Shoreline Education
Our Shoreline Education Program brings youth to their nearest beach where they'll be immersed in hands-on marine science and stewardship activities, discovering the incredible diversity of nearshore species and the dynamic ecosystems that exist where land meets sea.
During this interactive experience, students observe marine organisms in their natural habitats and explore the impacts of human activity on coastal ecosystems, gaining a clearer understanding of challenges such as pollution, habitat disturbance, and climate change.
This program also introduces students to local research, restoration projects, and community-led initiatives, helping them connect their learning to real-world efforts happening in their own region. By highlighting the work of scientists, conservationists, and volunteers, students begin to see themselves as active participants in protecting and restoring shoreline environments.
Choose Your Own Adventure
We adapt our program to different beaches, seasons, tides, schedules, and grade levels. That means each event is unique!
We offer 4 core activities. Your event will likely include 2 or 3 of them, with groups of students rotating between each station. Depending on location, time restraints, and the size of your group, some activities may not be available. But don't worry! We'll work with you to create a unique and impactful day of learning that meets the needs of your group.
Forage Fish Spawning Survey
Students get hands-on experience completing a sediment survey in search of surf smelt and Pacific sand lance eggs. (20-30 mins)
Beach Seining
Students help PSS biologists as they collect and identify the diverse species in our nearshore waters using a seine net. (20-30 mins)
Beach Cleanup
Students work together to remove garbage from their local shoreline, learning about the most common types of pollutants. (20-30 mins)
Crab Scavenger Hunt
Students comb the beach in search of crab shells, learning how to identify them and spot invasive species. (20-30 mins)