Key to the Sea is a revolutionary marine environmental education program designed for teachers and elementary school children (K-5) throughout Los Angeles County.  Heal the Bay and our Partners educate teachers and students in watershed science and stewardship, stormwater pollution prevention, and marine conservation—through free teacher professional development workshops, hands-on classroom activities, and beach field trips (fees may apply).

Completing the Key to the Sea Program is as easy as 1-2-3. 

     

 

BOOK A FIELD TRIP

Contact one of the partnering aquariums to book a date and time for a Key to the Sea Field Trip to the beach.

Cabrillo Marine Aquarium
3720 Stephen M. White Drive, San Pedro, CA 90731
For reservations call: 310-548-7562

Roundhouse Aquarium Teaching Center
P.O. Box 1, Manhattan Beach, CA 90267
For reservations call: 310-379-8117

Heal the Bay Aquarium
1600 Ocean Front Walk
Santa Monica, CA 90401
For reservations, visit: https://healthebay.org/aquarium-field-trip-request/

For more information, please download this PDF.

Teacher Professional Development: The Key to the Sea program begins with teachers attending two hands-on and engaging workshops designed to familiarize them with the program’s content, activities, and logistics. The workshops are a wonderful way to inform teachers on current environmental issues and provide activities to use in the classroom.

SELECT A WORKSHOP

2025 – 2026 Workshop Dates & Times

Workshop #1: Saturday, October 25, 2025; (9 AM – 3 PM) @ Cabrillo Marine Aquarium

Target Audience: New K2S Teachers, Veteran Teachers

Teachers receive in-depth Instruction on:

    • Watershed Science & Stewardship
    • Stormwater Pollution Prevention
    • Marine Conservation
  • Pre- and post-field trip educational classroom activities
  • Multidisciplinary standards-based curriculum guide
    • Ready-to-use materials kit included

Register Here

Workshop #2: Saturday, February 7, 2026; (9 AM – 3 PM) @Heal the Bay Aquarium

Target Audience: Teachers who have completed Workshop 1, Veteran Teachers

Teachers receive more in-depth Instruction on:

      • Native/Local Marine Organisms
      • Specific Adaptations to the Sandy Beach
      • Waves & Tides
      • Seafood Sustainability
    • Pre- and post-field trip educational classroom activities
    • Multidisciplinary standards-based curriculum guide
    • “Make-And-Take” Teaching Tools

Register Here

Already completed Workshops 1 & 2? : Veteran Registration 

SHARE YOUR FEEDBACK

Completing the Evaluation Form is a required part of the Key to the Sea program. Please take a moment to share your thoughts on the Field Trip experience and its use in your classroom.  Select the evaluation link below that matches your last completed workshop.

2025-2026 program feedback:

  1. Workshop 1 Evaluation Form
  2. Workshop 2 and Veteran Evaluation Form

If you still haven’t completed 2024-2025 feedback:

Questions? Email: Robert Ramos – rramos@healthebay.org

Jump In!

Teacher and Student Benefits

Teacher Professional Development: The Key to the Sea program begins with teachers attending two hands-on and engaging workshops designed to familiarize them with the program’s content, activities, and logistics. The workshops are an excellent way to inform teachers on current environmental issues and provide activities to use in the classroom.

Workshop 1: Saturday, October 26, 2025; (9 AM – 3 PM)

Register Here 

  • Location: Cabrillo Marine Aquarium
  • Teachers Receive:
    • In-depth Instruction on:
      • Watershed Science & Stewardship
      • Stormwater Pollution Prevention
      • Marine Conservation
    • Pre- and post-field trip educational classroom activities
    • Multidisciplinary standards-based curriculum guide
      • Ready-to-use materials kit included

Workshop 2: Saturday, February 1, 2026; (9 AM – 3 PM)

Register Here 

  • Location: Heal the Bay Aquarium
  • Teachers Receive:
    • More in-depth Instruction on:
      • Native/Local Marine Organisms
      • Specific Adaptations to the Sandy Beach
      • Waves & Tides
      • Seafood Sustainability
    • Pre- and post-field trip educational classroom activities
    • Multidisciplinary standards-based curriculum guide
    • “Make-And-Take” Teaching Tools

Classroom Enrichment: Pre- and post-field trip activities provided to teachers at the Professional Development workshop accompany NGSS standards-aligned lesson plans and supplementary materials. Classroom enrichment reinforces and extends the learning experience, leading to a more meaningful learning experience for both students and the teacher.

Topics include:

  • Los Angeles area Watershed,
  • Marine Pollution and Debris
  • Storm Drain and Sewer Systems
  • Urban Runoff and Surface Permeability,
  • & Sandy Beach Habitat Ecology!

Field Trip for Kindergarten-5th Grade Classes: Students visit a local marine science center for our outdoor environmental education program on the beach. Led by naturalists trained by Heal the Bay and partnering facilities, children use scientific equipment to explore the beach through fun, hands-on, educational activities.

Sites include:

  • Cabrillo Marine Aquarium
    3720 Stephen M. White Drive, San Pedro, CA 90731
    (Fridays ONLY) For reservations call: 310-548-7562

 

The Beach Exploration activities are designed to encourage students to use their senses, enhance their observational skills, and deepen their understanding of wonder. They may also utilize scientific tools to survey the beach, dig for sand crabs and bean clams, and examine beach wrack. The children witness firsthand the marine pollution and debris, learn how it impacts marine life, and make connections to pollution prevention behaviors.