The Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary is managed by NOAA's Office of National Marine Sanctuaries with a variety of educational programs and opportunities in the field and at two visitors centers, of which the Exploration Center is one. The Exploration Center's mission is to connect visitors to the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. Under that larger mission, our driving goals behind our educational programs are:
Educating visitors about the sanctuary's unique and fascinating coastal and marine environment
Fostering a more personal connection with the sanctuary and the ocean's relevance in people's daily lives
Inspiring stewardship of the sanctuary and a responsible recreation in the ocean
About
Sector:
Service Area: Regional/Multi-County
Address
35 Pacific Ave
Santa Cruz CA 95060
Students divide into groups to rotate between a data collection session on the Santa Cruz Wharf, and a guided explora…
Field trips
Materials & supplies
5th Grade Students / Youth
6th Grade Students / Youth
7th Grade Students / Youth
8th Grade Students / Youth
Listen to the sounds of the sanctuary! Learn why animals use sounds underwater and how scientists study it.
4th Grade Students / Youth
5th Grade Students / Youth
Explore the world of plankton and connect these microscopic organisms to water quality and healthy ecosystems. Studen…
Direct teaching
Field trips
Materials & supplies
8th Grade Students / Youth
9th Grade Students / Youth
10th Grade Students / Youth
11th Grade Students / Youthmore...
During the field portion of your trip, students will divide into three groups and head across the street to the Santa…
8th Grade Students / Youth
9th Grade Students / Youth
During the field portion of your trip, students head across the street to the beach and take part in a scientific bea…
5th Grade Students / Youth
6th Grade Students / Youth
7th Grade Students / Youth
8th Grade Students / Youthmore...
During the field portion of your trip, students head across the street to the beach to collect “plant like” things,…
3rd Grade Students / Youth
Learn how water travels from land to sea and the importance of water quality entering the sanctuary.
4th Grade Students / Youth
5th Grade Students / Youth
Take a virtual dive in Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary kelp forests. Learn about some of the animals that call…
3rd Grade Students / Youth
4th Grade Students / Youth
Dive deep! Learn how scientists explore the deep sea. Take a virtual trip to the Monterey Submarine Canyon, Davidson …
4th Grade Students / Youth
5th Grade Students / Youth
 Please select the district(s) your located in. Used this map for reference.