Field trips and mobile programs
The Marine Science Institute provides a scientific experience built on California standards-based activities and a memorable voyage into nature for students of all economic backgrounds. The Marine Science Institute puts students in physical contact with the SF Bay and coast environments to help cultivate their natural sense of curiosity, enrich their understanding of science, and foster a responsibility to protect the environment.
Discovery Voyage
Grades 4 and up
8 am - 12 pm
1 pm - 5 pm
Sep. - Feb. $1,750 - 3,500*
Mar. - Aug. $1,950 - 3,500*
for up to 45 students
$500 Add'l. for 60 students
*Sliding scale available depending on need. Click here to apply for sponsorship
Students embark on a four-hour expedition of the San Francisco Bay aboard the 90-foot research vessel, the R.V. Robert G. Brownlee. Using research equipment and teamwork, students participate in hands-on science activities collecting live samples and specimens, discovering the life in the estuary and how humans are connected to it.
Shoreside
Grades K and up
2 - 3 hours
Sep. - Feb. $540 - 990*
Mar. - Aug. $560 - 1010*
Max 60 students
*Sliding scale available depending on need. Click here to apply for sponsorship
The Shoreside program takes place at our beachfront facility in Redwood City, and offers a variety of hands-on activities that challenge students and ignite their curiosity.
Inland Voyage
Grades K and up
50 minutes per session
Sep. - Feb. $570* for first 1-3 sessions
Mar. - Aug. $600* for first 1-3 sessions
Max 30 students
per session
*Sliding scale available depending on need. Click here to apply for sponsorship
Inland Voyages deliver living marine animals from various habitats directly to the class with the Marine Science Institute’s mobile aquarium.
Tidepool
Grades 3 and up
Tide dependent
2.5 hours
Sep. - Feb. Pricing $640 - 1090*
Mar. - Aug. Pricing $670 - 1120*
Max 60 participants
*Sliding scale available depending on need. Click here to apply for sponsorship
Students journey to the tide pools to explore the rugged habitat and the resilient animals that call this ever-changing coastal environment their home.
Canoes in Sloughs
Grades 6 and up
March - September
9 am - 2 pm
Max 27 participant pricing $830 - 1000*
Max 37 participant pricing $1000 - 1275*
Max 37 participants
*Sliding scale available depending on need. Click here to apply for sponsorship
Discover our local wetland, the wildlife within it, and how humans impact it through Marine Science Institute’s immersive Canoes in Sloughs program.
Ocean Lab
Grades 4 and up
2.5 hours
Sep. - Feb. Pricing $650 - 890*
Mar. - Aug. Pricing $700 - 940*
Max 60 students
*Sliding scale available depending on need. Click here to apply for sponsorship
Students learn from marine biologists how to think like scientists, brainstorm with their classmates, and make detailed observations by examining organisms from the rocky intertidal ecosystem.
Marsh and Beach
Grades 3 and up
2.5 hours
Sep. - Feb. Pricing $590 - 1040*
Mar. - Aug. Pricing $640 - 1090*
*Sliding scale available depending on need. Click here to apply for sponsorship
Max 60 students
Meet Marine Science Institute at Pescadero State Beach for a guided, hands-on immersion into coastal habitats.
Under 5 Programs
We are all about exploration, and what better age to start an adventure than 3 - 5 years old. These classes are tailored to smaller students, adapted for shorter attention spans by keeping sessions short and rotating stations often.
Scroll below to learn about the many possibilities for your class.
Under 5 Inland Voyage
Ages 3 - 5
60 Minutes
per session
Offsite: $570-600
for 1-3 sessions
At MSI:
$250-300 up to 10 students
$370-420 up to 20 students
Max 20 students
per session
*Sliding scale available depending on need. Click here to apply for sponsorship
The Under 5 Inland Voyage is the perfect marine animal introduction for tiny scientists aged 3 – 5. Littles spend each program exploring different sea creatures. Lessons are designed to connect curricula using animal exploration, reading, and crafts. Each session covers a different animal and habitat, helping young learners make connections and reinforcing introductory concepts.
Under 5 Shoreside
Ages 3 - 5
2 hours
Sep. - Feb. Pricing $500 - 740*
Mar. - Aug. Pricing $540 - 780*
Max 40 students
*Sliding scale available depending on need. Click here to apply for sponsorship
Our Under 5 Shoreside is specially designed to cultivate the natural curiosity of young learners in a safe and fun learning environment. This memorable two-hour program includes four stations: Mud, Invertebrates, Fish, and a Craft/Game. Students enjoy touching live animals, exploring mud, and creating a thematic craft keepsake.
Combination Programs
Multiple-exposure programs deepen students’ understanding and create opportunities for cross-cutting between concepts. Bundle programs to combine thematically-linked in-class visits with engaging fieldtrips.
Scroll below to learn about the many possibilities for your class.
*some combination programs are grade specific.
Classroom Biomimicry Combination
Grades 3 and up
2 hours
Sep. - Feb. Pricing $495 - 600*
Mar. - Aug. Pricing $525 - 630*
Max 30 students
per session
*Sliding scale available depending on need. Click here to apply for sponsorship
The Classroom Biomimicry Program takes place entirely in the classroom, where students examine live animals and learn about their adaptations. During these sessions students record ideas and observations that are then uses for applying biomimetic concepts to team designs.
Discovery Voyage Biomimicry Combination
Grades 5 and up
50 minute classroom visit
4 hours on ship
Sep. - Feb. Pricing $1,750 - 3,500
Mar. - Aug. Pricing $1,950 - 3,500
Max 30 students
*Sliding scale available depending on need. Click here to apply for sponsorship
The Discovery Voyage Biomimicry Program includes an in-class introductory visit and a voyage aboard Marine Science Institute’s research vessel. In the classroom students are introduced to biomimicry and practice identifying adaptations and functions by interacting with live animals. During the 4 hour voyage students find inspiration by studying the plankton, invertebrates, and fishes onboard using scientific methods and tools.
Habitat Combination
Grades K and up
Varies depending on session options
Contact for pricing
Max 30 students
*Sliding scale available depending on need. Click here to apply for sponsorship
The Habitat Combination is a multiple-exposure program that combines an in-class visit featuring live animals with a field trip to deepen students’ experiences and create opportunities for cross-cutting between concepts. Habitat options are Rocky Shore and SF Bay Estuary, Sandy Beach, or Salt Marsh.
Scientific Method Combination
Grades 4 and up
Varies depending on session options
Contact for pricing
Max 30 students
*Sliding scale available depending on need. Click here to apply for sponsorship
Choose one of three habitats for their field research: San Francisco Bay, Pescadero Beach, or Pillar Point Rocky Shore. Each habitat study includes set of three programs: a pre-visit to the school, a field trip to their selected habitat, and a post-visit to the school. Over the course of these experiences, the students participate in all steps of the scientific method.
Wonders of Watershed Combination
Grades 6 and up
Varies depending on session options
Contact for pricing
Max 30 students
*Sliding scale available depending on need. Click here to apply for sponsorship
Wonders of Watersheds is a series of three experiences: Introduction to the Watershed Inland Voyage, Creek Study, and Canoes in Sloughs. This series of programs combines in-class learning with hands-on experimentation and discovery.