STEAM Archives - PORTS Program

Fog Friday

3-5, Climate, Plants, PORTS Programs, Samuel P. Taylor State Park, Science, STEAM

Fog Friday Join us to learn about a secret to survival in a coast redwood forest at Samuel P. Taylor State Park! In this program, we will learn about the role of fog in an ecosystem, discuss how the plants and animals in this environment have adapted to depend on fog,... Read MoreRead more about Fog Friday

Reservoirs and Water Pipes: History and How They Work

3-5, History, K-2, Lake Perris State Recreation Area, Places, PORTS Programs, Science, STEAM

Reservoirs and Water Pipes: History and How They Work Join us for a lakeside adventure at Lake Perris State Recreation Area as we explore the history of the the lake and the State Water Project. We will explore the reason we have a lake here, and how it works to... Read MoreRead more about Reservoirs and Water Pipes: History and How They Work

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

Hi Up House: Resilience in the Canyon

3-5, History, People, PORTS Programs, Science, STEAM, Wildwood Canyon State Park

Hi Up House: Resilience in the Canyon This program is available in the spring semester only. This program uses the story of the McCollough family and the Hi-Up House, built in Wildwood Canyon during the Great Depression, to explore universal themes. Through a... Read MoreRead more about Hi Up House: Resilience in the Canyon

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

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!

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

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

Anza Borrego Desert State Park In-Person Field Trips

Animals, Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, Blended-Access Field Trips, Climate, Plants, Science, STEAM

Anza Borrego Desert State Park In-Person Field Trips Explore Anza Borrego Desert State Park! Please visit the Field Trip Guide landing page to learn all about bringing students on a self-guided field trip to Anza Borrego. When you are ready to schedule, please use the... Read MoreRead more about Anza Borrego Desert State Park In-Person Field Trips

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

STEAM Learning at Hearst Castle

9-12, Hearst Castle at Hearst San Simeon State Historical Monument, Previous Broadcasts, STEAM

“How a House is Built” Story Time at Hearst Castle

Hearst Castle at Hearst San Simeon State Historical Monument, K-2, Previous Broadcasts, STEAM

Harbor Seal Adaptations!

3-5, Animals, Climate, K-2, MacKerricher State Park, Oceans and Watersheds, Places, PORTS Programs, Science, STEAM

Harbor Seal Adaptations! PORTS Program registration begins Monday, August 24 at 3:30 pm! Students will virtually visit MacKerricher State Park to explore the similarities and differences between humans and marine mammals, specifically the Harbor Seal! Students... Read MoreRead more about Harbor Seal Adaptations!

Elephant Seals of Hearst San Simeon State Park

3-5, Animals, Hearst San Simeon State Park, Oceans and Watersheds, PORTS Programs, Science, STEAM

Elephant Seals of Hearst San Simeon State Park Join us for a deep dive into the fascinating lives of Northern Elephants Seals from Hearst San Simeon State Park. Together, we will observe elephant seals live from the Piedras Blancas Elephant Seal Rookery – the largest... Read MoreRead more about Elephant Seals of Hearst San Simeon State Park

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

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

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

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