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.

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 on the island are lead by Department staff with the help of volunteers from the Newport Bay Friends and Naturalists. Many of the classes involve several stations including an investigation of plankton, animals living in the mud, the watershed, birds and water quality. Classes can be customized depending on the needs of the professor and students. Please call 949-640-9956 for more information.

California Coastal Commission

The California Coastal Commission is seeking high school science teachers to pilot their new activity guide. Developed around State Science Standards, the guide includes activities that introduce the watershed concept, wetland values and human impacts by teaching about biology, ecology, chemistry, and genetics-- using Upper Newport Bay as a specific, place-based example. Field trips are included by not required. Contact Kristina Finstad at 949-640-0286 or kfinstad@coastal.ca.gov for more information.

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.