Classroom to Catalina

As warmer temperatures arrive and finals week concludes, University of Southern California (USC) students often take the much-deserved time off to travel, relax, and recharge. Some choose to further their studies, work summer jobs, or engage in hobbies. For those with a desire to learn more about the field of marine biology, an exceptional opportunity awaits. Just 22 miles off the coast lies the picturesque Catalina Island. Imagine spending four immersive weeks on this historic island, learning about marine biology and oceanography through hands-on experiences in one of Southern California’s most ecologically rich coastal environments. USC’s Maymester program provides students the opportunity to do just that. Hosted by the Wrigley Institute for Environmental and Sustainability (WEIS), this program offers undergraduate students a unique, month-long, captivating learning experience centered on our urban ocean. 

This year’s cohort of 37 students participated in four concurrent month-long courses including Methods in Marine Biology, Marine Microbiology, Coastal Zone Sustainability, and Coastal Environmental History. The program is hosted annually at the Wrigley Marine Science Center on Catalina Island, a location that WEIS describes as unique as it “provides unparalleled access to unspoiled nature systems close to areas heavily affected by human activity adjacent to the Los Angeles region.” The Methods in Marine Biology course, taught by USC Sea Grant’s Director, Dr. Karla Heidelberg, and USC Biology Professor, Dr. Noelle Held, provides students with access to cutting edge equipment and ship time to learn about data collection techniques both in the field and in the lab, experimental design, data analysis, and presentions of scientific findings. Furthermore, students engaged in cross-topic interactive lectures as part of other courses, which deepened their understanding of marine ecosystems and the processes that drive ocean life. And when they’re not training to become the next generation of scientists, there is an endless supply of recreational activities, including diving, snorkeling, hiking, kayaking, and exploring the local town.  

“The power of being on a hands-on island is that students are fully immersed in the environment they are learning about—they see it, touch it, smell it, every single day,” shares Dr. Held. “For many students, this is the longest amount of time they have spent interacting with the environment in this way, and I think this helps them develop as scientists and as people.”

From May to June 2025, the immersive setting offered daily opportunities for direct interaction with local marine flora and fauna, encouraging students to apply their classroom knowledge to real-world scientific questions. By the end of the program, the students gained valuable skills in critical thinking, teamwork, and scientific communication, preparing them for future research experiences and careers in the marine sciences. 

It’s no secret that this is one of USC’s most sought-after programs, and students who apply are eager to complete the rigorous academic curriculum in an energetic and motivating setting that’s known to inspire future career paths. That was true for Alice Yin, a rising sophomore in marine biology who participated in this year’s Maymester course and expressed that it “not only provided me with experiential marine science skills and more knowledge in the field, but most importantly, it showed me that marine biology is the educational career path that I want to pursue. It solidified my passion for the field.”

The four-week course is unique in that students, teaching assistants, and faculty members live and learn together as a single community on the island. Dr. David Ginsburg, USC professor in Environmental Studies and Maymester professor in Coastal Zone Sustainability, explains that “place-based immersive field experiences and early exposure to hands-on science and data-rich activities help students to strengthen their quantitative skills and can provide an important boost in advancing their future professional and/or academic careers. Likewise, for many of my students, participation in active learning field courses has significantly altered their educational trajectory to pursue additional STEM coursework and/or an advanced STEM degree.”

USC Sea Grant is a proud collaborator and leader in this course, as the class closely aligns with our program’s goals in workforce development by providing students with practical, career-relevant training in the marine sciences. By immersing students in field and laboratory research at the Wrigley Marine Science Center, they cultivate essential skills in data collection, scientific analysis, and communication—core competencies needed in the coastal and ocean workforce. “This hands-on experience prepares students not only for graduate education but also for roles in environmental consulting, marine resource management, conservation, and scientific research, all priority areas identified by USC Sea Grant,” explains Dr. Heidelberg.

Additionally, Maymester fosters early career exposure to interdisciplinary and collaborative science, reinforcing Sea Grant’s commitment to building a diverse and well-prepared workforce. The course’s environment encourages mentorship, critical thinking, and problem-solving in real-world contexts, helping to bridge the gap between academic learning and professional readiness. Gabriel Crothall, USC Dornsife chemistry major and member of the 2025 Maymester cohort, emphasized that  “there are truly no limits to what you can do in this program – from sampling off boats to hands-on lab work, the freedom to design and carry out my own marine research project with the full support of extremely passionate and knowledgeable professors made this one of the most unique and unforgettable experiences!”

By supporting programs like Maymester, USC Sea Grant advances its mission to inspire the next generation of scientists and decision-makers, equipping them with the tools needed to address pressing coastal and marine challenges. Among all our efforts, it is a privilege to share and inspire the common joy of loving our ocean.