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The Marine Science Institute's mission is to cultivate a responsibility for the natural environment and our human communities through interdisciplinary science education.

Description:
Our programs allow elementary through college-aged students to be marine scientists for a day. Over the past 34 years, we have continuously tailored our science programs to meet the needs of schools. We constantly endeavor to create a program experience that satisfies the teachers' specific educational requirements and support the California State Board of Education Science Content Standards.

Discovery Voyages are four-hour explorations of the SF Bay on board our 90-foot research vessel, the Robert. G. Brownlee. Elementary-college students rotate through four stations where they use authentic marine research equipment to conduct science. On these trips, students focus on ichthyology, Plankton, Hydrology, and Benthos.

Land Programs are conducted at MSI's oyster shell beach, pier, and Discovery Lab. Students work at two to four stations to study fish, benthic invertebrates, plankton, hydrology (water chemistry), sharks, and marine mammals. They use professional-grade oceanographic equipment to take mud grabs, "seine" fish, and collect and test water and plankton samples. In the Ocean Lab program, students handle live animals and use microscopes, keys, and the scientific method to examine five different phyla of tidepool invertebrates and fish, their interrelationships, and their ecology. We also take sharks, fish, crabs, and other marine life out to the schools using a trailer-mounted aquarium. This program can be tailored to the class' needs by focusing on whatever theme or habitat is appropriate to their current curriculum.

History:
The Institute was founded in 1970, around the time that the issue of water resources was becoming a major concern for many Bay Area inhabitants. The Institute's philosophy was founded on the idea that putting students in direct physical contact with their local bay environment will help cultivate their natural sense of curiosity while enriching their understanding of science and fostering a responsibility to protect their environment.

The Discovery Voyage was the first program created that met with great success at the Institute's formation. In 1992, the Institute created land-based programs. These programs include the Shoreside program, the Inland Voyage, and the Tidepool program which takes place at Pillar Point in Half Moon Bay. Thirty-four years ago, the Discovery Voyage program served about 4,000 students in its first year. Today, we average roughly 32,000 students and adults through all of our programs combined.

Contact people:

Aaron Tinker, Volunteer Coordinator, (phone), (email) Marilou Seiff, Executive Director, (email) Dennis Rogers, Land Programs Manager, (phone), (email)

Main office number: (650) 364-2760
Office fax number: 650-364-0416

Address:

500 Discovery Parkway Redwood City, CA 94063 (See a map)

Web Site: http://www.sfbaymsi.org

Miscellaneous Information

Besides English, which languages are spoken at your agency?
	No others
What is the minimum age for volunteers at your agency?
	18
Is your agency wheelchair accessible?
	Yes
Does your agency have the capacity to host groups of more than 10?
	Yes
Does your agency have the capacity to host groups of more than 20?
	Yes