Budding ocean enthusiasts from Grace Patterson Elementary School in Vallejo recently embarked on an exciting educational field trip at California State University Maritime Academy (Cal Maritime), delving into the wonders of marine science.
Supported by a grant from the California Coastal Commission's Whale Tail Program,
this immersive experience was designed to complement the fifth-grade curriculum, with
the goal of sparking curiosity and fostering appreciation for marine ecosystems, particularly
the San Francisco Bay Estuary.
Guided by Austin Sargent, a senior oceanography student at Cal Maritime, the field
trip was designed to offer Grace Patterson's fifth graders firsthand exposure to the
interplay of physical, chemical, geological, and biological processes that govern
marine environments.
Under Sargent's mentorship, five Cal Maritime cadets led Patterson students through
a series of hands-on activities, including deploying plankton nets, examining algal
specimens under microscopes, sampling the muddy sediments of the Bay floor, and gaining
insights into measuring the Bay's chemistry aboard the research vessel Questuary,
which is operated by Cal Maritime’s Golden Bear Research Center.
Upon completion of the day's activities, the Community Engaged Learning Center awarded each elementary school participant with a certificate of achievement as a
"Junior Ocean Explorer" and was presented with a commemorative pin, symbolizing their
newfound understanding of oceanic systems. To cap off the event, students, accompanied
by their families and teachers, enjoyed a delightful lunch with Cal Maritime cadets
at the dining center.
The Junior Ocean Explorers Program is a collaborative effort between Cal Maritime's
oceanography program and the campus Community Engaged Learning Center, that regularly
collaborates with local schools and organizations in Vallejo and the Bay Area. Cal
Maritime intends to build upon this inaugural collaboration with Grace Patterson Elementary,
with plans to make it an annual tradition.
Through hands-on exploration and immersive learning experiences, young minds are inspired to become advocates for ocean conservation and sustainability, starting with their immediate surroundings.
ABOUT CAL MARITIME
Established in 1929, California State University Maritime Academy is the only degree-granting
maritime academy on the West Coast. Located in Vallejo, California, the campus offers
undergraduate degrees that prepare students for careers in engineering, transportation,
international relations, business, and global logistics. Cal Maritime also offers
a master’s degree in Transportation and Engineering Management, as well as a number
of extended learning programs and courses.