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:
- 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.
K – 5 Labs and Demonstrations Offered by SCMI
* = At SCMI site
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.
* Bioassay Lab
Study the interactions of living organisms with their abiotic environment.
* 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. Contact the staff at SCMI for more information. (310) 519-3172.
6-8 Labs and Demonstrations Offered by SCMI
* = At SCMI site
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 physical and chemical aspects of the world’s oceans.
* 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.
9- 12 Labs and Demonstrations Offered by SCMI
* = At SCMI site
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. Contact the staff at SCMI for more information (310) 519-3172.