Program at Malibu Lagoon State Beach
Location: 23400 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu, CA 90265
Site Facilities: Port-a-potties, currently no running water, adequate seating, mostly wheelchair accessible. Good site for after-program picnic lunch.
Time and Season: 10 am to 12:30 pm. Year-round including summer months.
Type: Coastal Wetlands and Marine Science. Aligned with California State science standards.
Learning Levels: Appropriate for grades 2 to 12.
Fee: Ranges from $265 to $440 depending on the number of students and groups.
Program Rotations and Content: (1) Microscopes - students view and identify lagoon plankton through microscopes, learn about the energy cycle and food web, and gain appreciation for the role of fungus, bacteria and insects in the ecosystem. (2) Fish Lab - students get a close look at our collection of intriguing specimens, while receiving an introduction to fish anatomy and the chararcteristics of local species (steelhead, halibut, tidewater goby). (3) Bird Walk - after basic training in binoculars, students use them in a guided tour to identify local and migratory birds and observe their feeding habits, while learning interesting facts about our feathered friends. (4) Beach Ecology - students discover fascinating marine life at the edge of tidalpools and consider special features of the sand and surf amid sweeping views of the mountains and bay. (5) Water Quality - students learn about salinity, pH and temperature by collecting a sample of lagoon water and testing directly for these qualities.
Malibu Lagoon Water Quality Data from RCD Education Programs_2006 to 2010
Program at Topanga State Park
Location: 20829 Entrada Road, Topanga, CA 90290
Site Facilities: Full-service bathrooms, running water, ample seating, mostly wheelchair accessible. Excellent site for after-program picnic lunch.
Time and Season: 10 am to 12:30 pm. September through June.
Type: Mountain Oak Woodland and Chaparral Habitat with Native American theme. Aligned with California State history and social science standards.
Learning Levels: Appropriate for grades K to 6.
Fee: Ranges from $210 to $440 depending on the number of students and groups.
Program Rotations and Content: (1) Chaparral Habitat Hike - students hike along mountain trails, as they learn about the flora and fauna and natural cycles of this beautiful chaparral habitat. (2) Acorn Grinding - using stone mortar and pestle, students grind fresh acorns from the native Coast Live Oak into acorn flour, imitating one of the traditional steps in the Chumash practice of making acorn meal. (3) Pictographs - students create their own mysterious rock art on sandpaper using hematite and glue, which they may keep and take back to school. (4) Artifacts Lab - students compare and contrast ordinary artifacts from Chumash culture with objects of similar function from our own, thereby gaining a deeper understanding of both cultures. (5) Song Circle - students make music with rattles and clappersticks, and learn one or two simple songs that are still sung at Native American gatherings today. (6) Stick Dice and Story Time - students play the ancient game of stick dice, or peón with walnut shells, and hear the retelling Chumash legend.
Program at Sepulveda Basin Wildlife Reserve
Location: Woodley Ave Park, Van Nuys, CA 91406
Site Facilities: Full-service bathrooms, running water, ample seating, fully wheelchair accessible. Excellent site for after-program picnic lunch.
Time and Season: 10 am to 12 pm. October through March.
Type: Valley Freshwater Lake Habitat. Aligned with California State science standards.
Learning Levels: Appropriate for grades 3 to 12.
Fee: Ranges from $265 to $440 depending on the number of students and groups.
Program Rotations and Content: (1) Microscopes - students view and identify freshwater plankton, learn about the energy cycle and food web, and gain appreciation for the role of fungus, bacteria and insects in the ecosystem. (2) Habitat Walk - after basic training in binocular use, students walk the perimeter of the lake habitat to identify local and migratory birds, and to observe their hunting and feeding habits. Native plants and other types of fauna are also discussed as they appear along the way. (3) Water Quality - students are introduced to the pH scale, learn the difference between acid and base, and then test the lake water to determine if it's safe for wildlife. At the same time, they test also for temperature, odor and turbidity.