Crystal Cove Conservancy STEM Education Programs

Crystal Cove Conservancy STEM Education Programs includes The Trouble with Trash for Kindergarten-2nd grade, Erosion Engineers for 3rd-5th grade, Enhanced Whale Watching for 1st-6th grade, Project Crystal for 5th grade, Project Crystal Code for 7th grade, Marine Protected Area Science Expedition for 7th-12th grade, PORTS Videoconferencing for K-12, Virtual Marine Science Videoconferencing with Newport Whales! for K-3, Crystal Cove State Park Interpretive Programs for all grades, Natural Resources Summer Internship for undergraduate and graduate students, Fire Ecology Internship for high school students in grades 9-12, and Coast Keepers: Career Pathways Internship for high school students in grades 9-12. Program activities include plastic pollution, beach ecosystems, and trash reduction; coastal engineering, erosion, and habitat loss; monitoring projects, marine mammals, birds, plankton, and marine artifacts; plant ecology and restoration strategies; distance learning via live videoconferencing; conservation projects; habitat restoration; wildlife monitoring; field research in burned landscapes; ecological recovery; and land management decisions.

Programs

• The Trouble with Trash — Kindergarten-2nd grade · NGSS-aligned field trip program; up to 50 participants; 9am–1pm; focuses on plastic pollution, beach ecosystems, and trash reduction.
• Erosion Engineers — 3-5th Grade · NGSS-aligned outdoor STEM program; up to 30 participants; 9am–1pm; focuses on coastal engineering, erosion, and habitat loss.
• Enhanced Whale Watching — 1-6th Grade · Hands-on marine science program; up to 72 participants; 10am–12pm; includes monitoring projects, marine mammals, birds, plankton, and marine artifacts.
• Project Crystal — 5th Grade · Program with two field trips to Crystal Cove State Park; up to 60 participants; 9am–2pm; focused on plant ecology and restoration strategies.
• Project Crystal Code — 7th Grade
• Marine Protected Area Science Expedition — 7-12 Grade · Field trip program; up to 40 participants; 9am–12pm.
• PORTS Videoconferencing — K-12 · Distance learning program; live 45-minute videoconferencing sessions; made available free of charge.
• Virtual Marine Science Videoconferencing with Newport Whales! — K-3 · Distance learning program; approximately 45 minutes per session; $50 per session.
• Crystal Cove State Park Interpretive Programs — All grades · Curriculum-based interpretive educational programs available for school and other organized groups throughout the year.
• Natural Resources Summer Internship — Undergraduate – Graduate · Internship program for undergraduate and graduate students focused on conservation projects, habitat restoration, wildlife monitoring, and ecological challenges.
• Fire Ecology Internship — High School 9-12 · Eight-month internship for high school students focused on field research in burned landscapes, ecological recovery, and land management decisions.
• Coast Keepers: Career Pathways Internship — High School 9-12 · Vocational internship in partnership with Laguna Beach High School for students with varying disabilities; focused on hands-on work experience, confidence, practical skills, and workplace readiness.

At a glance

• Ages: 5–18 years old

About the provider

Crystal Cove Conservancy was founded in 1999. It is the nonprofit public benefit partner to Crystal Cove State Park, uses a social enterprise model to fund preservation, education, and conservation initiatives, and is one of California State Parks’ largest public benefit partners and a nationally recognized model for public-private partnership. It works with California State Parks, CSU Fullerton, SandSnap research partners, Newport Landing Sportfishing, UC Irvine, and Laguna Beach High School.

Many programs are provided at low or no cost to schools. Field trips require contacting the listed education manager to book. The Conservancy offers public programs year-round. Revenue generated through cottage rentals and park concessions helps support programs. Internships are described as real work, real science, and real pathways to future careers.

Last updated October 13, 2026.