6-8 Archives - PORTS Program

Mission Life at San Juan Bautista

3-5, 6-8, 9-12, History, K-2, People, Places, PORTS Programs, San Juan Bautista State Historic Park

Mission Life at San Juan Bautista Learn about the rich history of mission life at San Juan Bautista State Historic Park with this captivating PORTS program for students of all ages. The program provides a thorough examination of the history of Spanish missions in... Read MoreRead more about Mission Life at San Juan Bautista

Fire and the Forest Lesson Plans (California Educators Together)

https://www.caeducatorstogether.org/projects/pdlrxb/fire-and-the-forest-6-8-grade-unit#new_tab

Fire and the Forest Lesson Plans (California Educators Together)

6-8, Calaveras Big Trees State Park, Climate, Instructional Resources, Plants, Science

https://www.caeducatorstogether.org/projects/pdlrxb/fire-and-the-forest-6-8-grade-unit Read MoreRead more about Fire and the Forest Lesson Plans (California Educators Together)

Presenter displays a sample of juvenile fish to a camera.

Why Watersheds Matter

3-5, 6-8, Humboldt Redwoods State Park, PORTS Programs

Why Watersheds Matter Join us at Humboldt Redwoods State Park as we learn why the tallest trees in the world rely on the Eel River watershed. California’s third largest state park is home to the largest contiguous old growth redwood forest in the world. Each tree can... Read MoreRead more about Why Watersheds Matter

Quiver Coloring App – California State Parks AR Coloring Pages

3-5, 6-8, Instructional Resources

Understanding Hydroelectricity at the Folsom Powerhouse

6-8, Folsom Powerhouse State Historic Park, History, People, Places, PORTS Programs, STEAM

Understanding Hydroelectricity at the Folsom Powerhouse Join us for an electrifying program about the power of the past here at Folsom Powerhouse State Historic Park! During this program, we will learn all about the three main elements: water (movement), magnets, and... Read MoreRead more about Understanding Hydroelectricity at the Folsom Powerhouse

Tule Elk Live Camera

3-5, 6-8, 9-12, Animals, Instructional Resources, K-2, Places, Tule Elk State Natural Reserve

Water: California’s Most Precious Resource

3-5, 6-8, 9-12, Climate, History, Millerton Lake State Recreation Area, Oceans and Watersheds, PORTS Programs

Water: California’s Most Precious Resource Come along as we explore how agriculture in California’s Central Valley demand for water led to the creation of one of the world's largest water infrastructure projects to quench the industries thirst. In this program... Read MoreRead more about Water: California’s Most Precious Resource

Industrial History of Corral Hollow: From Coal to Clay

3-5, 6-8, 9-12, Carnegie State Vehicular Recreation Area, History, People, Places, PORTS Programs

Industrial History of Corral Hollow: From Coal to Clay PORTS Program registration begins Monday, August 24 at 3:30 pm! Join us for a trip back in time to over 125 years ago to the first coal mines in California and the long lost Brick Factory at Carnegie State... Read MoreRead more about Industrial History of Corral Hollow: From Coal to Clay

Ethnic Studies Lesson: The Life and Legacy of Pío Pico, The Last Governor of Mexican California

6-8, 9-12, Arts and Culture, History, Instructional Resources, People, Pio Pico State Historic Park, State Parks

Ethnic Studies Lesson: Exploring Colonel Allensworth, A Historic Journey Through Time

6-8, 9-12, Arts and Culture, Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park, History, Instructional Resources, People, State Parks

Ethnic Studies Lesson: Exploring Alaxuluxen and Chumash Heritage

6-8, 9-12, Arts and Culture, Chumash Painted Cave State Historic Park, History, Instructional Resources, People, State Parks

Working Hands: The Labor that Built the California Dream

3-5, 6-8, 9-12, California Citrus State Historic Park, History, People, Places, Plants, PORTS Programs

Working Hands: The Labor that Built the California Dream Explore the work and the workers that created the massive success of the California citrus industry. Follow your guide through the citrus groves and packing house to learn about the contributions of various... Read MoreRead more about Working Hands: The Labor that Built the California Dream

Japanese History Project: Japanese Farm Sites at Crystal Cove State Park

6-8, 9-12, Arts and Culture, Crystal Cove State Park, History, Instructional Resources, People, State Parks

Screenshot of virtual exhibit for japanese community voices at Crystal Cove

Interactive Virtual Exhibit: Japanese American Pioneering Community at Crystal Cove State Park

6-8, 9-12, Arts and Culture, Crystal Cove State Park, History, Instructional Resources, People, State Parks

Bridge over Lake Oroville with trees in background

The Smallest Superheroes

3-5, 6-8, Animals, Bidwell-Sacramento River State Park, Oceans and Watersheds, PORTS Programs, Science, STEAM

The Smallest Superheroes Decomposers benefit the web of life. Step into the world of decomposers and decomposition; The world’s tiniest superheroes live in and on the dirt and are known as decomposers. These tiny but mighty creatures benefit our environment thanks to... Read MoreRead more about The Smallest Superheroes

Travelers of the Sierra Nevada Mountains

3-5, 6-8, Animals, Donner Memorial State Park, History, People, Places, Plants, PORTS Programs, Science

Travelers of the Sierra Nevada Mountains PORTS Program registration begins Monday, August 24 at 3:30 pm! Join a Donner Memorial State Park Interpreter sharing stories of the diversity of people who came through the Donner Lake area in the Sierra Nevada... Read MoreRead more about Travelers of the Sierra Nevada Mountains

Collections Show and Tell with Chino Hills State Park

3-5, 6-8, Animals, Chino Hills State Park, History, K-2, Places, Plants, PORTS Programs, Science, STEAM

Collections Show and Tell with Chino Hills State Park Take a casual virtual visit into Chino Hills State Park history and nature with interpreter Shelly In this 30 minute program. We will look at bones, plant and bug specimens, art exhibits, and the park itself. We... Read MoreRead more about Collections Show and Tell with Chino Hills State Park

Cardboard box filled with assorted bird elements including nests and bird feathers. labeled "bird migration" on the front.

Bird Migration with Chino Hills State Park

6-8, 9-12, Animals, Chino Hills State Park, Climate, Places, PORTS Programs, Science, STEAM

Bird Migration with Chino Hills State Park Migratory Birds have been a main visitor to Chino Hills State Park since before its inception. Come visit the park in this virtual program to learn about which seasonal birds come to breed here and which come to winter here.... Read MoreRead more about Bird Migration with Chino Hills State Park

Geology at Tomales Bay: Tectonic Plates, Fault Lines, and Rocks

3-5, 6-8, History, Oceans and Watersheds, People, PORTS Programs, Science, STEAM, Tomales Bay State Park

Geology at Tomales Bay: Tectonic Plates, Fault Lines, and Rocks Ever wondered what’s going on beneath your feet? Join California State Parks staff for a 45-minute virtual geology program exploring how the San Andreas Fault quite literally ‘rocks the bay’ at Tomales... Read MoreRead more about Geology at Tomales Bay: Tectonic Plates, Fault Lines, and Rocks

Program presenter holding a strand of kelp with the ocean in the background

Help the Kelp!

6-8, Animals, Mendocino Headlands State Park, Oceans and Watersheds, PORTS Programs, Science, STEAM

Help the Kelp! PORTS Program registration begins Monday, August 24 at 3:30 pm! Dive into kelp forest ecology and conservation at Mendocino Headlands State Park! In this program we will learn all about keystone and endangered species, kelp forest food webs and... Read MoreRead more about Help the Kelp!

Community Voices: Japanese American Experiences at Crystal Cove State Park

6-8, 9-12, Arts and Culture, Crystal Cove State Park, History, Instructional Resources, People, State Parks

In Person Field Trip to Hendy Woods State Park

3-5, 6-8, 9-12, Animals, Blended-Access Field Trips, Climate, Hendy Woods State Park, K-2, Places, Plants, Science

In Person Field Trip to Hendy Woods State Park In Person Field Trip to Hendy Woods State Park Located in Anderson Valley, along Highway 128, Hendy Woods acts as a great stop for those traveling any distance from inland locations to reach the coast. Our educational... Read MoreRead more about In Person Field Trip to Hendy Woods State Park

In-Person Field Trips at Silverwood Lake State Recreation Area

3-5, 6-8, 9-12, Animals, Blended-Access Field Trips, Climate, History, Places, Plants, Science, Silverwood Lake State Recreation Area

In-Person Field Trips at Silverwood Lake State Recreation Area Explore the Water Cycle at Silverwood Lake SRA! During this two hour fieldtrip, students will learn where all of California's water comes from, through the establishment of The California Water Project.... Read MoreRead more about In-Person Field Trips at Silverwood Lake State Recreation Area

Wild Adaptations with Chino Hills State Park

3-5, 6-8, 9-12, Animals, Chino Hills State Park, Plants, PORTS Programs, Science, STEAM

Wild Adaptations with Chino Hills State Park Explore plant and animal adaptations within different five habitats. In this 45-minute virtual visit, students will learn about habitats found throughout the Southern California region and which animal and plant adaptations... Read MoreRead more about Wild Adaptations with Chino Hills State Park

An ocean cove at Point Lobos State Natural Reserve with a rocky shoreline covered in brush.

Kayak Quest: Explore Above and Below the Ocean’s Surface

3-5, 6-8, Animals, Climate, K-2, Oceans and Watersheds, Plants, Point Lobos State Natural Reserve, PORTS Programs, Science

Kayak Quest: Explore Above and Below the Ocean’s Surface Join us for an unforgettable kayaking adventure at the “crown jewel of the California State Park System”, Point Lobos State Natural Reserve. We will paddle above the enchanting underwater kelp forest in... Read MoreRead more about Kayak Quest: Explore Above and Below the Ocean’s Surface

A bear with a white tag labeled 278 in its left ear looks at the camera from its perch in a pine tree.

Tahoe’s Urban Bears

3-5, 6-8, 9-12, Animals, Climate, Ed Z'berg Sugar Pine Point State Park, K-2, People, PORTS Programs

Tahoe’s Urban Bears PORTS Program registration begins Monday, August 24 at 3:30 pm! 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... Read MoreRead more about Tahoe’s Urban Bears

Salmon and Sediment: Fueling the Redwood Forest

3-5, 6-8, 9-12, Animals, Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park, Oceans and Watersheds, Plants, PORTS Programs

Salmon and Sediment: Fueling the Redwood Forest Learn about the anadromous life cycle of Salmon living on the north coast of California. These fish, and many other systems, connect the Redwood Forest to the Pacific Ocean. Maybe, your classroom can reflect on your... Read MoreRead more about Salmon and Sediment: Fueling the Redwood Forest

Cardboard box filled with animal artifacts labeled "wild journals" with trees in the background.

Wild Journals with Chino Hills State Park

3-5, 6-8, 9-12, Animals, Arts and Culture, Chino Hills State Park, K-2, People, Places, PORTS Programs, Science, STEAM

Wild Journals with Chino Hills State Park Learn different journaling techniques while watching wildlife and exploring habitats. In this 45-minute virtual STEAM visit, students will learn about nature, literary, and science journals. Each journal concept builds... Read MoreRead more about Wild Journals with Chino Hills State Park

In-Person Field Trip: Half Moon Bay State Park

3-5, 6-8, 9-12, Animals, Blended-Access Field Trips, Climate, Half Moon Bay State Beach, K-2, Oceans and Watersheds, Places, Plants, Science

In-Person Field Trip: Half Moon Bay State Park Welcome teachers! There are 4 different field trip offerings available at Half Moon Bay. Please read the descriptions below for details about subjects, grade levels, and locations! Want to find more PassPORTS Programs?... Read MoreRead more about In-Person Field Trip: Half Moon Bay State Park

In-Person Field Trip: The Language of the Forest

3-5, 6-8, 9-12, Blended-Access Field Trips, Climate, Mount San Jacinto State Park, Places, Science

In-Person Field Trip: The Language of the Forest Transport your students to the high-altitudes of Mt. San Jacinto State Park and Wilderness via the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, the world's longest and steepest rotating car! Through sensory exploration, this program... Read MoreRead more about In-Person Field Trip: The Language of the Forest

In-Person Field Trip: Ya’i Heki’ Regional Indian Museum Tour

3-5, 6-8, 9-12, Arts and Culture, Blended-Access Field Trips, History, K-2, Lake Perris State Recreation Area, People

In-Person Field Trip: Ya’i Heki’ Regional Indian Museum Tour Explore the Regional Indian Museum at Lake Perris! Ya'i Heki' Regional Indian Museum TourStudents will learn about the history and culture of the tribal groups represented at the Ya'i Heki'... Read MoreRead more about In-Person Field Trip: Ya’i Heki’ Regional Indian Museum Tour

Mount Tamalpais In-Person Field Trip

3-5, 6-8, 9-12, Animals, Blended-Access Field Trips, History, Mount Tamalpais State Park, People, Places, Plants

Mount Tamalpais In-Person Field Trip Explore the Panoramic Mount Tam! ount Tamalpais State Park is a large, beautiful mountain park in Marin County. Though not far from the heart of San Francisco, Mt Tam, as it is affectionately nicknamed, offers miles and miles of... Read MoreRead more about Mount Tamalpais In-Person Field Trip

a white lighthouse with small white house with red roof and two chimneys on the edge of a cliff with the ocean on the left.

Lighthouse Engineer Challenge

6-8, Animals, Climate, Oceans and Watersheds, Pigeon Point Light Station State Historic Park, Places, PORTS Programs, Science, STEAM

Lighthouse Engineer Challenge Lighthouses do all kinds of jobs all over the world! This 45 minute program challenges students to become lighthouse engineers. Students will learn about the technology and engineering that goes into building and operating a lighthouse.... Read MoreRead more about Lighthouse Engineer Challenge

State Capitol Exploration

3-5, 6-8, 9-12, Arts and Culture, California State Capitol Museum, History, K-2, People, Places, PORTS Programs

State Capitol Exploration Take your students on a LIVE journey discussing California's past & present through the halls of the State Capitol Museum in Sacramento. Subjects discussed may include California History, Capitol History, and the modern-day basics of the... Read MoreRead more about State Capitol Exploration

Calaveras State Park In-Person Field Trip

3-5, 6-8, 9-12, Animals, Blended-Access Field Trips, Calaveras Big Trees State Park, K-2, Places, Plants, Science

Calaveras State Park In-Person Field Trip Explore Calaveras Big Trees State Park! School fieldtrips to Calaveras Big Trees are offered through the California Big Trees Association. Both guided and self-guided options are available for booking. Reservations can be made... Read MoreRead more about Calaveras State Park In-Person Field Trip

Tall pine trees on a mountain top covered with snow

Footprints of the Forest

3-5, 6-8, Animals, Climate, Mount San Jacinto State Park, Places, PORTS Programs

Footprints of the Forest Join us for a high-altitude virtual field trip up the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway to Mount San Jacinto State PArk and Wilderness! In the first state wilderness in California, things are *extra* wild and need your help in keeping it that way.... Read MoreRead more about Footprints of the Forest

Humboldt Stone Lagoon Visitor Center Cochise

Stewards of the Lagoon at Chah-pekw O’-Ket’-toh “Stone Lagoon”

3-5, 6-8, Arts and Culture, Humboldt Lagoons State Park, People, Places, PORTS Programs

Stewards of the Lagoon at Chah-pekw O’-Ket’-toh “Stone Lagoon” Humboldt Lagoons State Park is beautiful park with a unique ecosystem, culture and history. This program ties together these places with Yurok perspectives on this park and Yurok... Read MoreRead more about Stewards of the Lagoon at Chah-pekw O’-Ket’-toh “Stone Lagoon”

Eel River Escapade

3-5, 6-8, 9-12, Animals, K-2, Oceans and Watersheds, Places, PORTS Programs, Richardson Grove State Park, Science

Eel River Escapade Join us in learning about the Eel River watershed from Richardson Grove State Park! Watersheds are all around us and are made up of so many biotic and abiotic factors that work together to create a healthy watershed ecosystem. In this program we... Read MoreRead more about Eel River Escapade

Olompali State Historic Park In-Person Field Trip

3-5, 6-8, 9-12, Arts and Culture, Blended-Access Field Trips, History, Olompali State Historic Park, People, Places

Olompali State Historic Park In-Person Field Trip Explore Olompali State Historic Park! Two guided field trip types are offered at Olompali State Historic Park, and each can be tailored to meet educational needs and student abilities. Teachers who would like to... Read MoreRead more about Olompali State Historic Park In-Person Field Trip

Monarch Butterfly PORTS Program: Middle School Grades 6th – 8th

6-8, Pismo State Beach, Previous Broadcasts

Salmon and their North Coast Redwood Habitat

6-8, Previous Broadcasts, State Parks

Celebrate Asian Pacific American Heritage Month at Angel Island State Historic Park!

6-8, Angel Island State Park, Previous Broadcasts

Explore Human Impacts on the Environment at Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook

6-8, Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook, Previous Broadcasts

Exploring Hearst Castle Art & Architecture

6-8, Hearst Castle at Hearst San Simeon State Historical Monument, Previous Broadcasts

Kelp & Keystone Species at Van Damme State Beach

6-8, Previous Broadcasts, Van Damme State Park

Discover Great White Sharks in San Clemente State Beach!

6-8, Previous Broadcasts, San Clemente State Beach

Careers Past & Present at Sutter’s Fort State Historic Park

6-8, Previous Broadcasts, Sutter's Fort State Historic Park

Land, Lake & Life at Lake Tahoe!

6-8, Ed Z'berg Sugar Pine Point State Park, Previous Broadcasts

Marine Mammal Adaptations at Mac Kerricher State Park!

3-5, 6-8, 9-12, K-2, MacKerricher State Park, Previous Broadcasts

Redwood Heroes at Humboldt Redwoods State Park

3-5, 6-8, 9-12, Humboldt Redwoods State Park, K-2, Previous Broadcasts

Visit California Railroad Museum!

3-5, 6-8, 9-12, K-2, Previous Broadcasts, State Parks

Storytime “Bear Came Along” at Sugar Pine Pint State Park

3-5, 6-8, 9-12, Ed Z'berg Sugar Pine Point State Park, K-2, Previous Broadcasts

“Luna & Me” Story Time in the Ancient Redwoods

3-5, 6-8, 9-12, Humboldt Redwoods State Park, K-2, Previous Broadcasts

Anza-Borrego Desert State Park Padlet

https://padlet.com/anzaborrego/questions#new_tab

Anza-Borrego Desert State Park Padlet

3-5, 6-8, 9-12, Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, Instructional Resources, K-2

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a giant green anemone in a tidepool surrounded by mussels

Tidepool Exploration at Natural Bridges State Beach

3-5, 6-8, 9-12, Animals, K-2, Natural Bridges State Beach, PORTS Programs, Science

Tidepool Exploration at Natural Bridges State Beach During this program, you and your students will discover tidepool adaptations and zonation at Natural Bridges State Beach. This hour-long program will guide you and your students through the intertidal zone and the... Read MoreRead more about Tidepool Exploration at Natural Bridges State Beach

In-Person Field Trips at Ano Nuevo

3-5, 6-8, 9-12, Animals, Año Nuevo State Park, Blended-Access Field Trips

In-Person Field Trips at Ano Nuevo State Parks Docents introduce students to the evolutionary history and adaptations of the northern elephant seals of Año Nuevo State Reserve with a rookery visit during the busy winter breeding season. Tours are required for viewing... Read MoreRead more about In-Person Field Trips at Ano Nuevo

Geology at Castle Rock

3-5, 6-8, 9-12, Animals, Castle Rock State Park, People, Places, PORTS Programs, Science

Geology at Castle Rock Students can explore the natural wonders of Castle Rock State Park from the comfort of their own classroom and can even take a virtual hike guided by our staff interpreter to Castle Rock, the park’s namesake rock formation. Our virtual field... Read MoreRead more about Geology at Castle Rock

Why Do Redwoods Live Here?

3-5, 6-8, 9-12, Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park, K-2, Plants, PORTS Programs, Science

Why Do Redwoods Live Here? Henry Cowell RSP is home to an abundance of biodiversity and during your virtual field trip you'll have a chance to explore a glimpse of some of Henry Cowell's most precious natural, cultural, and historic resources. This program is... Read MoreRead more about Why Do Redwoods Live Here?

a close up of a beetle with black and white stripes on a light yellow leave

Explore the Coastal Sandhill Habitat

3-5, 6-8, 9-12, Animals, Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park, K-2, Plants, PORTS Programs, Science

Explore the Coastal Sandhill Habitat Explore one of the most sensitive and endangered ecosystems in the greater Santa Cruz area, the Santa Cruz Sandhills. This habitat does not support Coast Redwood trees, but instead, a community of unique plants and animals, many of... Read MoreRead more about Explore the Coastal Sandhill Habitat

monarch butterflies hanging onto tree leaves, barely leaving enough space to see the leaves.

Virtual Monarch Butterflies Grove Tour

3-5, 6-8, 9-12, Animals, K-2, Natural Bridges State Beach, Plants, PORTS Programs, Science

Virtual Monarch Butterflies Grove Tour Come visit Natural Bridges virtually! During this program, your students will have the chance to discover the life cycle, migration, adaptations, and conservation of monarch butterflies here at Natural Bridges and all across... Read MoreRead more about Virtual Monarch Butterflies Grove Tour

Cultures in Conflict at Santa Cruz Mission State Historic Park

3-5, 6-8, 9-12, History, People, Places, PORTS Programs, Santa Cruz Mission State Historic Park

Cultures in Conflict at Santa Cruz Mission State Historic Park Virtually walk through the adobe building at Santa Cruz Mission State Historic Park to understand the impacts of the California mission system on the world of Ohlone and Yokuts people. This one-hour... Read MoreRead more about Cultures in Conflict at Santa Cruz Mission State Historic Park

Explore Immigration History with Angel Island State Park

3-5, 6-8, 9-12, Angel Island State Park

Photo of historic classroom at Allensworth State Historic Park

Allensworth: A California African American Town

3-5, 6-8, 9-12, Arts and Culture, Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park, History, People, Places, PORTS Programs

Allensworth: A California African American Town Welcome to Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park, a town founded, financed and governed by African Americans. In 1908, Colonel Allen Allensworth and four other settlers established a town in California’s Great Central... Read MoreRead more about Allensworth: A California African American Town

Built to Last: Coast Redwood Adaptations

3-5, 6-8, Animals, Climate, Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park, K-2, Plants, PORTS Programs, Science

Built to Last: Coast Redwood Adaptations Rooted in Survival is an exciting virtual field trip that brings the wonders of Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park straight to your classroom or learning space! Designed for students in grades K–8, this live online science... Read MoreRead more about Built to Last: Coast Redwood Adaptations

Leo Carrillo State Park In-Person Field Trip!

3-5, 6-8, 9-12, Animals, Blended-Access Field Trips, Leo Carrillo State Park, Places, Plants, Science

Leo Carrillo State Park In-Person Field Trip! Explore Leo Carrillo State Park! The tidepools of Leo Carrillo are an incredibly unique place where many plants and animals live together under extreme conditions. Meeting on the edge of the Santa Monica Mountains in... Read MoreRead more about Leo Carrillo State Park In-Person Field Trip!

Tule Elk: One of California’s Largest Land Mammals

3-5, 6-8, 9-12, Animals, History, K-2, People, Places, PORTS Programs, Science, Tule Elk State Natural Reserve

Tule Elk: One of California’s Largest Land Mammals The Tule Elk State Natural Reserve protects a small herd of tule elk, an endemic California subspecies of elk once hunted nearly to extinction. Tule elk once dominated the deer and pronghorn population that... Read MoreRead more about Tule Elk: One of California’s Largest Land Mammals

Connecting with Ancient Civilizations at Hearst Castle

6-8, 9-12, Arts and Culture, Hearst Castle at Hearst San Simeon State Historical Monument, History, People, PORTS Programs

Connecting with Ancient Civilizations at Hearst Castle During this 45-60 min 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... Read MoreRead more about Connecting with Ancient Civilizations at Hearst Castle

Humboldt Redwoods State Park In-Person Field Trips

3-5, 6-8, 9-12, Animals, Blended-Access Field Trips, Humboldt Redwoods State Park, K-2, People, Places, Science

Humboldt Redwoods State Park In-Person Field Trips Explore Humboldt Redwoods State Park! Join us for a 2-3 hour guided field trip at Humboldt Redwoods State Park! Before your field trip, you will get to choose activities that will fit the unit standards and... Read MoreRead more about Humboldt Redwoods State Park In-Person Field Trips

Days of Alta California at San Juan Bautista State Historic Park (English or Spanish)

3-5, 6-8, 9-12, Arts and Culture, History, Latino Heritage Month, People, Places, PORTS Programs, San Juan Bautista State Historic Park

Days of Alta California at San Juan Bautista State Historic Park (English or Spanish) PORTS Program registration begins Monday, August 24 at 3:30 pm! Bienvenidos! This program explores Mexican Alta California and its people in a 40-minute discovery of San Juan... Read MoreRead more about Days of Alta California at San Juan Bautista State Historic Park (English or Spanish)

A great white shark smiles for the camera.

Sharks: Fact or Fiction?

3-5, 6-8, Animals, Carpinteria State Beach, Climate, K-2, Oceans and Watersheds, People, Places, PORTS Programs, Science

Sharks: Fact or Fiction? Through a fun and interactive program, students will identify facts from misconceptions about one of the ocean’s most interesting predators, sharks! During the program, we will discuss shark physiology, adaptations, sharks on the Pacific... Read MoreRead more about Sharks: Fact or Fiction?

a large elephant seal snoozing on its side on the sand. Other elephant seals lay in the background at the beach

Birth, Blubber, and Battle: How Elephant Seals Survive as Mammals with Año Nuevo State Park

3-5, 6-8, 9-12, Animals, Año Nuevo State Park, K-2, Places, PORTS Programs, Science

Birth, Blubber, and Battle: How Elephant Seals Survive as Mammals with Año Nuevo State Park This virtual field trip takes place in the Año Nuevo State Park preserve where we'll have the chance to discuss the behavior, lifecycle and adaptations of the Northern elephant... Read MoreRead more about Birth, Blubber, and Battle: How Elephant Seals Survive as Mammals with Año Nuevo State Park

Black and white photo of a gentleman using a long stick to pull tar from a barrel.

Tar, Not Just a Nuisance!

3-5, 6-8, Animals, Carpinteria State Beach, Climate, History, Oceans and Watersheds, People, Places, Plants, PORTS Programs, Science

Tar, Not Just a Nuisance! Let’s discover the active tar seeps at Carpinteria State Beach! Students will learn about why and how tar continues to seep on our coast. We will then observe a series of historical or modern scenes of tar and discuss and decide whether this... Read MoreRead more about Tar, Not Just a Nuisance!

Stop! Hammer Time!: Blacksmithing in 19th Century San Diego

3-5, 6-8, Arts and Culture, History, Old Town San Diego State Historic Park, People, Places, PORTS Programs, Science, STEAM

Stop! Hammer Time!: Blacksmithing in 19th Century San Diego Step into the past as you follow us on an awesome adventure through an 1800 blacksmith shop at Old Town Old town San Diego State Historic Park. In this program students can discover the history, origins, and... Read MoreRead more about Stop! Hammer Time!: Blacksmithing in 19th Century San Diego

In-Person Field Trips to Angel Island State Park

3-5, 6-8, 9-12, Angel Island State Park, Arts and Culture, Blended-Access Field Trips, History, People, Places

In-Person Field Trips to Angel Island State Park Explore - Angel Island State Park's Immigration Station The walls of the detention barracks at the U.S. Immigration Station, Angel Island are filled with poetry, written and carved by immigrants expressing their... Read MoreRead more about In-Person Field Trips to Angel Island State Park

State Park Off Highway Vehicles (OHV) interpreter stands in front of a side-by-side vehicle wearing a black helmet, red mirrored googles, and holding an incident report on a clipboard.

Prairie City Physics Detectives

6-8, PORTS Programs, Prairie City State Vehicular Recreation Area, Science, STEAM

Prairie City Physics Detectives Join us as we explore off-highway vehicles and apply physics concepts at Prairie City State Vehicular Recreation Area! In this program we will learn about off-highway vehicle safety and even calculate speed and acceleration of a moving... Read MoreRead more about Prairie City Physics Detectives

In-Person Field Trips to California Citrus State Park

3-5, 6-8, 9-12, Blended-Access Field Trips, California Citrus State Historic Park, History, K-2, People, Places, Plants

In-Person Field Trips to California Citrus State Park Explore - California Citrus State Historic Park! During this 2 hour multisensory tour, participants will learn how California's second gold rush (citrus) helped shape and develop California today, the... Read MoreRead more about In-Person Field Trips to California Citrus State Park

Explore Life in 1850s California at a Frontier Army Post

3-5, 6-8, 9-12, Fort Tejon State Historic Park, History, People, Places, PORTS Programs

Explore Life in 1850s California at a Frontier Army Post This program at Fort Tejon State Historic Park provides a glimpse of life in frontier California in the 1850s through the lens of a remote mountain Army post. Various historical topics are presented including... Read MoreRead more about Explore Life in 1850s California at a Frontier Army Post

Underwater Creatures of the Marine Protected Areas

3-5, 6-8, 9-12, Animals, Gaviota State Beach, K-2, Oceans and Watersheds, Places, Plants, PORTS Programs, Science

Underwater Creatures of the Marine Protected Areas 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... Read MoreRead more about Underwater Creatures of the Marine Protected Areas

Interpreter stands in front of large redwood tree trunk. She's looking at a device on a tripod, interpreting to kids about the redwoods.

Redwood Resilience: Forged by Fire and Fog

3-5, 6-8, K-2, People, Places, Plants, PORTS Programs, Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park, Science

Redwood Resilience: Forged by Fire and Fog Join a state parks interpreter from Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park for a virtual field trip to the redwoods! Nestled on California’s north coast, Prairie Creek protects 14,000 acres of old growth redwood forest and... Read MoreRead more about Redwood Resilience: Forged by Fire and Fog

All About Acorns: A California Staple

3-5, 6-8, Arts and Culture, History, K-2, People, Places, Plants, PORTS Programs, State Indian Museum State Historic Park

All About Acorns: A California Staple Explore a traditional food staple of California Native Peoples before European contact. We will examine the history of Indigenous peoples of California and their deep, enduring connection to the land. Learn how acorns, known... Read MoreRead more about All About Acorns: A California Staple

Redwoods, Earth Cycles and Climate Change

3-5, 6-8, 9-12, Climate, Hendy Woods State Park, Places, Plants, PORTS Programs, Science, STEAM

Redwoods, Earth Cycles and Climate Change PORTS Program registration begins Monday, August 24 at 3:30 pm! Redwoods, Earth Cycles and Climate Change: (Recommended for grades 5th-12th) As the keepers of a complex ecosystem, the coast redwoods interact with our... Read MoreRead more about Redwoods, Earth Cycles and Climate Change

Experience the Art and Architecture of Hearst Castle

6-8, 9-12, Arts and Culture, Hearst Castle at Hearst San Simeon State Historical Monument, History, People, Places, PORTS Programs

Experience the Art and Architecture of Hearst Castle 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... Read MoreRead more about Experience the Art and Architecture of Hearst Castle

Redwood Anatomy and Adaptations

3-5, 6-8, 9-12, Climate, Hendy Woods State Park, Oceans and Watersheds, Plants, PORTS Programs, Science, STEAM

Redwood Anatomy and Adaptations PORTS Program registration begins Monday, August 24 at 3:30 pm! Towering above all else that grows in nature, the coast redwood is a marvel among trees. Able to survive for over 2,000 years, these gentle giants display a wealth... Read MoreRead more about Redwood Anatomy and Adaptations

The Yurok People Are Still Here

3-5, 6-8, 9-12, Animals, History, K-2, People, Places, Plants, PORTS Programs, Sue-Meg State Park

The Yurok People Are Still Here A virtual walk through Sue-meg Village with 3 stops: the Yurok Redwood Living House, Dress House, and The Sweat House. As we visit each stop, students can explore the different uses of each Redwood structure and learn about traditional... Read MoreRead more about The Yurok People Are Still Here

An interpretive ranger stands on the beach smiling at the camera, holding a model of a blue sea jellie, with a videoconferencing device on a tripod to her left. The waves in the background are crashing on the shore.

Jellies: Sensational Stinging Survivalists

3-5, 6-8, Animals, K-2, Oceans and Watersheds, People, Places, PORTS Programs, San Elijo State Beach, Science

Jellies: Sensational Stinging Survivalists Jellies (aka jellyfish) have amazing adaptations that allow them to thrive throughout our world's ocean. From surface waters to the deepest depths, from the warm tropics to the chilly poles, join us at San Elijo State Beach... Read MoreRead more about Jellies: Sensational Stinging Survivalists

Richardson Grove In-Person Field Trips

3-5, 6-8, 9-12, Blended-Access Field Trips, Places, Plants, Richardson Grove State Park, Science

Richardson Grove In-Person Field Trips Explore Richardson Grove State Park! It began with 120 acres, but with the help of Save the Redwoods League and other generous donors, the park has grown to 1,800 acres. A four-hour drive from San Francisco, the park... Read MoreRead more about Richardson Grove In-Person Field Trips

In-Person Field trip to MacKerricher State Park!

3-5, 6-8, 9-12, Animals, Blended-Access Field Trips, K-2, MacKerricher State Park, Places, Plants, Science

In-Person Field trip to MacKerricher State Park! Explore MacKerricher State Park! Bring your learning to life with an in-person field trip to MacKerricher State Park. On your field trip, you and your students will join Interpreter Kat Gabrielson for a guided hike... Read MoreRead more about In-Person Field trip to MacKerricher State Park!

Refugio State Beach In-Person Field Trip!

3-5, 6-8, 9-12, Animals, Arts and Culture, Blended-Access Field Trips, K-2, Places, Plants, Refugio State Beach, Science

Refugio State Beach In-Person Field Trip! Explore Refugio State Beach! Gaviota and Refugio State Beaches are ideal places to explore marine protected areas, sandy beaches, coastal erosion, and so much more! Programs are designed to enrich learning and inspire... Read MoreRead more about Refugio State Beach In-Person Field Trip!

California Citrus: The Groves and Beyond

3-5, 6-8, Arts and Culture, California Citrus State Historic Park, History, People, Places, Plants, PORTS Programs

California Citrus: The Groves and Beyond During this 45 min virtual program, students will learn how California’s second gold rush (the citrus industry) helped shape and develop California today. They will also learn how various groups of people played a significant... Read MoreRead more about California Citrus: The Groves and Beyond

Immigration Stories told from Angel Island State Park

3-5, 6-8, 9-12, Angel Island State Park, Arts and Culture, History, People, Places, PORTS Programs

Immigration Stories told from Angel Island State Park Bring your group virtually to the historic immigration station at Angel Island State Park for a free guided experience. Learn about the under-told history of immigration on the west coast in the early 1900s. Most... Read MoreRead more about Immigration Stories told from Angel Island State Park

Carpinteria State Beach In-Person Fieldtrip

3-5, 6-8, 9-12, Animals, Blended-Access Field Trips, Carpinteria State Beach, K-2, People, Plants, Science

Carpinteria State Beach In-Person Fieldtrip Explore Carpinteria State Beach! Bring your lessons to life at California’s natural, cultural, and historic resources! Carpinteria State Beach is an ideal place to explore tidepools, sandy beaches, tar pits, and so much... Read MoreRead more about Carpinteria State Beach In-Person Fieldtrip