Healthy Bay, Healthy LA Field Trips for K–12 Students
Help your students discover how the health of our neighborhoods, watersheds, and communities connects to the health of Santa Monica Bay!
Led by Heal the Bay educators, Healthy Bay, Healthy LA field trips take students beyond the classroom for hands-on environmental science at the beach. Students work together to investigate the coastal ecosystem, collect and analyze real data, and take action to protect our shared environment. Email to connect with an educator. 
What Will Students Do?
Grades: K–12
Location: Santa Monica Pier near the Heal the Bay Aquarium
Experience: Hands-on, outdoor environmental science
Learning approach: Student-centered field investigations
Standards: Designed to support Next Generation Science Standards + introduction into the Blue Workforce Development pipeline
Scheduling and pricing: Email for current options
Funding: Grant funding is often available for eligible Title I schools
Our educators will help you identify the right experience for your grade level, learning goals, group size, and scheduling needs.
Practice Science in the Field – Students become environmental scientists as they observe, collect evidence, analyze data, and consider solutions to real environmental challenges.
Investigate Water Quality – Students test water-quality indicators and explore how pollution affects people, wildlife, and environmental health across Los Angeles.
Monitor the Sandy Shore Ecosystem – Students investigate sand crabs and other indicator species to look for evidence about the health of our coastal ecosystem.
Study and Remove Marine Debris – Students collect, categorize, and analyze marine debris while taking direct action to protect the coast.
Explore Environmental Careers – Students meet environmental professionals and discover how science, education, conservation, advocacy, and community action can become careers protecting our Bay.
Activities may be adapted based on grade level, learning goals, group needs, weather, tides, and environmental conditions.
A healthy Bay starts upstream at school, at home, and throughout Los Angeles.
Throughout the field trip, students explore questions such as:
- How are our neighborhoods connected to the ocean?
- What can water quality tell us about environmental and public health?
- What can local species tell us about the health of an ecosystem?
- How does pollution travel through a watershed?
- How do scientists use evidence to understand environmental change?
- What actions can individuals and communities take to protect the coast?
Programs use student-centered teaching practices and are designed to support Next Generation Science Standards, Ocean Literacy Principles, and environmental stewardship.
Our provided Healthy Bay, Healthy LA Teacher Toolkit makes it easier to prepare your students and extend their learning.
Before Your Visit – Find teacher preparation materials, a shareable letter for families, student surveys, introductory videos, and resources for understanding our watershed.
Field Day – Review what to wear, what to bring, safety information, field investigations, and what students can expect during their visit.
After Your Visit – Continue the learning with reflection activities, student surveys, and opportunities to take action at school, at home, and in the community.
Field-trip pricing varies based on the selected program, group size, location, and scheduling needs. Contact our Education Team, and one of our educators will help you understand the available options and provide current pricing.
Heal the Bay often has grant funding available to help eligible Title I schools participate. Funding is limited and depends on current availability, so we encourage teachers to ask about support when submitting an inquiry.
Not sure whether your school qualifies? Reach out! We are happy to help you explore the available options.
Email to ask about pricing and funding.
Ready to bring your students to the coast? Tell us a little about your class, and a Heal the Bay educator will follow up with program recommendations, available dates, pricing, and potential funding opportunities.
Please be prepared to share:
- School and district
- Grade level
- Approximate number of students
- Preferred dates or time of year
- Learning goals or areas of interest
- Accessibility or accommodation needs
- Title I status, if applicable
Questions? Email education@healthebay.org.
