Mobilizing The Next Generation of Marine Scientists
The Marine Mammal Center inspires students to become marine science enthusiasts. Our programs connect students with science through charismatic marine mammals and provide professional development for classroom teachers.
All programs are aligned or connected with Next Generation Science Standards and the Common Core Curriculum. We believe every student can benefit from expanded ocean and conservation literacy.
For Middle-Schoolers
Our award-winning programs provide teachers with curriculum, resources and professional development throughout the academic year.
Bring Your Students to Our Hospital
Enhance your curriculum with an interactive school tour of our hospital in Sausalito, California. Our guided tours focus on the Center's mission and work, including topics such as what we feed our patients to how we diagnose diseases. All of our school programs align with the Next Generation Science Standards.
Life By a Whisker Education Guides
These in-depth teacher guides for upper elementary and middle school students were created to accompany the “Sea Lions: Life by a Whisker” IMAX film.
This feature-length film documents the story of Australian sea lions and Dirk Holman – a marine scientist who monitors the native sea lion population along Australia’s southern coast.
The film highlights the mission of The Marine Mammal Center as a model for global marine mammal conservation, and documents Holman's visit to the Center to acquire new skillsets and knowledge to bring back home.
These free, comprehensive educator guides are designed to complement the film experience, and have been designed for learners in grades 3-5 and grades 6-8. Each guide comes with a digital version and a print version.
Growing Up on Ice Education Guide
This free, comprehensive Educator Guide is designed for educators to integrate with their classroom learning and is connected with Next Generation Science Standards and Ocean Literacy Principles for learners in grades 6-8.
The Growing Up on Ice project is a collaborative study of Weddell seal development in some of the harshest environments on our planet.
In addition to partnering on the research project in Antarctica, the Growing Up on Ice research team and award-winning educators from The Marine Mammal Center have come together to translate the experiences and data from this research into a hands-on learning journey for middle school classrooms.
High School Programs
Monk Seal Moʻolelo
Monk Seal Moʻolelo is an engaging and interactive classroom program that empowers fourth-grade students to become champions for the conservation of Hawaiian monk seals while expanding their knowledge and sense of environmental stewardship.
This one-hour program, presented by The Marine Mammal Center's education staff at Ke Kai Ola, provides young learners the opportunity to explore past seal patient stories to better understand the challenges monk seals face in the wild and their own roles in ocean conservation.
Seal Stories
Seal Stories was a live program developed for upper elementary teachers and their students in Hawaiʽi. The session recordings and educator guide are now available for all audiences.
During each virtual session, you and your students will meet experts from The Marine Mammal Center and hear stories about Hawaiian monk seals throughout the Hawaiian archipelago. Together, you'll learn about the threats to this endangered species and the many ways you can help through everyday actions.
Each session will also include a call to action and follow-up classroom activity. Session information and follow-up activities are connected to Ocean Literacy Principles and upper elementary Next Generation Science Standards.
Looking for More Resources?
Created by the Center’s award-winning educators, these virtual activities and curriculum materials help guide youth of all ages to learn more about marine mammal health, science and conservation.
Have Questions?
We're happy to help. For school programs in California, contact us at learn@tmmc.org. For school programs in Hawai‘i, contact us at eduHI@tmmc.org.