Ocean Connectors achieved a record-breaking year! Our team successfully carried out environmental programs for over 1,200 elementary students from six underserved elementary schools in National City School District, and 1,000 children in Nayarit, Mexico. Students learned about the history, research, and conservation of the marine species in their own “backyard”, the Pacific Ocean. We achieved our goal of connecting low-income youth with native wildlife and ecosystems to inspire long-term environmental stewardship. This goal was achieved through classroom presentations by expert guest speakers, binational knowledge exchanges, mentorship from conservation professionals, and field trips to interact with migratory marine life.

Ocean Connectors also completed the development of a User Guide curriculum to promote stewardship in the classroom in grades 4-6. This stand-alone curriculum supports academic learning goals and reinforces environmental themes in the classroom. We worked with local experts to develop three versions of the Guide, which were printed and distributed to every participating teacher.

The curriculum is also posted online, so everyone can have access to environmental education tools that support California learning standards. Click here to check out the User Guide!