Avila Beach
Discovery Lab
Discovery Lab programs take place at our facility and allow teachers to choose from a variety of fun and informative marine science lessons (see list below). Following each Discovery Lab, students explore the aquarium, which includes touching a selection of our rocky intertidal species.
Discovery Labs are 45min – 1 hour in length, extended program options available.
Single or multiple labs can be booked. Explore our options below!
Please contact education@centralcoastaquarium.com with questions or specific program needs.
DISCOVERY LAB PROGRAMS BY GRADES
- Each Discovery Lab includes age appropriate content and activities that engage students in hands-on, interactive learning to inspire curiosity in and promote stewardship of the ocean and its inhabitants
- Aquarium exploration time is included after each Discovery Lab program
- Each program is capped at 30 students to ensure an appropriate student to instructor ratio
- Discovery Lab prices range between $10-$30 per student based on type and number of labs
- A chaperone fee of $5 per chaperone if more than five are attending
- Groups must meet a $100 minimum
*Prices are subject to change on a case by case basis
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GRADES K-2
Students are introduced to some of California’s rocky intertidal invertebrates via hands-on encounters with our touch tank animals. They make predictions about which intertidal zones animals inhabit based upon their adaptations.
Students learn about the unique adaptations of sharks through hands-on demonstrations, a take-home craft, and up-close encounters with our friendly swell sharks. They compare the form and function of different teeth and learn about what makes sharks and rays different from other fish.
Students dive into the amazing biology of marine mammals as they learn about different marine mammal groups, echolocation, staying warm underwater, and keystone species.
Students learn about the importance of plankton as global oxygen producers and essential organisms in marine food webs.They explore the physical properties of the ocean and its inhabitants by designing their own plankton models to test in a float or sink experiment.
GRADES 3 & 4
Students are introduced to some of California’s rocky intertidal invertebrates via hands-on encounters with our touch tank animals. They make predictions about which intertidal zones animals inhabit based upon their adaptations.
Students learn about the unique adaptations of sharks, what makes them different from other kinds of fish, and why they are so important as apex predators in the marine environment. They test hydrodynamics in a shark modeling experiment and receive a close-up encounter with our friendly swell sharks.
Students dive into the amazing biology of marine mammals as they learn about different marine mammal groups, echolocation, staying warm underwater, and keystone species
Students learn about the importance of plankton as global oxygen producers and essential organisms in marine food webs. They explore the physical properties of the ocean and its inhabitants by designing their own plankton models to test in a float or sink experiment.Â
Students learn about the unique adaptations of squid through a hands-on guided dissection. They explore the external and internal anatomy of these animals and learn about their importance to California’s marine fisheries.Â
Students use models and experiments to understand how pollution makes its way into our oceans and what happens to marine debris. Other activities include beach cleanups at Avila Beach to determine which kinds of pollution are most prevalent.Â
GRADES 5 & 6
Students learn about the unique adaptations of sharks, what makes them different from other kinds of fish, and why they are so important as apex predators in the marine environment. They test hydrodynamics in a shark modeling experiment and receive a close-up encounter with our friendly swell sharks.
Students learn about the importance of plankton as global oxygen producers and essential organisms in marine food webs. They explore the physical properties of the ocean and its inhabitants by designing their own plankton models to test in a float or sink experiment and may assist in a hands-on brine shrimp feeding demonstration.Â
*seasonally dependent, as the best time for sampling is in the spring and summer months
Students learn about the unique adaptations of squid through a hands-on guided dissection. They explore the external and internal anatomy of these animals and learn about their importance to California’s marine fisheries.Â
Students use models and experiments to understand how pollution makes its way into our oceans and what happens to marine debris. Other activities include beach cleanups at Avila Beach to determine which kinds of pollution are most prevalent.Â
Students become water quality scientists as they test for pH, temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen, and nutrients in water samples collected from various bodies of water. Students predict what factors may influence these variables and learn how important the ocean’s chemical balance is to support marine life.
*recommended for 6th grade classes
GRADES 7 - 12
Students dive into the amazing biology of marine mammals through a self-directed lab. Lab activities include analyzing spectrograms of marine mammal sounds, comparing and contrasting mammal skulls, and completing a fun echolocation exercise.Â
*1.5 hour lab
Students learn about the importance of plankton as global oxygen producers and essential organisms in marine food webs. They explore the diversity of plankton using microscopes and taxonomic keys to identify species.
*seasonally dependent, as the best time for sampling is in the spring and summer months
Students learn about the taxonomic classification and unique adaptations of squid through a hands-on guided dissection. They explore the external and internal anatomy of these animals and learn about their importance to California’s marine fisheries.Â
Students learn about sources of marine pollution and its impacts on marine life through interactive activities and past research studies. Following a classroom lesson, students perform a beach cleanup to investigate which kinds of pollution are most prevalent on Avila Beach.
*1-1.5 hour lab
Students become water quality scientists as they test for pH, temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen, and nutrients in water samples collected from various bodies of water. Students predict what factors may influence these variables and learn how important the ocean’s chemical balance is to support marine life.
The Marine Life Monitoring Program consists of a 2 hour exploration of the rocky intertidal. During this program, students learn about the different intertidal zones and the various adaptations of the animals that live in these zones. Following basic field sampling procedures, they investigate species diversity and abundance in the rocky intertidal environment and learn about the importance of long-term monitoring. Marine Life Monitoring Labs are $650 and have a capacity of 30 middle or high school students.
Scholarships - Coming Soon
We hope to have scholarships for the 2024-2025 school year soon.Â
The Central Coast Aquarium strives to offer some scholarship assistance for school program fees. Funds are awarded at the discretion of the Aquarium on a first-come, first-served basis until funds are exhausted.
Note:Â The following questions are included on the application. You may prepare your answers before completing the form, or you may save your form and return to it as needed.
- Please explain why your class/school is deserving of a program scholarship. (500 words max.)
- Please describe other sources of funding that you have received or are pursuing which will help cover program fees. (300 words max.)