What is the CUI Marine Lab?

The goal of the CUI Marine Lab Outreach Program is to improve the Ocean Literacy of students, teachers, and the general public in Orange County. Ocean Literacy is defined by the Ocean Literacy Campaign as an understanding of the ocean’s influence on you, and your influence on the ocean. The Marine Lab offers free educational mobile touch-tank and marine science lessons to schools, community events, and other institutions. We also offer weekly “Open Marine Lab Hours” (Fridays 11am-2pm) and on-site educational programs for groups visiting CUI. Mobile touch tank programs and lessons are differentiated for any audience age/grade, can be customized to fit into individual classroom curricula, and are aligned with the Principles of Ocean Literacy and Next Generation Science Standards. The Outreach Program has been generously supported by the California Coastal Commission, Orange County Community Foundation, CUI Alumni Association, and the Biology Department, helping us to serve over 1,800 individuals within the first 9 months* of Outreach Program activity! (*as of Dec. 2016)