{"id":6623,"date":"2026-07-15T17:39:09","date_gmt":"2026-07-15T17:39:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/wrigley\/?page_id=6623"},"modified":"2026-07-17T20:46:30","modified_gmt":"2026-07-17T20:46:30","slug":"wmsc-educator-led-activities","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/wrigley\/visit-wrigley-marine-science-center-wmsc\/wmsc-educator-led-activities\/","title":{"rendered":"Educator-Led Activities at the Wrigley Marine Science Center"},"content":{"rendered":" \n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
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\n Think Outside the Classroom\n <\/h2>\n\n\n<\/div>\n \n \n
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Don’t just visit, explore!<\/p>\n

Our team of professional educators offer guided activities to immerse your class or group in the unique Catalina Island ecosystem. From up-close encounters with marine life to hikes on wilderness trails and more, let us enhance your stay with unforgettable experiences.<\/p>\n

Interested? Indicate the activities you want when you submit your reservation request.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n \n\n <\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n \n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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\n Touch Tank Experiences\n <\/h2>\n\n\n<\/div>\n \n \n
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Touch tank experiences introduce your group to a cross-section of Catalina’s underwater life. Participants learn about the interconnectedness of the island ecosystem through hands-on encounters with purple urchins, sea stars, giant marine snails, and more.<\/p>\n

These experiences are typically 45 minutes in length and take place in a sheltered location, so they are easy to add to your schedule at any time of day or year. They can also be coupled with a 45-minute campus tour that introduces you to the history of WMSC and our programs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n \n <\/div>\n\n

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\n Guided Hikes\n <\/h2>\n\n\n<\/div>\n \n \n
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Hikes get you out of the classroom or boardroom and into the wild for an up-close look at the Catalina Island landscape. With an expert guide to provide context, you’ll learn about island history, geology, wildlife, and botany. And the views can’t be beat!<\/p>\n

Excursions can be adjusted in length and level of difficulty to fit your group’s needs. Depending on your choice of trail, guided hikes typically last from 45 minutes to 2 1\/2 hours.<\/p>\n

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\n Guided Snorkels\n <\/h2>\n\n\n<\/div>\n \n \n
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Go deeper into ocean science with a guided snorkel in Big Fisherman Cove. Part of California’s Marine Protected Area Network for almost 50 years, the cove is a Mission Blue Hope Spot<\/a> and on the IUCN’s Green List<\/a> of exceptional global conservation locations.<\/p>\n

Your guide will introduce you to the life that thrives in our own biodiversity hotspot while helping you identify plant and animal species and understand their roles in the ecosystem. Snorkelers often see spiny lobsters; sheephead, blackjack, and Garibaldi fish; bat rays; sea turtles; giant sea bass; octopuses, and more.<\/p>\n

Snorkel groups are limited to 16 at a time, for safety reasons, but larger parties can be split into separate sessions. Groups that complete a daytime snorkel are eligible for night snorkels. This activity takes 2 1\/2-3 hours, and even non-swimmers can participate!<\/p>\n

Note: Self-guided snorkels are available for a small fee to defray the cost of gear.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n \n <\/div>\n\n

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\n Ocean Kayak Excursions\n <\/h2>\n\n\n<\/div>\n \n \n
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A guided ocean kayak excursion provides a tour of Big Fisherman Cove and nearby waters in the San Pedro Channel. Learn about Catalina Island’s remarkable geology, wildlife, rocky reefs, and kelp forests as you paddle. You might even get up close with some sea lions!<\/p>\n

Due to prevailing sea conditions, kayak excursions are offered in the morning only. Group size is limited to 32. This activity takes 2-3 hours, and no prior experience is needed. Even non-swimmers can participate!<\/p>\n

Note: Self-guided kayak excursions are available for a small fee to defray the cost of gear. Self-guided excursions are limited to mornings only and must stay in Big Fisherman Cove.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n \n <\/div>\n\n

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\n Plankton Labs\n <\/h2>\n\n\n<\/div>\n \n \n
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Plankton labs introduce your group to the tiny lifeforms teeming just below the ocean’s surface and to basic research and lab techniques.<\/p>\n

Educators will walk you through the process of collecting water samples, setting up microscope slides, identifying various species of plankton, and logging your data. All the while, you’ll learn how this remarkable group of plants, animals, and microbes support life throughout the ocean.<\/p>\n

These experiences typically take about 2 hours. Day and night labs are available – choose both to compare how environmental conditions such as light and temperature affect plankton species!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n \n <\/div>\n\n

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\n Hyperbaric Chamber Tours\n <\/h2>\n\n\n<\/div>\n \n \n
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The USC Catalina Hyperbaric Chamber<\/a>, located on the WMSC waterfront, is a life-saving medical facility that treats diving accidents. Take a tour to learn how hyperbaric medicine works and the ways we help keep divers safe along the coast of Southern California.<\/p>\n

Your group will step inside the treatment chamber, see a demonstration of the control panel, and learn about decompression sickness. You can even step into the role of patients and experience a chamber “dive” and decompression.<\/p>\n

This experience takes about 45 minutes. Chamber “dives” require advance medical clearance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n \n <\/div>\n\n

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\n Seasonal and Package Experiences\n <\/h2>\n\n\n<\/div>\n \n \n
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While the options above are offered year-round, other educator-led activities may be available on a seasonal basis. Options may include:<\/p>\n

Tidepool excursions<\/p>\n

Visits to the Catalina Island interior, including conservation facilities<\/p>\n

Campouts<\/p>\n

Excursions to Avalon or the Airport in the Sky<\/p>\n

…and more<\/p>\n

We can also work with you to design custom experiences that support your group’s educational, research, or enrichment goals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n \n <\/div>\n\n

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\n Book Your Visit\n <\/h2>\n\n\n<\/div>\n \n
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Don’t forget to request one or more educator-led activities on your reservation form! Your reservations specialist will follow up with you to plan specific dates and times based on group size, weather, and other factors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n

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\n\n \n \n \n\n Submit a reservation request \n <\/svg>\n<\/a>\n\n\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n\n\n <\/div><\/div>\n\n\n \n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
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