• School Programs
• Teacher Training
• Wildlife Cruises
• Lectures

Education Programs
for Schools and Youth Groups

Classes at PTMSC are known for the unique, hands-on experiences they provide students, encouraging active participation, careful observation, critical thinking and reflection. Our classes are adjusted to grade level EALRs and the learning needs of your students. We offer programs in an exciting range of topics, shown below. For information on Arranging Your Program scroll to the bottom of this page.
Marine Fish and Invertebrates Life on a Rocky Shore, grades 1-3 Crab Lab, grades 3-4 Tails to Scales, grades 4-5 Introduction to Invertebrates , grades 4-8 Inquiry into Barnacles, grades 4-8 Plankton Lab, grades 4-12 Plankton and the Marine Food Web, grades 5-12 Herring Dissection, grades 6-8 Habitats and Life Cycles, grades 6-12 Invertebrate Diversity , grades 9-12
Marine Birds and Mammals Birds of Shore and Sea, grades 4-5 The Gray Whale, grades 4-12 Puget Sound Marine Birds, grades 6-12 Marine Mammal Comparative Anatomy, grades 8-12
Earth Science Topics Stone Stories, grades 2-3 Beaches of the Past, grades 4-5 Sandlab, grades 4-12 Reading the Rocks, grades 4-5 Earthquake!, grades 4-5 Seismic Waves, grades 6-8 Fossils and Geologic Time, grades 6-12 Secrets of a Beach, grades 6-12
Low Tide Beach Investigations Exploring Marine Habitats, grades 2-3 High tide, Low Tide, grades 4-5 Low Tide Investigation, grades 6-12 Beach Transect, grades 6-12
Marine and Aquatic Ecosystems Plankton and the Marine Food Web, grades 5-12 Plastics in the Marine Environment, grades 5-12 Habitats and Life Cycles, grades 6-12 Exploring Water Quality, grades 6-12 Secrets of a Beach, grades 6-12 Aquatic Ecosystems, grades 8-12
Scientific Inquiry Sink or Float? grades 2-3 Inquiry into Barnacles, grades 4-8 Inquiry and the Scientific Process, grades 8-12 Aquatic Ecosystems, grades 8-12

Arranging Your Program

Time of Year

Programs for groups can be arranged for any time of year, but please be advised that late spring is our busiest season and we may not be able to accommodate all groups wishing to come at that time. You might consider scheduling your programs at other times of the year.

Group Size and Multiple Classes

Most of our programs have a maximum group size of 26 students, although some require a smaller group size because of the nature of the activity.  We occasionally make exceptions to this rule, but please understand that we can offer a better experience for your students when group sizes are small.

We can usually accommodate 3-4 groups at a time.

Over-night Accommodations

Consider spending 2-5 days at the Port Townsend Marine Science Center for more in-depth programming.  Fort Worden State Park offers dormitory-style housing, meals in the new Commons or delivered to field sites, a hostel, snack shop and campground. Details are available at www.olympus.net/ftworden/ or by calling (360) 344-4435.

For Questions or to Schedule a Program

Email us at info@ptmsc.org or call us at 360-385-5582 or 1-800-566-3932.