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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.
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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.
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