Arthropods All-Around (Grade 1)
Arthropods are all around, just waiting to be observed by bug-eyed scientists. With microscopes and magnifying glasses, the small world of arthropods will come alive.
Beaks and Feet (Grade 1)
Come soar into the world of birds and find out what structures they have to help them survive. Students will get to experiment with “beaks” and learn to use binoculars.
Crawling Crabs (Grade K)
Come crawl into the world of crabs and other crustacean relatives. Learn about adaptations with fun hands-on exploration. Students will enjoy touching and observing crustacean molts and live crabs.
Eat, Don’t Get Eaten (Grades 6 – 8)
This program is a perfect introduction to everything ecology. Come be challenged by the delicate balance of an ecological food web that must overcome disasters, natural and man-made alike.
Food Chain Hunt (Grades 3 – 5)
Kickstart your ecology knowledge with a fun exploration of the Sweetwater Marsh Refuge. What better way to study ecology, than become an ecologist yourself? Students will study important aspects of ecology such as adaptations, predator-prey relations, and the recycling of organic matter. Then, students will apply their new knowledge by looking for evidence of different animal species while hiking the trails around the refuge.
Perfect Pollinators (Grade 2)
What could be more perfect than learning about pollinators in a living garden? They’ll get hands-on with pollination and discover its importance to native species. Through fun, interactive role-play, the students will get hands-on with the entire pollination sequence!
Slithering Snakes (Grade K)
Slither yourself into the world of reptiles. Learn, through hands-on exploration, the adaptations that make snakes a successful predator. Students will get to have an up-close encounter with a snake.
Watershed Chemistry (Grades 6 – 8)
Students will visit a local wetland to sample current conditions. Learn the importance of variables such as salinity, pH, turbidity, and oxygen when it comes to monitoring the health of an ecosystem!
AWE Chemistry! (Grades 9 – 12)
Students will visit a local wetland to sample current conditions. Learn the importance of variables such as salinity, pH, turbidity, and oxygen when it comes to monitoring the health of an ecosystem!
Budding Botanist (Grade 1)
Dig into the world of plant adaptations. An engaging lab, where students will get to practice their observation skills and study the leaves of real native plants found right here on the marsh!
Crustacean Lab (Grade 3)
Ever wonder what it means to be a crab? Get up close with crabs, lobsters, and other crustaceans as you explore the world of arthropods. From exoskeletons to real live animal encounters, students will learn what it means to be a marine invertebrate. Your students will be excited about their crabbing adventures and all that they learned in the crustacean lab.
Fish Dissection (Grades 3 – 12)
Through a fishy and fun dissection, students will compare what parts of a fish are similar or different to humans. Fish provide an excellent model for scientific exploration and comparison of vascular systems.
Looking for a higher level dissection? Jr. Ichthyologist is designed for High School students to dissect a fish and learn how humans can impact fish and their environment.
Footprints on the Marsh (Grade 2)
Tread lightly – our impact can be bigger than we think. Students will get to observe with binoculars native birds and their local habitat. Students will record and tally different species for comparison.
Shark’s Tale (Grade 3)
Students will become shark experts on local species and may even get to meet a shark up close! This interactive lab teaches students about the many adaptations these top predators have to survive.
Squid Dissection (Grades 3 – 12)
Students will learn about the internal and external parts that help a squid survive its ocean habitat. From three hearts to a reduced shell, the squid is a fascinating mollusk to scientifically study.
Looking for a higher level dissection? Where’s My Shell is designed for High School students to dissect a squid and learn where a squid falls in the taxonomic classification and its ancestors.
Additional programs:
Hooterific (Grade TK)
Learn about the unique adaptations an owl has to help it survive. Students will learn about the beak, feathers, and wings as they dress up a classmate. And your class is sure to have a hooterific time meeting one of our owl ambassadors through this program!
Move It! (Grade TK)
Animals slither, swim, jump, and fly in very interesting ways. Students will learn about local animals that call San Diego home. Through fun dance moves and up-close animal encounters, children will walk away knowing how to crawl like a tortoise and slither like a snake.
Totally Tidepools (Grade TK)
Students will learn about tidepools as a habitat and the animals that live there. Through up-close animal encounters, they will learn about their adaptations and how they can survive life on the rocks.