Ocean Institute 5th Grade Science Curricula
Since 2005
We believe that one key to successfully preserving and protecting our oceans lies in our ability to educate and teach future generations about the importance of ocean stewardship and environmental protection.
Since 2005, Miocean has been supporting a two (2) day science curriculum on the effect of urban pollution on our coastal waters, which is taught in 5th grade Science classes throughout Orange County.
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The Back Bay Science Center and Laboratory
Completed 2008
The former Back Bay Water Quality Testing Lab consisted of temporary trailers that were undersized and insufficient for its operations. The equipment and infrastructure were outdated, and water quality research capabilities were extremely limited.
Miocean partnered with the City of Newport Beach and the California Department of Fish and Game to create a $6 million campus of County featuring a state-of-the-art ocean testing laboratory and educational facilities on Shellmaker Island in the Newport Upper Bay.
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Sponsored Education Programs
Chapman University Watershed Certificate Program (2011)
The Hoag Center for Real Estate and Finance and Schmid College of Science partnered with Miocean and Coastkeeper to offer a multi-faceted program on watershed management. Offered twice previously to rave reviews, the 6 week certificate program is back by popular demand and features sessions led by top environmental scientists and policy experts from Chapman University, water board representatives, environmental engineers, and county, city, and community representatives. The program is intended for the local water resources community, developers, consultants, lawyers, civil servants, and everyone interested in the current and future state of the Southland's water resources.
The program begins with an overview of California's watershed issues and proceeds to an examination of the science of watersheds, policy and political issues, the regulatory environment, and implications for land development. The program concludes with an included luncheon and offsite field trip. Sessions are held on Chapman's beautiful campus in Orange with refreshments provided.
For more information, please visit http://www.watershed.chapman.edu
Pretend City Diorama (2009)
Urban runoff is considered the single greatest source of pollution in our oceans. Unfortunately, no one is exempt from responsibility; we all contribute to the problem, since urban runoff is a direct result of the actions we take in our own watersheds.
In order to help illustrate our personal role in contributing to urban runoff, Miocean has pledged to fund a full-scale educational experience in partnership with Pretend City, The Children's Museum.
Plans call for building an urban watershed working model as part of the Pretend City Diorama, which each year will help up to 150,000 children ages 2-8 experience enhanced interaction and educational experiences.
Wyland Foundation Clean Water Mobile Classroom (2008)
Urban runoff is considered the single greatest source of pollution in our oceans and is a direct result of the actions we make in our own watersheds.
Miocean partnered with marine life artist Wyland to sponsor a 53-foot mobile classroom with touch-friendly interactive exhibits, in a unique educational setting that unites art and science with a focus on clean water issues and watersheds.
The mobile classroom, which travels to schools and special events throughout Southern California, was especially designed to educate children in grades 4-7, and accommodates up to 300 students per day. An estimated 6,000 students experience this unique learning program each year.
SIO Birch Aquarium Watershed Pilot Project (2009)
Urban runoff is considered the single greatest source of pollution in our oceans and is a direct result of the actions we make in our own watersheds. Unfortunately, ocean pollution does not stop at municipal borders.
Miocean is collaborating with Scripps Institution of Oceanography to extend its successful Orange County Ocean Institute educational model into San Diego. The Watershed Pilot project, featuring a "watershed educational experience," will be provided for elementary/middle school students at San Diego schools that are under-represented in the sciences.
More than 420 upper elementary students from 4 local schools will participate in the pilot project, which focuses on "hands on" interactive learning modules with follow-up assessments and activities related to watershed protection. Miocean also will support the further expansion of this into additional San Diego-area schools.
