A program of the Lawrence Hall of Science that seeks to increase ocean literacy through informal and formal education initiatives
Marine Activities, Resources & Education

MARE Ocean Immersions

An Ocean Immersion is when a whole school community, including faculty, students and families, comes together to celebrate and learn about the ocean. Some schools celebrate an Ocean Week, others expand their focus to an Ocean Month; ocean immersions look different in every school! MARE staff can be on-site at your school for your planning and throughout your Ocean Immersion event. Teachers receive coaching, support and in-class modeling of the MARE curriculum from the MARE staff.

What are the pieces of an Ocean Immersion?

An ocean immersion is based on the MARE Teacher's Guides to Marine Habitats: K-8 habitat-based thematic instructional units. MARE also provides an extensive library of teaching resources such as books, posters, music and DVDs.

Any ocean immersion event needs coordination. MARE offers the perfect opportunity for teachers to become their school site leaders with the MARE Summer Leadership Institute, showcasing ocean sciences content, hands-on investigations and skills that help coordinate MARE in schools.

A customized whole staff inservice can address your school’s needs, and grade level specific needs, introducing teachers to methods for developing their own integrated curriculum as well as helping plan your Ocean Immersion.

A consulting, scheduling, and planning day with MARE staff allows every teacher to consult and coordinate their Ocean Immersion plans with others at their grade level and plan whole school events. To enhance your community involvement, this day can be combined with a presentation and meeting with school community members too. Have our hands-on, inquiry-based activities modeled in your classroom during your Ocean Immersion. When on-site, MARE staff offer coaching and support.

  • Community involvement and support

Ocean Immersions really come alive when the whole school shares experiences. Over the years, MARE staff have helped brainstorm and coordinate many memorable school-wide events such as habitat hat parades, teacher skits, assemblies and outreach presentations, student presentations, field trips, music, and beach parties.

And don’t forget the parents and community members, and local businesses and residents! Parents can share their skills and resources both at home and at school to help students extend and apply the knowledge they gain throughout the program. MARE can make presentations and lead idea brainstorming sessions with your community. Contact us to learn more!

Getting involved can be easier than you think! GEMS suggests simple ways parents can get involved in their children’s education and support science learning.

How to get started

“Wow…what a professional bunch! It was really an honor to be included as a parent. I think parent involvement is crucial to a program like this, and it’s nice to see it recognized.”
—Parent, Trinidad, CA