Coorporate Volunteering Takes the Helm, a BayLines Original Article

 

The Marine Science Institute is a wonderful organization, which I took pleasure in being the group lead for this year at SAP Labs. This was my third actual time volunteering at their location. MSI’s goal is to teach schoolchildren in Northern California about the ocean and its inhabitants up close and hands-on, along with how we can preserve our bay and ocean. The employees are the greatest, very knowledgeable, and were so kind and thankful for SAP coming out to help them once again. One of this year’s projects was to remove a giant in-ground planter, and transplant the native plants to a new location. Then, we leveled out and paved the area with gravel so the fuel truck for the Institute’s teaching ship would be able to reach the dock. The second project was to paint two wonderful 3D topography maps (4’ x 5’) to match an actual map of the Bay Area and the Bay. Some volunteers already knew each other, but a good majority did not, so it was great to meet new colleagues from all the different teams, and SAP’s area campuses. We really came together as a team, and had a busy, but fulfilling day; all want to come back next year. The weather was perfect and we had a wonderful breeze to keep the heat at bay. It was a fantastic day for all!

Cheryl Jensen – Executive Assistant at SAP Labs in Palo Alto

Marine Science Institute would like to thank Cheryl for submitting this article and setting up this event, and the rest of our wonderful SAP volunteers who’s generosity will help inspire thousands of students, teachers and staff.

Corporate and individual volunteer opportunities are always available. To learn more please visit our webpage at www.sfbaymsi.org or contact the Community Outreach Coordinator at 650-364-2760 X16 or by email volunteer@sfbaymsi.org

This article was featured in our BayLines Winter Edition 2015-2016.

Marine Science Institute is a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) not for profit organization
©2015. All Rights Reserved

Corporate Volunteering Takes the Helm, a BayLines Original Article

Hard days work

Enjoying lunch

Pulling in the fish net

Adrian (far right) with team

Emergence Capital team

“I’d rather be fishing” is a common thought that goes through many a “nine-to-fiver’s” mind during the workweek. Well, we lucky folks at Emergence Capital got to do just that and more. 5

On a gloriously sunny October day, we picnicked outside with the staff on their oyster shell beach. Over hamburgers and chocolate chip cookies we learned of their strong interest in marine biology and the changes they have seen in the environment over the years. MSI’s Executive Director, Marilou Seiff, then expertly took us on a guided tour of the facilities, which showcased varied opportunities for school children to visit and learn onsite.  From there, we boarded the R/V Robert G. Brownlee and set off to work! MSI’s Community Outreach Coordinator, Tiff Murzi-Moyce, guided us through a physically competitive challenge of teams pulling up the fishing nets. We later experienced how to safely handle the fish.  We in turn gave back by cleaning the boats interior with a lot of elbow grease and laughter.

A huge “thank you” to everyone at MSI for sharing with us the valuable work they do every day. The employees at Emergence Capital definitely felt that our community goals were met and our anticipation of the day’s activities hit the mark.

-Adrian Mallinger, Executive Assistant at Emergence Capital in San Mateo.

Marine Science Institute would like to thank Adrian for submitting this article, coordinating this event, and spearheading her company’s donation process to replace the carpet on our research vessel. We also want to send a big THANK YOU to the Emergence Capital team for their hard work and dedication in making this cleanup day a huge success.

Volunteer and internship opportunities are available year round.
Please visit our webpage at www.sfbaymsi.org to find your next volunteer position! 

This article was featured in our BayLines Winter Edition 2015-2016.

Marine Science Institute is a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) not for profit organization
©2015. All Rights Reserved

It’s in the Bag – California Coastal Cleanup , a BayLines Original Article

Once again, San Mateo County residents came out by the thousands to clean up trash around the county on Coastal Cleanup Day, which took place Saturday, September 19. Residents on both the coast and bayside of the county slogged through sand, waded through mud, and climbed hillsides with buckets and bags, trash pickers and gloves, and a whole lot of spirit. Young and old participated as groups of friends and families turned out to make a difference in three short hours on the hot and sunny day.

Together, volunteers gathered an estimated 27,000 pounds of trash and over 3,700 pounds of recyclables from roadways, beaches, fields, and mud flats. Approximately 61 miles of total shoreline was cleaned by an estimated 4,165 volunteers at over 53 sites. Volunteers even found a lizard trapped in a crushed beer can!!! Check out some of the images taken from around San Mateo County on Coastal Cleanup Day below. Each year, this event shows how much of an impact we can make in our community by working together with so many different people throughout the County. Because of volunteers working together, nearly 320,000 pounds of trash has been picked up since 2005! To those volunteers reading this, thank you thank you thank you!!!

If you were not able to make it out this year, you can still make a difference. Coastal Cleanup Day is always the 3rd Saturday in September each year, so it is easy to mark your calendar now and plan for years to come. In addition, regular cleanups take place throughout the year all around the county.

Remember, if everyone does a little bit, together we can accomplish a lot!!

Excerpt provided by San Mateo Countywide Water Pollution Prevention Program, click here to see their blog.

Go to www.flowstobay.org/litter to find out about other cleanups, or sign up to receive their monthly calendar of events
that includes cleanups and other watershed activities like hikes, habitat restoration, and wildlife observation.

?

Corporate and individual volunteer opportunities are always available. To learn more please visit our webpage at www.sfbaymsi.org or contact the Community Outreach Coordinator at 650-364-2760 X16 or by email volunteer@sfbaymsi.org

This article was featured in our BayLines Winter Edition 2015-2016.

Marine Science Institute is a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) not for profit organization
©2015. All Rights Reserved

Fishing for Teachers, a BayLines Original Article

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In September, Marine Science Institute (MSI) hosted its sixth annual teacher event, “From Ship to Shore, All You Need to Know and More!” This year’s event focused on MSI’s program alignment with the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), which were adopted by California in 2013. Through mini workshops, an information table full of resources and conversations with dedicated staff, teachers learned about their options for providing NGSS-aligned, hands-on programs for their students.

Along with mapping out precise alignment with NGSS, MSI has been busy creating a whole new selection of thematic field trip and classroom program bundles, an approach we call “multiple-exposure programming.” Multiple-exposure programs provide a benefit for students; students are able to assimilate new knowledge over time by connecting to prior learning and activities. One of the programs highlighted at the teacher event was MSI’s Scientific Method Combination – Marsh and Beach Exploration for grades 4 and higher. Teachers were able to participate in program activities, including collecting data from a mock wrack line–a line of debris (both natural and human-made) left on the beach after high tide. During the Scientific Method Combination – Marsh and Beach Exploration program, students collect and catalogue debris found at the beach, and then create a graph to display the data. The activities incorporate many scientific practices, including asking questions, carrying out investigations, and collecting and analyzing data.

Another new multiple-exposure opportunity presented at the teacher event was our Biomimicry Program. The NGSS emphasize engineering design as an essential part of science education for all grade levels. MSI’s Biomimicry programs target engineering requirements for grades 3-12. Teachers at the event used different senses as they walked blindfolded, identifying functions and possible adaptations of things found in nature. This activity exemplified the first step of the biomimetic design process through which students learn how to observe and interpret lessons from the natural world. These activities were adapted from www.biomimicry.org.

The fun continued as teachers enjoyed delicious appetizers by the Bay with a glass of wine in hand, asking questions and test driving MSI’s new website. In 2016, MSI will launch a new and improved website through which teachers can search programs by grades, easily locate classroom activities and browse printable guides that show MSI program alignment with the NGSS

We hope that the teachers who attended our event enjoyed learning about our programs and walked away with new ideas and resources. It was a pleasure to host them. We’d like to thank Russian Ridge Winery for the wonderful wine donation; Jackie Siminitus, Dragon Productions, Go To Chocolate, Applebee’s and Aqui’sCalMex for some really great raffle prizes; MSI Board Members Jim Crawford, Sean Caplice and Michael Odai for funding the event; and,Oracle for the amazing volunteers!Finally, thank you, teachers, for your hard work all year-round.

 

If you are a teacher who is interested in adding marine science into your classroom
please contact our office at 650-364-2760 or by email at info@sfbaymsi.org

This article was featured in our BayLines Winter Edition 2015-2016.

Marine Science Institute is a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) not for profit organization
©2015. All Rights Reserved

45 Years of Marine Science Education

Batray experience

Mud line

Robert G. Brownlee

As we look back at the year, we have much to be proud of and thankful for. Our staff has once again made science come alive to excite and educate more than 56,000 people about the wonders of the San Francisco Bay. Many of our students had never been to the water’s edge let alone on a boat, or had the opportunity to touch a live shark. Every day, the anticipation level and excitement run high here at MSI!

We have been extremely busy aligning all of our programs to the Common Core and Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). This allows teachers in our region to see in advance what topics will fulfill their curriculum requirements and to plan the most inspiring and educational field trip of the year for their students. In collaboration with the San Mateo Environmental Learning Collaborative (SMELC), Ten Strands, the San Mateo County Office of Education and five local nonprofit organizations, we participated in a series of Teacher Workshops titled, ‘Professional Learning Collaborative for K-8 Educators: Succeeding with NGSS Using Your Local Environment.’ Although California’s full adoption of the NGSS standards will not take place until 2018, MSI’s alignment of the NGSS standards now provides teachers with on-the-job training and preparation that prepares them for the rigorous changes they will encounter as they implement the standards in their classrooms.

Studies have shown that Multi-Exposure programs have a greater impact on the students, facilitating much deeper learning experiences. Between 2011 and 2015 we piloted three programs in which we bundled single modules with a field trip allowing us to reinforce the science concept for students – The Scientific Method Combination, Biomimicry Discovery Voyage and Wonders of Watershed Programs. The astounding popularity of these pilot programs has led us to offer several more Multiple Exposure Programs including Biomimicry Inland Voyage, and four different Habitat Combos. Our teachers have recognized the value of Multiple Exposure Programs to the extent that we have completely booked all of our available slots for them in the 2015-16 school year!

As the drought continues, we have increased the water conservation education in our curriculum to teach students about the causes and how their actions can be a part of alleviating the crisis. We have done our part in reducing our own facilities’ water consumption too. We replaced our water guzzling natural lawn with artificial turf, and stopped watering our smaller lawn altogether. We made water conservation changes to our aquarium protocol. And very recently, we installed a rain collection system to prepare for the rains we hope will come this winter.

Our 90-foot research vessel, Robert G. Brownlee, continues to be the star of our show. This amazing work horse continues to carry full loads of students out onto the waters of the San Francisco Bay or the Delta twice a day, six days a week, nearly every week of the year! Quarterly, we host EcoVoyages for the public to explore the bay and learn
about our precious ecosystem. We invite you to join us and learn first-hand what tens of thousands of students are experiencing each year.

The Board and Staff have finalized our three-year strategic plan. We look forward to the implementation phase of these strategies, to continue to improve our programs and our outcomes, as well as to improve our financial stability. We will be sharing our success stories with you in this coming year.

Finally, we want you to know that we feel gratitude every day for our many funders. We could not do this work without your support.

Sincerely,
Marilou Seiff and James Crawford

Executive Director Marilou Seiff

Board Chair Jim Crawford

 

MSI Expenditures

MSI Student Demomgraphics

 

We invite you to keep in mind the significant and tangible impact your donation will make for students.
We hope you will donate to science education and stewardship in the San Francisco Bay Area. 

Click the link to view the rest of our 2014-2015 Annual Report.

Marine Science Institute is a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) not for profit organization
©2015. All Rights Reserved

Translating the Tides 2016, a BayLines Original Article

It is with great pride that we share with you our 16th annual Translating the Tides collection. This collection of poetry and artwork was designed by students who, through the Marine Science Institute’s hands on programs, directly encountered the wildlife of the San Francisco Bay, Pacific Coast, and Delta. Their beautiful work expresses not only what they have learned during our programs, but their new found appreciation of these aquatic habitats.

Cover

October 2016

June 2016

April 2016

September 2016

August 2016

February 2016

March 2016

November 2016

December 2016

January 2016

May 2016

July 2016

 The 2014-2015 Translating the Tides artwork has been transformed into a printable 5×7 calendar and is available for download here

printable download

 

Translating the Tides is a creative contest run by Marine Science Institute (MSI) for students in grades kindergarten through college who participate in MSI’s hands-on marine science education programs.

Translating the Tides is a wonderful opportunity for students to express, in their own voices, what they have learned and what they want others to know about our aquatic environments.

 

 

 

We invite you to keep in mind the significant
and tangible impact your donation will make for students.

This article was featured in our BayLines Winter Edition 2015-2016.

Marine Science Institute is a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) not for profit organization
©2015. All Rights Reserved

A Season of Giving , a BayLines Original Article

A Great Gift for the Bay!

Now is the time to show your support for the Marine Science Institute.  Each year, you can see the wonderful work we accomplish together , teaching science and inspiring environmental stewardship. In 2015, we provided 56,000 students with the opportunity to go out on the San Francisco Bay and learn about its unique ecosystem. As a supporter, you are a part of every program.

As we close 2015, Marine Science Institute’s 2015-16 school programs are well underway! MSI is the largest marine science K-12 educator in Northern California and we have the largest estuary on the West Coast as our classroom.

The San Francisco Bay is home to millions of fish, mammals, marine plants and migratory birds. The shorelines and underwater habitats are the best classrooms for young students to learn about.

As a supporter of the Marine Science Institute, you play an important role in the education of our young students and their families. We can’t thank you enough for your generosity. Our success stories are your legacy.

Please, won’t you reaffirm your commitment to marine science education and stewardship with a donation to the Marine Science Institute of $50 or more?

Our goal is to raise $18,000 by December 31, 2015, to ensure the funding for experiential marine science programs in 2016.  Together, we can carry on with the work of educating about our unique ecosystem and the myriad inhabitants of the San Francisco Bay.  But even more important, together we will continue to teach how and why we take care of our precious home.

Marine Science Institute is a leader in hands on science education. We offer a variety of unique opportunities such as Discovery Voyages aboard our research vessel the Robert G. Brownlee, Marine Science Camp, and Tidepool Expeditions. We are part of a network of innovative environmental educators. Your gift helps us leverage additional partnerships with many sponsors, donors and collaborators. We provide scholarships for science education and field trip transportation costs on a sliding scale for all schools, specifically targeting the needs of low-income schools, as determined by the schools’ percentage of enrollment in the Federal Free and Reduced Price Meal Program (FRP).

Your gift before December 31 will help the Institute meet our goal of $18,000 and ensure that we can continue to foster a love for learning and a link to nature in every student who visits us.

If you’ve already sent your year-end contribution and our messages have crossed in the mail, please accept our thanks for your generosity.

As you consider who you will support with your end-of-year gift this year, we hope you will donate to science education and stewardship in the San Francisco Bay Area. 

We invite you to keep in mind this holiday season the significant
and tangible impact your donation will make for students.

This article was featured in our BayLines Winter Edition 2015-2016.

Marine Science Institute is a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) not for profit organization
©2015. All Rights Reserved

Volunteering Takes the Helm , a BayLines Original Article

At the tidepools

Practicing knots

This summer, I was an intern at the Marine Science Institute. During my 12-week internship I had two primary roles: to assist with Marine Camp to make sure that it ran smoothly, and to look at how MSI markets itself using various social media platforms. My journey at MSI did not begin with this internship, however. When I was a sophomore in high school, I came to MSI as a summer camp volunteer and ever since then I have been hooked.  After graduating from high school, I became a camp counselor and worked summer camp every summer I was in college.

When I found out that I needed to complete an internship to earn my college degree, I immediately thought of MSI. Through volunteering and working at MSI the past eight summers, I have come to love both marine science and the message that the organization promotes.

During my internship, I created daily schedules for the Marine Camp staff detailing which activities they were teaching on any given day, how long they would spend at each activity, and where each activity was located. In addition to planning and making schedules, I acted as a go-to person for camp staff. I aimed to be a person that they felt comfortable coming to if they needed anything or had any questions, not only regarding summer camp, but also any general questions that came up.

I also spent the summer looking at how MSI markets itself and its programs on social media. From my research, I found that MSI is not posting consistently on Instagram and Twitter. In order to remedy this problem I suggested that MSI should try to consistently post on all social media platforms. I also suggested that staff find a distinct purpose for Instagram by promoting hashtags to people who are participating in their programs.

All in all, I learned a lot from my internship this summer. I am incredibly grateful to have been given this opportunity. Though my internship is finished I still hope to stay in touch with everyone at MSI; they are great people who work incredibly hard to promote a positive message about the San Francisco Bay.

Marine Science Institute would like to thank Brooke for submitting this article and for all her hard work and dedication this summer. 

Everyone loves Brooke

Testing PH

Shark exploration

Volunteer and internship opportunities are available year round.
Please visit our webpage at www.sfbaymsi.org to find your next volunteer position! 

This article was featured in our BayLines Autumn Edition 2015.

Marine Science Institute is a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) not for profit organization
©2015. All Rights Reserved

New Hands on Deck, a BayLines Original Article

Jodi Stewart

Melanie Kimbel

Carlie Cooney

Jodi Stewart: School Programs Coordinator

Jodi received her B.S. in Biology from University of Wisconsin at Whitewater, and a B.S. Honours in Environmental Sciences from Deakin University, Australia. She joined MSI as an instructor in 2013. Jodi was drawn to MSI’s broad reach of students in the Bay Area and the educational programs aboard the R/V Robert G. Brownlee. She is the primary contact for teachers, schedules MSI programs, and updates and maintains our database.

Melanie Kimbel: Advancement Director

Melanie has built long career in the nonprofit world working primarily for environmental initiatives at organizations including San Francisco Bay Bird Observatory, San Jose Conservation Corps, Sempervirens Fund, Our City Forest and the Girl Scouts of Northern California, as well as for the office of Congressman Don Edwards.  Melanie has a B.S. in Public Relations from San Jose State University. As Advancement Director at MSI, Melanie is responsible for the management and oversight of all fundraising activities.

Carlie Cooney: Land Program Manager

Carlie earned her B.S. in Biological Sciences with an emphasis in marine biology from the University of California, Davis. Before coming to MSI, Carlie worked as a Science Instructor at the Ocean Institute in Dana Point. She joined the Marine Science Institute in February 2013 as a Marine Educator. Carlie now manages MSI’s land-based programs and promotes stewardship and education in the San Francisco Bay Area.

 
To learn more about employment opportunities please visit our webpage at www.sfbaymsi.org.

 

This article was featured in our BayLines Autumn Edition 2015.

Marine Science Institute is a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) not for profit organization
©2015. All Rights Reserved

Welcome a-Board, a BayLines Original Article

We are pleased to introduce two new members of the MSI Board of Trustees

Sean M. Caplice is a partner with Gunderson Dettmer Stough Villeneuve Franklin & Hachigian LLP. Caplice’s legal background provides a strong foundation in organizational and governance management. In addition, his certification as a Chartered Adviser in Philanthropy provides a solid basis in understanding the operations and needs of non-profit entities. Caplice has been drawn to aquatic life and the ocean since childhood. He loves to scuba dive and obtained a professional Dive Master rating from PADI in 2000. He is particularly interested in ensuring MSI’s quality impact on school children.

Michael D. Odai is Chief Operating Officer and General Counsel of Mosaic Ventures. Odai returns to the MSI Board of Trustees after a one-year leave to help found and launch Mosaic, an early stage venture capital fund based in London. Prior to Mosaic, Odai worked with Sir Richard Branson and the Virgin Group to start a number of companies, including Virgin Money Australia and Virgin Green Fund. Odai spent his early career years as a corporate attorney in New York City.  He has extensive legal and commercial experience, and has acted as both a board member and adviser for numerous companies. Originally from New York, Odai moved to Redwood City in 2007.  His three children were born here and he is very interested in deepening his roots in the community by contributing his expertise to educational and public benefit enterprises.

We warmly welcome these new trustees who will lead the Marine Science Institute through the coming years.

Executive Director Marilou Seiff

Seeking Spectacular Board Members

We’re looking for a few talented and conscientious volunteer board members to lead and strengthen the Marine Science Institute as we complete and launch our new strategic plan. If you can contribute your time, thoughtfulness and leadership one Saturday per quarter plus some additional events, and are interested in exploring this opportunity, please contact me at marilou@sfbaymsi.org to learn more about this volunteer opportunity. We’re especially looking for people with accounting, real estate and/or fundraising experience. Please visit our website at www.sfbaymsi.org for more information.

This article was featured in our BayLines Autumn Edition 2015.

Marine Science Institute is a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) not for profit organization
©2015. All Rights Reserved