So. Calif. Science Field Trips

SO. CALIF. SCIENCE FIELD TRIPS

RESEARCH TECHNIQUES

CSULB Main Research Library: in-depth "Using the Library as a Research Tool" lecture and hands-on work involving the use of Inter-library networking facilities, using science abstracts and the reference library.

LECTURER: Ms. Wendy Culotta, Science Specialist, CSULB Main Library

MARINE BIOLOGY/OCEANOGRAPHY

Long Beach Aquarium of the Pacific: world-class aquarium high-lighting 3 major areas of the Pacific Rim: the Intertidal zones; kelp forests and open ocean; and coral reefs. Traveling exhibits on special topics, touch tanks in all 3 major areas. Tours by docents; 2 classrooms available for hands-on activities directed by Aquarium Staff. (Open 1998)

LECTURERS: LB Aquarium of the Pacific Staff

Southern California Marine Institute (SCMI): conduct a full day of hands-on investigations using college-level laboratory facilities and observe marine invertebrate and fish behaviors; conduct distribution and density studies of "fouling plates" previously submerged in nearby water; plankton lab focusing on bioluminescence; bioproductivity lab determining nutrient levels and respiration and photosynthesis rates.

LECTURERS: Dominick Gregorio, Program CoordinatorCarrie Wolfe, Asst. Program Coordinator

Long Beach Harbor/Inshore-Offshore Sampling Tour (aboard the CSULB research vessel "Yellowfin"): Ecologically-oriented tour of the world's most active port, addressing human impact issues and mitigating techniques; inshore and offshore sampling using "hydro-lab" water quality analysis, secchi disks, plankton nets, biological dredges, "grab" bottom samplers, otter trawls, Nanson bottle, magnetometer and geological corer demonstrations; collection and identification of local species.

LECTURER: Mr. Tom Johnson, Port of Los Angeles environmental biologist

Wrigley (U.S.C.) Catalina Island Marine Science Center: 3-day field excursion to a world-famous research center; snorkel dive 4 times to observe and research flora & fauna in a pristine kelp-bed setting; island ecology hikes, plankton, fish, and invertebrate labs; tour the Hyperbaric chamber; mudflat analysis; astronomy lecture; lecture on shark biotelemetry by John Manley, visiting research scientist.

LECTURERS: WCMSC staff

Catalina Island Marine Institute: 3-day field excursion to Catalina Island. CIMI has research labs for ocean life and physical conditions of sea. Catalina offers unique study in all aspects of ocean and environmental science, including the ethics of developing natural habitats for human use. The CIMI staff is experienced in working with youngsters and the facility is equipped to provide high quality handson experiences. CIMI facilities include comfortable dorm and eating facilities, and their equipment includes appropriate diving gear for groups. The CIMI perperson fee includes housing, meals, instructional services, and all necessary equipment. Students will receive snorkeling instruction and have the chance to participate in 3 dives within Catalina's pristine kelp forests, an unforgettable experience!

LECTURERS: C.I.M.I. Staff

Cabrillo Marine Museum, San Pedro: Widely praised as one of the West Coast's finest marine museums, focusing on the behavior and ecology of local organisms and their habitats: Tour & special lecture

LECTURERS: Mr. Ed Mastro, Mr. Mike Schaadt, Cabrillo Museum

Sea World and Hubbs Research Institute, San Diego: A recreational park with a strong conservation and research commitment: BehindtheScenes tour & tour of Hubbs Research Institute

LECTURERS: Sea World instructors

Center for Marine Studies at Fort MacArthur, San Pedro: Volunteer care center to rehabilitate sick and injured seals and sea lions. Students see care and feeding, participate in hands-on marine science activities. Tour & special lecture and lab.

LECTURER: Ms. Jeanine Mauch, Director (LAUSD)

Whale Watch Center & Museum, Point Vicente, Palos Verdes: Small but jewel-like natural history museum devoted to local cetaceans. Migrating whales are tracked round the clock by volunteers during the peak months (mid-December through March). As many as 100 gray whales pass the Point daily in February, students can view them through telescopes at the Center. Four species of dolphins, Orcas, pilot, sperm, gray, minke, humpback, and fin whales are regularly seen.

LECTURERS: American Cetacean Society Docents

Scripps Institute of Oceanography: tour of new aquarium and behind-the-scenes look at research facilities and aquaria. Talk to scientists about current research projects, visit local tidepools below cliffs.

Lecture on ozone depletion by an expert researcher.

LECTURER: Dr. Nick Graham

Roundhouse Marine Lab, Manhattan Beach: Study physical oceanography and marine biology on-site at the end of the Manhattan Beach Pier

LECTURERS: LAUSD Marine Biology Instructors

"Oceans Alive" Have your class visit any site on the L.A. coast, accompanied by a marine scientist. Study tidepools whales, physical oceanography with oceanographic tools.

LECTURERS:LA County Dept. Of Education Marine Scientists

Whale-watching: view seals, sea lions, sea birds and the gray whale in their natural environment. Learn marine mammals adaptations to the marine environment, view social and feeding behaviors.

LECTURERS: Cabrillo Marine Museum docents

Bolsa Chica Wetlands: extensive local estuary for comparative studies with other marine habitats; contains Federally designated endangered species: private tour; quadrate studies of sand crab populations for later in-class analysis.

LECTURER: Dr. Charlie Collins, CSULB;Amigos de Bolsa Chica naturalists

Newport Back Bay Wetlands: largest local estuary for comparative studies with other marine habitats; contains Federally designated endangered species: private tour; abiotic sampling.

LECTURERS: Friends of Newport Back Bay naturalists

Huntington Beach Field Study: contains recently oiled tidepools and sandy beaches for comparative studies with pristine habitats: quadrat sampling for sandcrabs, analysis of sand, data collection

LECTURER: LBUSD Marine biology instructors

Seal Beach Field Study: contains pristine tidepools and sandy beaches for field studies on marine organism abundance and diversity: quadrat sampling for comparison with Huntington Beach site

LECTURER: LBUSD Marine biology instructors

Royal Palms Beach Algae Collecting: contains pristine tidepools and abundant algae for collection, pressing, and identification through the use of dichotomous keys.

LECTURER: LBUSD Marine biology instructors

Little Corona Tidepools: contains pristine tidepools and sandy beaches for field studies on marine organism abundance and diversity; conduct one-hour individual behavioral observations and analysis.

LECTURER: LBUSD Marine biology instructors

CSULB Marine Touch Tank; Shark Lab tour: hands-on experiences with local tidepool organisms; lecture and tour of special shark research facilities by world-renowned researcher.

LECTURER: Dr. Chris Lowe, CSULB

Southern California Water Quality Research Project (SCWQRP): tour facilities and research labs; talk to scientists about current projects, view water quality testing, do sample tests.

LECTURER: Steven Bay, SCWQRP

ECOLOGY/BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES

Huntington Botanical Gardens: over 200 acres of outstanding gardens including the worlds largest private desert garden, a 25 acre Japanese Garden complete with a 14th century noblemans house, herb, palm and water gardens. Daily tours, monthly exhibits and lectures, visit to the greenhouses on request.

LECTURER: Huntington Garden Docents

L.A County Museum of Natural History: contains a recently developed marine science wing and new shark exhibit among many other natural science exhibits: private tour

LECTURER: Jeff Siegal, Collections Manager, Ichthyology

George C. Page Museum & La Brea Tar Pits: award-winning, unique collection of early Pleistocene fossils in an inter-active environment: private tour, viewing of preservation and cataloguing techniques.

LECTURER: GCPage docents

Los Angeles Zoo: world-renowned collection of local and global species, presented in natural settings, particularly emphasizing primate collections. Behind-the-scenes tour; collect individual data on primate behavior

LECTURER: Ms. Linda Countryman, GLAZA docent coordinator

El Dorado Nature Center: wonderful local nature center with weekday and weekend guided tours. Several miles of trails through chaparral and oak woodland habitat, pond and stream side habitats, local wildlife. Weekly talks by naturalists, night campfires.

LECTURER: El Dorado Nature Center docents

Shipley Nature Center: Free one hour tour of the interpretive museum with a trail walk through meadow, forest and aquatic habitats.

LECTURER: Fred Ritter, Naturalist

Tucker Wildlife Sanctuary, Orange: Nature Center with live animals, bird observatory, nature trails in chaparral habitat. One and one half hour docent tour for groups.

LECTURER: Tucker Wildlife Sanctuary docents

Turtle Rock Nature Center, Irvine: One and one half hourtour of interpretive building, nature trails in riparian, chaparral, grassland and low desert communities.

LECTURER: Turtle Rock Nature Center docents

Placerita Canyon Nature Center, Newhall: Nature Center with live animals, gift shop and extensive nature trails through riparian, oak woodland and chaparral habitats. Three self-guided trails.

LECTURER: Placerita Canyon Nature Center docents

Devils Punch Bowl, Pear Blossom: Free guided tours through high desert habitat. Spectacular geological formations, small rehabilitation center for raptors on site.

LECTURERS: Devils Punchbowl Naturalists

Oak Canyon Nature Center: Guided tours through coastal sage scrub, chaparral, riparian and oak woodland habitats. Interpretive center on site.

LECTURERS: Oak Canyon Nature Center Docents

Angeles National Forest: Self-guided tours through chaparral, high desert and alpine communities. Free guided tours can sometimes be arranged through the rangers station.

LECTURERS: U.S. Forest Service Naturalists

CSULB Molecular Ecology Lab: tour of the Molecular Ecology Institute; view the Scanning and Transmission Electron Microscopes and learn preparation and film techniques, view the world's most used mass spectrometer

LECTURER: Dr. Zed Mason, Director, Molecular Ecology Institute, CSULB

CSULB Microbiology Labs: tour of the Microbiology Labs; learn plating and transfer techniques, view microorganisms

LECTURER: Dr. Jay Kim, CSULB

San Diego Zoo: world-renowned collection of endangered species, particularly emphasizing captive breeding and operant conditioning of animals for care and display. Behind-the-scenes tour, lecture and demonstration of operant conditioning techniques.

LECTURER: Mr. Gary Priest, Animal Behavior Specialist, SD ZOO

Mountain Ecology, Camp High Hill: 2 days of ecological studies involving riparian, coniferous forest, oak woodland, and meadow habitats while camping in an isolated area of the San Bernadino Mountains; data gathered and analyzed for later comparison with Catalina Island ecology.

LECTURERS: LBUSD Science Staff

GEOLOGY/MARINE BIOLOGY

Palos Verdes Geological Tour and Tidepool Excursions: in-depth study of the geology of the Palos Verdes Cliffs and collection of fossil foraminiferan (for later analysis); on-site studies of rocky intertidal zonation and the density and distribution of local organisms.

LECTURER: Mr. Paul Toth, LB Polytechnic High

San Andreas Fault tour: 8 hour excursion by a noted local geologist through the San Andreas Fault region in the San Bernadino Mountains, including extensive geology and seismology of the region.

LECTURER: Mr. Paul Toth, LB Polytechnic High; Dr. Howard Shifflet, LBCC

PHYSICAL SCIENCES

Jet Propulsion Laboratories: includes an in-depth tour of facilities, explanations of on-going and future manned and unmanned space explorations; tour and hands-on demonstration of the imaging laboratory.

LECTURER: Mr. David Seidel, JPL

CA SciencE Center: dedicated to hands-on science activities: tour of museum exhibits and Space Museum

LECTURER: Science Center Staff

Griffith Park Observatory and Planetarium, Los Angeles: dedicated to bringing astronomy awareness to the general public: includes the Laserium Show, tour of Museum Exhibits & Planetarium show

LECTURER: Mr. Steve Cooperman

a private tour and lecture on the solar and astronomical telescopes

LECTURER: Mr. Kirk Palmer

THUMS oil Islands, Long Beach: run by a consortium of 5 oil companies, it is dedicated to the proper use and protection of marine resources: Tour and lecture on several off-shore islands

LECTURER: Mr. Stephen Marsh, THUMS

Northrop Aircraft Division: Tour plant, observe aircraft building, engineering design. Lecture by local engineers on current project, past successes, career options. Break into small groups to interact with specific engineers.

LECTURER: Cheryl Winn-Sanders

San Onofrees Nuclear Power Plant: Tour facilities, view documentaries on the use of nuclear energy, view waste storage facilities. Talk to scientists about the effects of warm waste water on the local environment.

LECTURER: Dr. Gene Cramer, Education Coordinator

Southern California Edison: tour the electrical generating plant; view engineering design, anti-pollution devices; variable output. Hear career opportunities.

LECTURER: Regis Herlehy, Educational Services Consultant, SCE

California Institute of Technology (CalTech): Tour campus, behind-the-scenes visit to research labs, hear career opportunities.

LECTURER: CalTech docents

CHEMICAL SCIENCES

Southern California Water Quality Research Project (SCWQRP): tour facilities and research labs; talk to scientists about current projects, view water quality testing, do sample tests.

LECTURER: Steven Bay, SCWQRP

THUMS oil Islands, Long Beach: run by a consortium of 5 oil companies, it is dedicated to the proper use and protection of marine resources: Tour and lecture on several off-shore islands

LECTURER: Mr. Stephen Marsh, THUMS

LA County Department of Sanitation - San Jose Creek Water Quality Lab: Tour of lab facilities, observe water quality testing, perform sample analyses, discuss career opportunities.

LECTURER: Mr. James Lehner, Section Head

Hyperion Treatment Plant: Tour facilities, observe testing procedures. Lecture on pollution problems, point sources, current legislation. Perform sample analyses.

LECTURER: Ms. Kay Yamamoto

Core Laboratories: Tour facilities, observe biochemical analysis techniques, latest equipment. Talk to researchers about current projects, educational background, career opportunities.

LECTURER: Greg Cook

Brown and Caldwell Labs: Tour facilities, observe analytical chemistry on site, latest equipment. Talk to researchers about current projects, educational background, career opportunities.

LECTURER: Mr. Jeff Erion

Tidelands Oil Production Co.: View oil clean-up techniques via boat and car, tour clean-up facilities, observe several techniques in action. Students receive samples of clean-up materials, talk to researchers about newest breakthroughs.

LECTURER: Mr. Mark Shemaria

LECTURER: Dr. Gene Cramer, Education Coordinator