A field trip may not be in your plans, but now some PTMSC programs can come to you.
The following classroom experiences will:
- Provide a deeper dive into science content with engaging activities
- Connect your students to PTMSC instructors and resources
- Inspire them to learn more about the marine environment
- Address NextGen science standards and Ocean Literacy
Even if you can’t come to the beach, we can bring the Salish Sea to you.
General information
Programs
- Program cost, each class – $300
- Travel fee
- Within a 15-mile radius of PTMSC – $30
- An additional fee may be assessed for trips involving ferry transit
- Special arrangements may be made for schools outside of our regular travel zone. Please contact us for information and pricing.
- Prices are subject to change without notice
- Class length – 60 minutes
- All options involve either dynamic games to bring concepts to life, and/or real specimens from our collection here at PTMSC
- All our classes for students support Next Gen Science Standards and ocean literacy
- The appropriate grade-level range is provided below for each class, and can be further tailored for the specific grade level of your students
- Scholarships are available. See the Financial Aid page for more information
- This winter we are offering Lonely Abalone and Sea Star Gazing completely tuition free for 3rd and 4th grades (see descriptions below). Registration will open in late 2026. If you would like to be added to the notification list, contact saamodt@ptmsc.org
Please request your program at least 4 weeks in advance. With less than 4 weeks notice, please contact us first to see if we can accommodate your request.
For questions, further details, or help scheduling a program, email Sara Aamodt at saamodt@ptmsc.org.
Program descriptions
Sea Star Gazing
Grades 2-4
Explore the unique body plan and adaptations of sea stars and the role they play in the Salish Sea ecosystem via photos, diagrams, and dried specimens. We will also investigate recent challenges for sea star populations on the West Coast and what scientists have discovered. Finally, students will use their new knowledge of sea star anatomy to draw their own sea star species.
Room and supply requirements
- Projector/screen for slides (PTMSC brings laptop/USB drive)
- Drawing supplies – paper, markers, crayons, etc.
Lonely Abalone
Grades 3-4
Students learn about the ecological connections and life history of a local endangered species, the Pinto abalone, by playing a floor-sized board game modeling the efforts of local conservation groups to restore the population.
Room and supply requirements
- Projector/screen for slides (PTMSC brings laptop/USB drive)
- ~ 15′ x 15′ clear floor space for game board
Fishery Frenzy
Grades 4-8
Dive into human and ecosystem interactions by modeling a fishery in the Salish Sea! Students make decisions as a group about how best to manage the fishery for economic and environmental sustainability. Through several iterations of the activity they discover which methods are most effective in achieving target species sustainability and reducing bycatch.
Room and supply requirements
- Floor space is needed to accommodate a 6’ diameter pool, with 5-6 feet of room around the pool for student movement
Life at the Top: Biomagnification
Grades 5-8
Students model a Salish Sea food chain and predator-prey population dynamics via an active game. The model also incorporates the effects of pollution and resulting biomagnification, emphasizing impacts to apex predators such as orcas. Students will discuss how toxic pollution enters marine environments and brainstorm ideas for prevention; local examples will be reviewed as well.
Room and supply requirements
- A 16’ x 16’ clear floor space is required for range of movement during the game; minimum recommended class size of 16 students
Marine Debris Lab
Grades 5 and up
Students investigate the impact of marine debris by examining specimens from an affected species, the Laysan albatross. After reviewing how the animal’s life history and movement patterns make it vulnerable to marine debris, students use a timeline activity to better understand the effect that specific items and materials are having on the environment. Finally, students brainstorm ways that individuals and communities can address this problem, and specific local examples are provided.
Room and supply requirements
- A ~ 12′ x 4′ clear floor space to set up the timeline activity
Intro to Marine Mammals
Grades 5 and up
Whales, seals, sea lions, and more! Students define characteristics of mammals, and then further investigate marine mammal adaptations with photos, videos, bones, pelts, and other specimens. Working in small groups, participants examine and sketch a collection of mystery skulls, and practice using specific features to make deductions about an animal’s life history.
Room and supply requirements
- Projector/screen and sound for playing a short video (PTMSC brings laptop/USB drive)
Crab Lab
Grades 3 and Up
While so many of us enjoy consuming crab, few of us know much about this common marine invertebrate! Students investigate crab adaptations and life history through scavenger hunts, scientific drawing, and student-guided inquiry with live specimens in the aquarium and molts in the classroom. We will also discuss the ecological and economic importance of crab species in the Salish Sea, and current research projects to understand and protect them.
Room and supply requirements
- Projector/screen and sound for playing a short video (PTMSC brings laptop/USB drive)