PORTScast Calendar

When you visit the tidepools you see all adult animals, but where are the tidepool babies and how do they look? Observe their microscopic forms and find out more about the lifecycle of some of our favorite tidepool animals. Natural Bridges Marine Protected Area allows these animals to grow up.

Newspaper publisher William Randolph Hearst acquired a vast art collection for his estate in San Simeon, Ca. Students will go on a journey exploring the art and architecture of Hearst Castle including Roman artifacts, mosaics, paintings, tapestries, and more, all with a dash of California history. Your students will explore the gardens, pools, and historic structures with an interpretive guide. This all-ages program is adaptable to support art, history, & social science.

Unlock the mysteries of one of the world’s most fascinating organisms, the octopus! Join Park Interpreter Alex on the California coast for an engaging virtual field trip to Crystal Cove State Park’s Marine Protected Area and discover the fascinating adaptations octopuses use for survival. Students will discover a variety of octopus species while learning about animal defense mechanisms, life cycles, adaptations, human impacts, and how Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) are helping these curious and mesmerizing marine invertebrates.

Ever wondered what’s going on beneath your feet? Join California State Parks staff, where we’ll explore how the San Andreas Fault quite literally ‘rocks the bay’ at Tomales Bay State Park. Get ready to uncover Earth’s layers, crack into rock types, and explore how shifting plates and earthquakes have shaped Tomales Bay over millions of years. This program touches on geology, earth science, environmental studies, and natural history.

Join us on a virtual field trip to Crystal Cove State Park’s Marine Protected Area (MPA) to learn about tidepool habitats and the incredible adaptations that tidepool animals use to survive harsh environments where land meets the sea! Students explore topics including what is a habit, tides, adaptations, and defense mechanisms. Students also learn about Marine Protected Areas and how they help protect these fascinating and fragile tidepool ecosystems.

All aboard for the Westward Bound School Program. Students step back in time for a virtual tour of the historic Central Pacific Railroad Station and learn about the people who worked and traveled on the Transcontinental Railroad in the 1870s.

Hop on board the Horses to Horsepower Program at the California State Railroad Museum to experience what it was like to build the nation’s first Transcontinental Railroad! Your conductor will virtually escort you to five different stations to Hop onboard to learn about the building of the Transcontinental Railroad and about some of the men and women who made the railroad important to a growing nation and California.

Come meet Rubi the bear at Sugar Pine Point State Park. In this program we will explore the differences between wildland bears of the Tahoe backcountry and our mischievous city bears that have become more and more comfortable around humans. We will look at some characteristics and adaptations of these incredible creatures. For example, did you know that black bears in California can have a wide range of fur colors from black/dark brown to cinnamon blonde. We will also explore what our role is in keeping bears wild. We need to lock up our trash and litter less. We will play a flashcard guessing game about bear species that live all around the world.

What are salmon doing in the trees at Mendocino Headlands State Park? In this program we will learn about the salmon life cycle and what makes salmon one of nature’s best nutrient transporters, as well as play a game of Salmon Says!

Massive wildfires often make the news, but can a smaller fire be a forest friend? Students will be introduced to the complexity of fire, how we have influenced it, and how important it is for the world’s biggest individual tree, the giant sequoia!

Wrap up this year’s Earth Week by Celebrating Arbor Day with Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park! Join a State Parks Interpreter to learn about the history of Arbor Day and the importance of celebrating the world’s tallest tree, the coast redwood.

Spring time is an exciting time of year at Point Lobos! Harbor seals come ashore to have their pups. Join Interpreters Ashley and Isabella to take a closer look at the adaptations of these unique animals and how being in a marine reserve helps these animals survive. Students will also have the opportunity to think about what actions they can take to help protect these marine mammals.

Colonel Allen Allensworth was a man of great vision- a Civil War Veteran, Minister, City Planner and Leader of the Buffalo Soldiers (all-African American army regiments in the Western Frontier of the United States). In the twilight of his life he began builing his dream, the town of Allensworth. This program will be an introduction to architectural drawing and history at Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park. Break out your drawing pencils and sketchpads to take a closer look and drawing the historic landscapes and architecture at Allensworth. The Future ‘Parkitects’ of California!

Learn about the rich cultural, natural and historic importance of Humboldt Lagoons State Park! Join Interpreter Cochise on the Northern California coast to learn about how important the lagoons are to not just plants & animals, but Yurok people and Yurok culture. This program is for 3rd grade and above.

Join us at Gaviota State Park to learn about the species who have poked their head into the Santa Barbara Channel, but haven’t been seen much since. Were they the forward scouts of an incoming population or just one-off appearances of lone individuals? Together we’ll discuss these incredible species and have a look at the changing climate of the Santa Barbara region.

Join a State Park Interpreter from Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park to hear about the incredible story of the Marbled Murrelet. This seabird spends the far majority of its life floating along the coastline, but for a brief moment of their life, they can be seen dashing through the tops of redwoods. Join to learn more about this bird. Ultimately, this program will expand your knowledge of the Marbled Murrelet and what you can do to help them succeed!

Join us at Oceano Dunes SVRA for a virtual field trip to learn all about how sand dunes are formed! This program is designed for students 2nd-7th. We will learn how sand is formed, how our big sand dunes were made, and the plant and animal life that lives in this harsh environment!

When you visit the tidepools you see all adult animals, but where are the tidepool babies and how do they look? Observe their microscopic forms and find out more about the lifecycle of some of our favorite tidepool animals. Natural Bridges Marine Protected Area allows these animals to grow up.

Hop on board the Horses to Horsepower Program at the California State Railroad Museum to experience what it was like to build the nation’s first Transcontinental Railroad! Your conductor will virtually escort you to five different stations to Hop onboard to learn about the building of the Transcontinental Railroad and about some of the men and women who made the railroad important to a growing nation and California.

In this program, students will be introduced to the wonders of the giant sequoia and learn all about their cool adaptations. We will walk around part of a giant sequoia grove and discuss the complexity of these ancient trees and the mixed conifer forest as a whole.

During this program, your students will explore the mythology, the art, and the architecture of ancient civilizations. Statues such as the Egyptian goddess Sekhmet will transport students 3000 years back in history. The Neptune Pool will provide proof that the Greeks and Romans still influence our world today. Hearst Castle preserves a collection of art and artifacts that symbolizes the traditions and beliefs of these cultures. This program supports 6th-grade curriculum standards.

Join us along the Gaviota Coast to discover the importance of marine protected areas (MPA’s)! Throughout our program, we will examine a number of species likely to benefit from the MPAs, and explore the diverse underwater habitats we are working to protect!

Join us on a virtual field trip to Crystal Cove State Park’s Marine Protected Area (MPA) to learn about tidepool habitats and the incredible adaptations that tidepool animals use to survive harsh environments where land meets the sea! Students explore topics including what is a habit, tides, adaptations, and defense mechanisms. Students also learn about Marine Protected Areas and how they help protect these fascinating and fragile tidepool ecosystems.

Honor the history and diversity of the Asian American Pacific Islander immigrants that passed through the Angel Island Immigration Station from 1910-1940. Join Angel Island State Park and the Angel Island Immigration Station Foundation LIVE at the historic detention barracks as we delve into their stories. Submit questions through a Q&A feature; we might just be able to answer it!

Hop on board the Horses to Horsepower Program at the California State Railroad Museum to experience what it was like to build the nation’s first Transcontinental Railroad! Your conductor will virtually escort you to five different stations to Hop onboard to learn about the building of the Transcontinental Railroad and about some of the men and women who made the railroad important to a growing nation and California.

Explore and learn about the ancestral and modern life of the Chumash culture and people. Chumash descendants will share their cultural heritage, from traditional art and music to culinary practices and much more. Attendees will have the opportunity to engage with the speakers by asking questions, and gain a deeper appreciation for the resilience and contributions of the Chumash people both past and present. Join us for this enriching experience to celebrate and learn about the vibrant Chumash culture.

Learn about the rich cultural, natural and historic importance of Humboldt Lagoons State Park! Join Interpreter Cochise on the Northern California coast to learn about how important the lagoons are to not just plants & animals, but Yurok people and Yurok culture. This program is for 3rd grade and above.

Learn about the plants and animals that live in this coastal habitat. Join us at Gaviota State Park to discover why surf grass is important and how it helps ocean life.

Ever wondered what’s going on beneath your feet? Join California State Parks staff, where we’ll explore how the San Andreas Fault quite literally ‘rocks the bay’ at Tomales Bay State Park. Get ready to uncover Earth’s layers, crack into rock types, and explore how shifting plates and earthquakes have shaped Tomales Bay over millions of years. This program touches on geology, earth science, environmental studies, and natural history.

Join us at Carpinteria State Beach as we explore the animals found in our tidepools and how they survive the highs and lows of living in the tidal zones. We will discuss how certain physical features and behaviors help them find food, ward off predators, and thrive in a constantly changing environment.

Unlock the mysteries of one of the world’s most fascinating organisms, the octopus! Join Park Interpreter Alex on the California coast for an engaging virtual field trip to Crystal Cove State Park’s Marine Protected Area and discover the fascinating adaptations octopuses use for survival. Students will discover a variety of octopus species while learning about animal defense mechanisms, life cycles, adaptations, human impacts, and how Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) are helping these curious and mesmerizing marine invertebrates.

Join PORTS virtually for an accessible chair yoga session! Find peace and grounding from the comfort of your classroom or home. An opportunity to learn how to stretch the body and increase your flexibility with mindful movement. All you need is time and a chair to let all your stress drift out to sea.