Mission Statement: O'Neill Sea Odyssey provides a free, hands-on educational experience to encourage the protection and preservation of our living sea and communities. The O'Neill Sea Odyssey program is rooted in the belief that students learn from experiences, and that the best way to inspire students to protect the ocean environment is for them to experience it firsthand. OSO serves primarily low-income 4-6th grade students from underserved populations. Our program consists of a sailing trip on the Monterey Bay, aboard the Team O'Neill catamaran, and has a three-station format: Marine Biology, Marine Ecology, and Navigation. During the trip, students take samples, use scientific and navigational tools, and take scientific data. After the boat trip, there are follow up lessons in our shoreside education center and lab. The OSO program is free to all participants, but all students must perform a community service project to earn their trip.