In June 2009 The Marine Mammal Center re-opened to the public with a new hospital facility and education center. For teachers, this means brand new programs in our new community education classroom and themed tours that are age appropriate and support the California State Academic Science Standards. It is best if you make a reservation several months in advance for programs at our Center. Our programs fill quickly.
Unfortunately, we will no longer be offering our "Guided Beach Walk" or "Call to the Rescue" programs.
- Each of our programs listed below offer unique activities; they are designed to stand alone or to be combined
- All support California State Science Standards
- All involve some hands-on exploration with pelts, skulls, and other specimens.
- All tours include a guided visit through The Marine Mammal Center's state-of-the-art facility. Students view the food preparation room, chart room, science lab and animal pens, possibly seeing animal patients as well as staff and volunteers at work. As students learn how we care for our marine mammal patients, they focus on themes selected to enhance standards-based classroom learning at specific grade levels. Note: This is a hospital; the number and species of patients on view varies from season to season.
- Program length: all programs and guided tours are 1 hour in length (with the exception of Research Discovery Day that lasts 4 hours)
- Group size: One class up to 35*, including chaperones
*There will be a charge of $5 per person if the number exceeds 35.
- Rates: Schools, non-profits: $120 per one hour program or a tour ($400 for the 4-hour Research Discovery Day)
- Special rate: Schedule both a program and a guided tour on the same day for the same group and pay $200 instead of $240.
- Days and Times Available: Tuesday through Friday, and some Saturdays, at
10 AM, 11:15 AM, 1 PM, 2:15 PM and 3:30 PM
Please see the program and tour descriptions below for:
Comparing Mammals: Land and Sea
Engaging activities, video clips, and specimens help students compare land and marine mammals. They look for similarities and differences in harbor seals and humans, and explore how both move, eat, and keep warm. The class adapts a student volunteer for life in an ocean habitat, and prepares a seal (stuffed) for life on land. Students visit four stations in which they compare the features of different marine mammals, study pelts and skulls (teeth), and review ways in which they can help protect ocean habitats.
What Marine Mammals Eat
From fish milkshakes to food chains, students explore marine mammal eating habits. As they view the fish kitchen, animal pens, and other hospital facilities, students consider what marine mammals eat and the importance of getting enough food. Harbor seal skulls and pelts help students understand how whiskers and tooth shape influence what animals eat. Simulated tube feeding and rescue demonstrations bring The Center's animal care to life.
How
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Elephant Seals: Pup to Adult
Through an engaging series of discussions, video clips, short activities, and examination of specimens, students track the life cycle of the elephant seal throughout the year. They learn when the animals come ashore for breeding and molting, and how the seals live and hunt in the open ocean for months at a time. Special attention is paid to pups and weaners; students try to "beat the odds" as they act out elephant seal pups facing the challenges of their first year on land and at sea.
Marine Mammal Babies
There's a huge difference between an adult male elephant seal and an elephant seal pup-about two tons worth of difference! As students tour and learn how the hospital functions, they explore the special needs of The Marine Mammal Center's youngest patients. Patient stories, feeding demos, and seal pelts are among the tools used to help students understand how marine mammal babies compare to their parents.
How
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Moving Up the Food Chain
Students explore the ocean food web and review the roles of producers and consumers. They participate in a simulation that demonstrates how toxins introduced into the food system can become magnified in species further up the food chain (which they relate to domoic acid poisoning, an illness afflicting sea lions). A second simulation involves students in analyzing the effects on animals of ingesting trash, which often looks like food to marine mammals. Stories of successful rescues and releases enhance students' understanding that human actions can both harm and help marine mammals.
Seals, Sea Lions, and Sustenance
As students tour the hospital facility, they compare seals and sea lions and learn how to tell them apart. They hear stories of past patients, examine pelts, and discover differences in the structures, behaviors and habitats of the harbor seals and California sea lions. Students also explore the roles these pinnipeds play in ocean food webs and how trash in the ocean can endanger these animals.
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Grades K-5
Marine Mammals of California Why do over 30 species of marine mammals frequent the California Coast? Learn about the natural history and range of seals, sea lions, sea otters, whales and dolphins through a PowerPoint presentation. Students compare the lengths of different marine mammals and discover which could fit in the classroom. Pelts, skulls, baleen and other hands-on specimens engage students in active learning.
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Adventures in Anatomy
Humans and marine mammals share many similar anatomical characteristics, yet they have adapted over time to thrive in different environments. Students work in small groups to compare and contrast bones, skulls, and skeletal structures from seals, sea lions, sea otters, manatees, whales and humans.
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Marine Mammal Exploration
After a quick review of the characteristics of mammals, students rotate through five stations, working together to explore the adaptations and features of different marine mammals and formulate ways to reduce threats to marine environments. Students compare pelts and skulls, examine baleen, study structures and behaviors that help animals keep warm in the cold ocean, and assess common reasons that patients are admitted to The Marine Mammal Center for treatment.
Science in Action
Study the four primary functions of The Marine Mammal Center: rescue, rehabilitation, release and research. On this tour, students see firsthand how the hospital functions. They learn about each lab and work area, including the post-mortem lab (optional). They discover how the pens are designed to accommodate animals' different structures and behaviors and explore common causes of illness and injury in marine mammals. Patient stories, skulls, and pelts enhance the study of the different species treated at The Center.
(Includes a and
This program gives older students an in-depth look at The Marine Mammal Center's research and veterinary science techniques. Students receive a comprehensive tour of our state-of-the-art facility, discovering how the pens are designed to accommodate animals' different structures and behaviors and exploring common causes of illness and injury of our patients. hey learn how volunteers and staff prepare food for the animals and feed them. In the post-mortem and clinical lab, they will see where we collect and examine samples. Video clips enhance their understanding of animal husbandry procedures. Students rotate through five research stations: skull morphology, telemetry, radiology, hematology, and parasitology. By examining x-rays, blood samples, and parasites, students diagnose illnesses in former patients. Through skull comparisons, they explore skeletal morphology. Using tracking equipment and data, they determine the success of released patients. This unique program gives students an insight into the work of a marine biologist. Length: 4 hours. Cost $400
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to schedule a program.
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(Includes a and This program gives older students an in-depth look at The Marine Mammal Center's research and veterinary science techniques. Students receive a comprehensive tour of our state-of-the-art facility, discovering how the pens are designed to accommodate animals' different structures and behaviors and exploring common causes of illness and injury of our patients. hey learn how volunteers and staff prepare food for the animals and feed them. In the post-mortem and clinical lab, they will see where we collect and examine samples. Video clips enhance their understanding of animal husbandry procedures. Students rotate through five research stations: skull morphology, telemetry, radiology, hematology, and parasitology. By examining x-rays, blood samples, and parasites, students diagnose illnesses in former patients. Through skull comparisons, they explore skeletal morphology. Using tracking equipment and data, they determine the success of released patients. This unique program gives students an insight into the work of a marine biologist. Length: 4 hours. Cost $400
Science in Action
Study the four primary functions of The Marine Mammal Center: rescue, rehabilitation, release and research. On this tour, students see firsthand how the hospital functions. They learn about each lab and work area, including the post-mortem lab (optional). They discover how the pens are designed to accommodate animals' different structures and behaviors and explore common causes of illness and injury in marine mammals. Patient stories, skulls, and pelts enhance the study of the different species treated at The Center. Length: 1 hour
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to schedule a program.
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3 R's for Marine Mammals Enter our exciting classroom to be surrounded by marine mammal specimens. This program gives participants an in-depth look at the work of the Marine Mammal Center. You will learn about the tools and techniques used by the veterinarians and volunteers to care for our patients - from Rescue, to Rehabilitation and Release. Video clips of actual rescues, animal care, handling procedures, and releases will allow you to "experience" the sides of our work that you are not able to see on a tour. Using a seal model, you will see demonstrations of feeding and veterinary procedures; and using hands-on specimens, you will explore the differences between seals, sea lions, otters, and other marine mammals. You will examine x-ray images and marine debris entanglement from former patients, and come to understand how connected our lives are to these intelligent creatures of the sea. Our goal is that by sharing the amazing stories of our patients, your group will be more informed ocean stewards. Length: 1 hour
Lead your group through a self-guided visit of the Marine Mammal Center's public areas. Exhibits throughout the facility will inform your group about our work. Enjoy viewing seal and sea lion patients. Look into key areas such as the Fish Kitchen, Chart Room, Laboratory and Post-Mortem (optional). Depending on patient care activities you may be able to watch animal care crews in action preparing food, feeding animals, cleaning pens and working on medical charts; and see technicians doing laboratory analyses during your visit. Docents are stationed in a few places throughout our Center to answer your questions. Length: suggested 1 hour
- Group size: One class up to 35*, including chaperones. Groups will be required to break into smaller groups with a chaperone (1 adult per 6 students)
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Age level: all ages
- Days and Times Available:
- 10 AM to 5 PM Sunday and Monday
- Tuesday through Friday from 2-5 PM
- Hours vary on Saturdays
- Donation Suggested
How
to schedule a program.
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The Marine Mammal Center