tectonics
In California we are actually aware of the movement of the Earth. This course looks at the forces that underlie this movement and their effects on a local and global scale.

Pollution Impacts Ecology
Follow the pollution trail from its many sources to its absorption into the food web and its effects on the oceans near us.

Environmental Monitoring Program
Explore the effects of human pollution on our local marine environment through hands-on water quality testing, and a lesson about our effects on the oceans near us.

Marine Ecosystem & Food Web
A niche for everything and everything in its niche. Study the many members of the marine community and how they interact to form a food web.

* Cell Lab - Evolution & Extinction
Living single celled marine organisms are used to illustrate adaptation and evolution through comparisons with their fossilized ancestors.

* Kelp Forest Ecology
Learn about taxonomy, adaptation and ecological interdependence using the flora and fauna of our local kelp forests.

* Primary Productivity
This lab studies the cycles that connect respiration and photosynthesis, with emphasis on the base of the food web - phytoplankton.

* Bioassay Lab
Study the interactions of living organisms with their abiotic environment.

* Intertidal Ecology
Study the adaptations to an ever-changing environment through our local intertidal organisms.

* Taxonomy of Marine Organisms
Compare and contrast local marine representatives of the six kingdoms. This course also explores the roles of the different taxa in an ecosystem.

* Special Programs
Our laboratory space, facilities, research vessels and educators are available for the development of customized programs that meet California’s Science Framework. Contact the staff at SCMI for more information (310) 519-3172.