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

Intern Update: Using Skillsets

Summit Public Schools is a high performing charter school organization with seven schools in the Bay Area, including two high schools in Redwood City, Everest and Summit Prep, and two in San Jose, Tahoma and Rainier.  Internships are a part of their unique Expeditions program and take place during the school year and school day. They provide an invaluable opportunity for students to get some adult work world experience, explore a possible career, develop confidence and strengthen their communication skills.

 

During internships students are required to submit journal entries weekly to their advisors. This week I would like to share Danielle’s journal entry.

 

Journal Question #2: Talk about something new that you have learned at your internship. Describe what you learned, how you learned it, and what it helped you understand or do at your internship.  Will you be able to use this new knowledge or skill in the future?

 

Danielle: While interning at the Marine Science Institute, I have learned a lot about what being a marine scientist might be like, and what goes on behind the scenes of the programs. When I did a trip out on the boat as a data collector, I learned how marine scientists figure out how many of a species are in a given area. When the kids in the class brought in a trawl, I counted and measured the fish, then recorded it in a data base. I also learned more about the life in the bay as I shadowed the classes that happen on shore. I shared the kids enthusiasm toward the marine life and was happy to help the kids learn to identify the different types of fish and invertebrates that they brought up. I am learning to identify the fish too, so I love to practice. I also learn about setup and cleanup, which is how to take out and put away the fish, and clean the buckets we put them in.

I also learned what the office work looks like. The first intern session I had I spent a lot of my time in the office cutting pamphlets and newsletters, and getting gifts ready to send to volunteers. That taught me more about how a nonprofit is run, and how much they are thankful for their volunteers. I also go the chance to see how the data that is collected in the bay is sorted and cleaned of unusable data.

I find that knowing these skills can be very useful. Right now I am working on a project for my school program that is allowing me to be at MSI as an intern. For the project, I am analyzing data from four years leading up to the El Nino, and comparing it to the last one. I realized that this can be important because the El Nino affects more than the weather.Learning the trends helps us understand more about these phenomenons.

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

Marine Science Institute is a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) not for profit organization
©2016. 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

Intern Update: Describing MSI Culture

Diamond Turbot

MSI Shoreline

Junebug

Summit Public Schools is a high performing charter school organization with seven schools in the Bay Area, including two high schools in Redwood City, Everest and Summit Prep, and two in San Jose, Tahoma and Rainier.  Internships are a part of their unique Expeditions program and take place during the school year and school day. They provide an invaluable opportunity for students to get some adult work world experience, explore a possible career, develop confidence and strengthen their communication skills.

 

During internships students are required to submit journal entries weekly to their advisors. This week I would like to share Danielle’s journal entry.

 

Journal Question #1: Describe the culture.  How do people act (happy, stressed, laid back, etc.) or dress?  What is the meeting culture or schedule?  How does this compare to other organizations that you know or where you have worked?  Could you see yourself in a career and at a job with this type of culture?  Why or why not?

 

Danielle: At the Marine Science Institute, everyone is pretty laid back. There are two different cultures that I have gotten to experience as an intern here. One is the office. In the office, it is very calm and relaxing, but also has a productive and professional atmosphere. In the room that I work in, music is often played, and it helps add a nice element to what in another company might be considered a tedious work day with everyone working silently at their desks. They are also dog friendly. Every day that I’ve been here, my supervisor’s dog is always there to greet everyone that comes in. There are others that bring their dogs to work as well, so it’s a really great addition to the culture. Having dogs around is proven to relax and de-stress people, which is great for an office space.

Another culture here is the classes. MSI teaches kids about the marine life in the bay, and these classes obviously have a different feel with them. They remind me of the field trips I had when I was younger, and brings back that excitement of getting the chance to learn outside the classroom, not that it felt like learning. The instructors bring a lot of energy with them. This make the culture more exciting form the very start. With the kids there, from varying age groups, it adds the element of being amazed by the little things. Whether that be clambering over wanting to touch the crabs of the shark, they show a lot of enthusiasm over what the teachers present to them. It can be infectious.

Wanting to be a marine biologist, I know I will end up in at least one, if not both of these positions in my future. I feel like it is a great culture here, whether I am following around a class, on the boat collecting fish data, or in the office organizing the data and doing work for the company.

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

Marine Science Institute is a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) not for profit organization
©2016. 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

Volunteering Takes the Helm, a BayLines Original Article

Article submitted by Nina Blois

During the two weeks I was visiting California from Texas, I designed and painted the Open Sea mural for MSI. It is now being used as the Plankton Lab.

I was very excited when I initially heard about the project, but when I actually saw the blank nook I was supposed to paint (which is about 8′ tall and 16′ wide), I was, to be honest, a bit intimidated.

The first step, of course, was research and sketching. I decided to loosely base the mural on the Open Sea exhibit at the Monterey Bay Aquarium. For me, it is so beautiful and awe inspiring, and I wanted my mural to convey that feeling of wonder.

Planning was hard. I wanted to fit in every ocean creature that exists, but in the end, I had to narrow it down to a few favorites.

The next step was actually painting. I had never completed a project so large prior to this, and although it may seem obvious, I was still surprised at how long it took. One day I spent nearly 8 hours painting! There were many other challenges I faced while painting. Did I want the animals to be perfectly to scale? How exactly would light look in the open ocean? Figuring out each problem and progressing further really boosted my confidence.

It was so exciting to be a part of this amazing experience, from the first sketch to the last brushstroke. It taught me about patience, confidence, and how to plan and have a good work ethic. Everyone at MSI was so supportive, helpful and welcoming, and made my time there so much fun. Overall, it was an incredible experience that I will never forget.

Marine Science Institute would like to thank Nina, for submitting this article and helping to liven up our teaching areas!

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 is featured in our BayLines Spring Edition 2015.

BayLines Spring Edition 2015

Marine Science Institute is a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization ©2015. All Rights Reserved

Volunteering Takes the Helm, a BayLines Original Article

Every volunteering event takes a different effort and, in return, provides different learning and fun. Volunteering at the recent Teacher Event at the Marine Science Institute was no exception, but deserves a special mention because it provided a lot of fun!

I left early from the San Jose campus of Brocade Communications Systems with a colleague, Dan Retter. We beat the general mid-afternoon traffic to reach MSI’s San Francisco Bay shoreline in Redwood City, where the familiar cool breeze of the bay and the warm smiles of the MSI staff quickly greeted us. Upon meeting with KC, Dan and I donned MSI t-shirts and were quickly converted into volunteers. We first embarked on a mission to convert slabs of mozzarella cheese, a bag of basil and a bowl of fresh homegrown cherry tomatoes into an appealing appetizer dish.

Soon it was time for the teachers to show up, so Dan and I hurried to the registration desk to help KC check in all the important guests of honor who travelled from various K-12 schools in the Bay Area. Dan prepared MSI bags for handouts and I searched for and pulled out name tags from the sheets. As the inflow of guests trickled down, Dan and I were assigned to another MSI staff member who gave us a tour of the MSI campus. We were astonished by the campus view of the Bay and excited to see various marine species collected from the Bay for careful study in well-maintained aquariums of various sizes and shapes. The temperature of the water and the ecosystem in the tank were maintained to mimic species’ original homes in the Bay. The collections of fishes, crustaceans, eels and sharks were easy to view, touch and feel, when safe to do so.

After the tour of the campus, Dan and I moved into an airy outdoor room where we helped several other volunteers serve food and wine to the teachers. Between guests, there was plenty of time for us to enjoy ourselves with the food and wine. We had a good opportunity to socialize with other volunteers including a couple from Oracle, a student from UC Davis and a retiree from the local area.

To end the day of volunteering at MSI, Dan and I could not resist the temptation of relaxing and devouring the beauty of the Bay from the picnic benches at MSI with a glass of fine wine!

Marine Science Institute would like to thank Rakesh, for submitting this article and, the rest of our wonderful volunteers who helped to make our annual teacher event a success!  

Volunteers pouring refreshments

Beautiful view of the Bay

Volunteers enjoying the day

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 is featured in our BayLines Winter Edition 2014-2015.

BayLines Winter Edition 14′-15′

Marine Science Institute is a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization ©2015. All Rights Reserved