PORTScast Calendar
Did PORTScasts just become your new favorite show?
Tune in with classrooms from around California to engage with a new park expert daily!
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.