Curriculum
Ocean Connectors provides lessons, hands-on activities, and field trips to students throughout San Diego County and Nayarit, Mexico. We believe that experiential learning is the first step in developing a love for our oceans.
Full Grade Level Programming
Ocean Connectors provides scaffolded programs for every student in every grade in National School District. These age appropriate lessons build upon each other and allow students to explore concepts, learn about migratory marine animals, and understand their role in local ecology.
TK/Kinder S is for Stewardship
Program Summary
Our students in Transitional Kindergarten (TK) and Kindergarten (K) will participate in our “‘S’ is for Stewardship” program and make career connections to marine biologists and veterinarians to learn how to be stewards for marine life and their habitats.
Stewardship Themes
Key themes of knowledge which help our students become impactful coastal citizens.
- The 3 R’s (reduce, reuse and recycle)
- Composting
- Waste management
Academic Standards
- Visual and Performing Arts
- Reading
- Human Impacts on Earth Systems
- Asking Questions and Defining Problems
1st Grade The Power of Kelp
Program Summary
Our students in 1st grade will participate in “The Power of Kelp” program and use giant kelp (Macrocystis pyrifera) and green seaweed (Chlorophyta macroalgae) as a case study to learn about the importance of giant kelp’s role in marine ecosystems and in our everyday lives.
Stewardship Themes
- Waste management
- Habitat conservation
- Marine life health
Academic Standards
- Reading
- Structure and Function
- Mathematics
- Patterns
2nd Grade From Mountain to Sea
Program Summary
Our students in 2nd grade will participate in our “From Mountain to Sea” program and connect to different kinds of landforms and landscapes that tie into their local environment and explore its changes and needs of protection.
Stewardship Themes
- Climate change resilience
- Preventing overfishing
- Habitat conservation
Academic Standards
- Earth Materials and Systems
- The Roles of Water in Earth’s Surface Processes
- Stability and Change
- Arts
3rd Grade Creek to Coast
Program Summary
Our students use the North American monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus) as a case study for pollinators to learn about the importance of protecting local habitats and open space in order to support healthy ecosystems in which plants can reproduce.
Stewardship Themes
Key themes of knowledge which help our students become impactful coastal citizens.
- Water conservation
- Native plant pollination
- Watershed health
Field Trip
Our students visit local wetlands to participate in watershed education and native plant revegetation.
Academic Standards
- Life Science
- Reading
- History
- Social Science
4th Grade Sea Turtle Discovery
Program Summary
Our students use the Eastern Pacific green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas agassizii) as a case study to learn about the interconnectedness of aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems and the importance of recycling and reducing plastic pollution to benefit the health of the marine environment.
Stewardship Themes
Key themes of knowledge which help our students become impactful coastal citizens..
- Recycling
- Waste Management
- Avoiding Single-Use Plastic
Field Trip
Our students visit local aquariums and sea turtle feeding and nesting sites to observe sea turtles and other native wildlife.
Academic Standards
- Engineering Design
- Life Science
- Speaking & Listening
- Writing
5th Grade Whale Exploration
Program Summary
Our students use the California gray whale (Eschrichtius robustus) as a case study to learn about the vast migrations of marine mammals and the importance of putting thought and careful consideration into seafood choices to protect marine resources for the future.
Stewardship Themes
Key themes of knowledge which help our students become impactful coastal citizens..
- Sustainable seafood
- Bycatch reduction
- Responsible shipping
Field Trip
Our students attend whale watching excursions to observe migrating whales and learn from a diverse group of maritime experts.
Academic Standards
- Earth & Human Activity
- Math
- Physical Science
- Reading
6th Grade Bird & Habitat Study
Program Summary
Our students use the Western osprey (Pandion haliaetus) as a case study to learn about the vulnerability of coastal habitats due to climate change and overdevelopment and the importance of preventing habitat destruction for wildlife and humans.
Stewardship Themes
Key themes of knowledge which help our students become impactful coastal citizens..
- Habitat conservation
- Sustainable development
- Climate change resilience
Field Trip
Our students participate in bird watching and habitat restoration at coastal natural areas under mentorship from park rangers and ecology experts.
Academic Standards
- Engineering Design
- English Language Arts
- Human Impacts on Earth Systems
- Math
7th Grade Shark Investigation Unit
Program Summary
Our students use the bigeye thresher (Alopias superciliosus) as a case study to learn about marine ecology and the critical role that sharks play in maintaining biodiversity and the health of our oceans, as well as to dispel fear of sharks.
Stewardship Themes
Key themes of knowledge which help our students become impactful coastal citizens..
- Fisheries management
- Ecosystem services
- Preventing overfishing and finning
Field Trip
Our students visit local aquariums and marine science learning centers to observe sharks and interact with professional aquarists.
Academic Standards
- Biodiversity and Humans
- Ecosystems
- Human Impacts on Earth Systems
- Math
Knowledge Exchange
Children are most influenced by the opinions, actions, and values of other children. Thus a fundamental teaching aide is creating a constructive dialogue between children about environmental issues. We foster this meaningful dialogue by using migratory marine life to connect youth living over 1,000 miles apart on the Pacific migratory corridor through the Ocean Connectors Knowledge Exchange.
Impact
Ocean Connectors enhances student knowledge of marine science, environmental literacy, and conservation using case-study migratory species and related stewardship themes.
