The Back Bay Science Center is highly dedicated to educating the students and public of Orange County about our coastal resources, especially Upper Newport Bay. As a step towards this goal, many educational opportunities are offered on Shellmaker Island and throughout the bay. With few exceptions such as scout troups, the Science Center focuses on fourth grade through college age students for school programs. Our neighbor, the Mary and Muth Interpretive Center concentrates on toddlers through third grade students for school programs. Both facilities offer many programs for the general public. Please find the various school program opportunities throughout several organizations below and from the web menu above.

California Department of Fish and Game

The current lab facility on Shellmaker Island is managed by the California Department of Fish and Game. Many of the education programs, such as our Marine Life Inventories (MLI) are lead by Department staff with the help of volunteers from the Newport Bay Friends and Naturalists. The MLI stations involve an investigation of plankton, animals living in the mud, a small health check of marine life in our estuary, the watershed, birds and water quality. The MLI is open to the public but you must reserve a seat by calling 949-640-9956. Please check out our other educational program opportunities by selecting the appropriate education menu above.

California Coastal Commission

The California Coastal Commission's high school curriculum "Our Wetlands, Our World" provides information and activities to help high school students learn about the importance of wetlands and how to become involved in the restoration of these valuable, unique environments. It also helps bring State Content Standards to life by linking science concepts to local resources. The focus of the guide is on Upper Newport Bay in Orange County; however, much of the information is applicable to other wetland sites. You can view and download the entire curriculum by: Clicking Here For more information, please contact Matt Yurko at 949-640-0286 or myurko@coastal.ca.gov

Newport Bay Naturalists and Friends

The Newport Bay Naturalists and Friends have been conducting school field trips at Upper Newport Bay on behalf of the California Department of Fish and Game and Orange County Harbors, Beaches and Parks for more than ten years. Currently grade-specific hands-on nature education programs are offered for 3rd, 4th and 6th grades on Wednesday and Friday mornings on Shellmaker Island. For more information, please click here.