My Nonprofit Reviews

The Marine Science Institute is a very important community partner on the peninsula. Their field trips are designed for the Next Generation Science Standards and provide students with wonderful local phenomena and hands-on experiences that help them become better stewards of the environment. MSI is also helping teachers transition to the Next Generation Science Standards. I greatly appreciate all they do.

I first became aware of the Marine Science Institute as a parent. My family used to attend the Earth Day celebration and was lucky enough to go out on the Robert G. Brownlee. My kids were delighted to see all the creatures that live in the bay. Pulling in the net and making the mud grab made them feel like scientists and adventurers. When I returned to teaching, I was delighted to see that MSI was working with local schools to learn about and teach the Next Generation Science Standards. The educational experiences offered through MSI are a very valuable part of student learning, but also fun. Now I am a science coach for my district. I am recommending all the teachers look into field trips, classroom visits and collaboration with the Marine Science Institute.

My 4th graders took the most amazing field trip to Pescadero Beach last year where they were met by docents from the Marine Science Institute. The program is titled Marshes and Beaches but it is so much more. They learned many concepts that are important in the Next Generation Science Standards. The students observed internal and external structures that allow species to survive in specific envronments. They observed the layers of the rock in the cliffs as evidence of changes over time. They looked at human impact on the area and so much more. The hands on activities were exciting for the students and kept them engaged even with the competition from the gorgeous scenery and enticing water. It is now on my must-do field trip list.