Mondays My Way
(Monday, 10:00–11:00 AM; 11:00 AM–Noon)
Group size: maximum 80 students.
This is an opportunity for teachers to conduct investigations in the exhibit halls with their own classes. Teacher-prepared scavenger hunts, single hall studies, and special topic focus are some of the possibilities. Monday is the only week day that clipboards are allowed in the Museum.
Self-guided Tour
(Tuesday–Friday, 10:00–11:00 AM; 11:00–Noon)
Group size: maximum 80 students. May be combined with a Planetarium Program.
Outdoor Nature Explorations
(Tuesday–Friday, 10:00 AM–Noon, 2 hours)
Group size: maximum one class.
Healthy Creeks
Research teams of students observe and record the biotic and abiotic factors indicating the health of Mission Creek. Water quality testing is conducted and data collected. Students catch aquatic animals and make identifications from keys. The health of a creek can be determined by observing which aquatic insects are present or absent.
Terrestrial Insect Populations
Students sample various natural areas and collect micro-invertebrates. Using dissecting microscopes, students sort by common characteristics and determine populations within their sample area.
Planetarium Programs
(Tuesday–Friday, 10:00–11:00 AM; 11:00 AM–Noon)
May be combined with a Self-guided Tour.
Capacity: 44, including adults.
The Sun and Its Family
Students take a multimedia journey to the Sun, visit each of the planets, and explore comets and other celestial bodies before returning home to view the evening sky.
Earth’s Wild Ride
While learning about eclipses, the ice age, Earth’s water cycle, and differences between the Earth and Moon, students are taken on a roller-coaster-like ride through canyons of raging rivers and hot flowing lava.
Star Stories
Students will learn to locate the constellations of the evening sky as they learn about the mythology of the stars.
Museum reservations taken Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 1:00–5:00 PM
at 805-682-4711 ext. 107.
Self-guided Tour
(Monday–Friday, 10:00–11:00 AM; 11:00 AM–Noon)
Group size: maximum 80 students.
Sea Center reservations taken Tuesday–Friday, 1:00–5:00 PM, at 805-962-2526 ext. 108.
This limited program is available only to fourth, fifth, and sixth grade classes. Students participate in a multi-site, multi-experience program in which they discover the impact of the watershed on our coastal health. Teachers make a commitment to an in-class visit, a fieldtrip to the Sea Center, and a fieldtrip to the Museum. Funds are available for buses and admission fees.
(Tuesday–Friday, 10:00 AM–Noon, 2 hours)
Group size: maximum two classes
*Funded in part by the National Marine Sanctuary
Channel WATCH reservations taken Tuesday–Friday, 1:00–5:00 PM, at 805-962-2526 ext. 108.
