HomeMy WebLinkAboutSS3 - Tidepool Education ProgramFebruary 11, 2003
Study Session No. 3
The Making of the Tidepool
Education Program.
1. Setting the Stage
Whet are the problems in Cie Little Comm Marine Life Refuge?
Writing the Script
Addressing Cie issues d finding sakitlons
a. The Cast & Crew
Who participates and who makes ft trip work?
a. Light, Camera, Action!
It all oames down to ihie.
5. That's a Wrap!
Is the tidepool program working? Where do we go from here?
1
Imagine this...
A beautiful Friday in May at Little Corona. The sun is
out, the tide is exceptional for viewing tidepool life and
a light breeze keeps it from getting too hot...
Now add this...
1500 school children and their teachers arrive in
busses that park and idle along Ocean Ave after
dropping the groups off. 3000 feet descend on the
refuge and trample, stomp, kick and destroy the
delicate ecosystem. Most have no idea they are
inflicting any harm.
2
e
S 2500
g 2" ® 2000.2001
s 1500 •2001 -2002
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Feb Mar Apr May Jun July
' This graph only represents groups that participated in the city's
Udepool education program.
• Cost
$29.50 per class, includes parking fee for Big Corona parking lot
• Length of program:
Approximately 2 tours
• Number of staff:
Usually one staff for every two classes (approx. 40 children)
• Recommended ratio of adults to children (includes rangers,
teachers and chaperones):
1" grade or younger -1:5
2v° grade or older- 1:10
• Educational Materials:
A packet of information is sent out at least 6-8 weeks ahead of time
3
Fidepoo[ Explomfloss
Trips
.. ....... ...
Welcome to the Little Corona Marine life
Refuge site/
Al
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7
• Elementary, Middle & High Schools
• Preschools
• Harbor
Resources
Website
• Word of mouth
from other
teachers.
• Repeat trips,
"I've been
coming for 13
years..."
• Home School Groups & Independent Study Programs
• Scout Groups
Day Care Programs
• Community Organizations
YMCA Groups
El
Where do they come from? What ages use the trip?
2 5%
®Orange ® Pre K & K
Cotmty t 1st -3rd
■ Riverside ■ 4#r&h
Area f 7th & up
■Los Angeles ■ mixed
Area
• Supplement the science curriculum
• Introduce the beach to kids who have never seen the
coast
• To give their students appreciation and respect for the
environment.
• To teach students conservation and awareness.
• To have fun!
5
The Marine Life Refuge Supervisor
Supervises and trains Tidepool Rangers
Responsible for the scheduling and organization of the Tidepool Exploration
Program.
Administers the regional Community Watch Volunteer Program
213 of the position is currently funded by a grant from the California
Resources Agency
f
Tidepool Rangers
Present the Tidepool Exploration Program to schools and groups
Educate and interact with visitors to the marine life refuge
Inform the visiting public of the rules and regulations in the refuge and protect
the tidepool resources
• Call the Tidepool Information line and speak to the Marine Life
Refuge Supervisor.
-or-
• Visit the Harbor Resources website and submit a trip request
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A packet Is mailed to the _.
school. at. least 6
weekebefore the'trlp..
It Includes:
• Confirmation letter
• sus Pass
• Marine rife refuge video and
vocabulary
• Field guides
• Tidepool Trading Cards
• Luke to informatla to-get the
studerft4eady for Emir trip as
well as C40ofta Science
Standards met through the trip.
7
Lights; Camera, Action!
Exploring the tidepools
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In a Spring 2002 survey of teachers who participated in the Tidepool
Exploration Program, 95% "strongly agreed" they enjoyed bringing their
classes to the tidepools. (5% "agreed" with the statement)
"1 found this years 'program to be Muchmore organized and helpful as compared to two
years ago. 1 appreciate all the staff that were out to help answer questions"
"Our ranger was extremely helpful and very flexible to accommodate our special ed students."
"It's a good trip, the only one we go on every yearl "_Donna Stagg
'Thank you for giving our Kindergarten and 1° grade students such a wonderful experience on
April t ". They learned so much and for many was their first beach experience."
- Debbie Damron, Ellington School
Everyone loves coming to the tidepools but in the same survey only 54% of
the groups felt their groups are prepared for their trip. The schools
overwhelmingly asked for more information to prepare the students.
We are planning ways to make our trip compatible with scout badge work so
when they visit they earn their award and we get our message out.
Utilize community volunteers in the Regional Community Watch Program to
assist tidepool rangers on weekends, especially from May to October.
In the end
We will conserve only what we love.
We will love only what we understand.
We will understand only what we are taught.
Please call Cheri Schonfeld, Marine Life Refuge Supervisor at:
(949 )644 -3038
Or visit the Harbor Resources Tidepool Exploration Programs web
site at:
www.city.newport-beach.ca.us/hbr/tidepools.htm
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