Educational Resources

California Marine Protected Areas

Find out more about California marine protected areas through this web resource that includes interactive maps, photos, videos, and teacher resources.

Channel Islands Live Ocean Webcam

Explore the kelp forest off Anacapa Island in Channel Islands National Park and National Marine Sanctuary waters using this live webcam.

Channel Islands Bald Eagle Webcam

Get an up-close and personal view of a live bald eagle's nest on the Channel Islands.

Long term Monitoring and Experiential Training for Students (LiMPETS)

Citizen scientists monitor the coastal ecosystems of California while developing a scientific understanding of the ocean.

Multicultural Education for Resource Issues Threatening Oceans (MERITO®) Academy Curriculum©

An educational resource focusing on Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary that meets academic requirements in the State of California and can be adapted to other regions.

Deep Sea Coral Curriculum

This curriculum takes students into the deep sea to identify the invertebrates and fish found in West Coast national marine sanctuaries and investigate the unique biology of deep-sea corals. Students learn about the threats these animals face and what we can do to help protect them.

Understanding Ocean Acidification

Our carbon emissions are making the ocean more acidic, which threatens life in our seas. Use these resources to educate yourself and others to take action.

Channel Islands Ocean Acidification Curriculum

This eight-lesson middle school science curriculum was developed by Oxnard School District working with Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary and Channel Islands National Park. All lessons are aligned with Next Generation Science Standards and Common Core Education Standards and Ocean and Climate Literacy Principles. Exploring the Complexity of Ocean Acidification Science Scope Article | Teacher Handbook | Student Workbork

Ocean Acidification Education Toolkit: Dungeness Crab Case Study

Dungeness crab is a valuable species throughout the national marine sanctuaries of the West Coast from Washington state to throughout California. This communication toolkit is designed to help educators and communicators teach others about the impact of ocean acidification on dungeness crab.

NOAA National Marine Sanctuaries Education

The National Marine Sanctuary Program provides resources and training to support ocean literacy, including curriculum, lesson plans, and activities that excite students about science and technology.

NOAA Education

The NOAA Education website is a portal to NOAA sponsored educational materials designed so educators can find and access materials from one centralized interface.

E/V Nautilus Channel Islands Expedition

Explore submerged shorelines and deep-sea coral gardens and learn how scientists have mapped the seafloor and characterized the biological habitats in the deep waters of the sanctuary.

California Bay Watershed Education and Training (B-WET) Grants

The NOAA California Bay Watershed Education and Training (B-WET) Program provides funds to support environment-based education throughout the watersheds of San Francisco Bay, Monterey Bay, and Santa Barbara Channel.

Ocean Guardian School Grants

An Ocean Guardian School makes a commitment to the protection and conservation of its local watersheds, the world's ocean, and special ocean areas, like national marine sanctuaries. Each school makes this commitment by proposing and then implementing a school- or community-based conservation project.

The sanctuary works with many local, state, federal, and university partners to increase awareness, knowledge and stewardship of our ocean environment. Some of these partners have visitor centers or exhibits highlighting the sanctuary and others listed below have educational programs that focus on the Channel Islands.

Cal State Channel Islands Santa Rosa Island Research Station

The California State University Channel Islands (CI) Santa Rosa Island Research Station (SRIRS) seeks to cultivate a diverse community of scholars and initiate innovative resource management solutions by supporting research, education, and outreach programs across disciplines.

Explore Ecology

Explore Ecology is an environmental education and arts nonprofit organization located in Santa Barbara, California inspiring children to engage with the natural world, think critically, and experience the value of environmental stewardship

Multicultural Education for Resource Issues Threatening Oceans (MERITO)

MERITO enhances ocean and climate science literacy among multicultural communities while supporting marine research and conservation in order to promote healthy ocean ecosystems and inspire the next generation of ocean professionals.

Oxnard College Marine Education Center

Oxnard College Marine Education Center, located at Fisherman's Wharf in Channel Islands Harbor, provides innovative marine education programs for learners of all ages.

University of California Marine Science Institute Oceans 2 Classrooms

Oceans 2 Classrooms provides an ocean view of the world for students of all ages. Multi-faceted programs immerse participants in marine science to explore the mysteries of the sea and its critical role on the planet, while seeking solutions to its most pressing challenges.

Santa Barbara Unified School District Santa Barbara Channel B-WET Project

Connecting the Next Generation Science Standards to the natural laboratory of the Santa Barbara Channel and its watershed to provide meaningful training for teachers on ocean acidification and climate change (NGSS-SBC Lab).