OCEAN STEM
Inspiring the next generation for a sustainable blue future.
Educational Hub
AltaSea’s Ocean STEM offers students a voice in supporting Los Angeles as the center of the Blue Economy, an initiative to protect the ecosystem of the ocean and turn to it as a resource for solving challenges such as climate change, energy supply, and food security.
This multifaceted approach provides online educational resources; encourages students towards jobs in the Blue Economy; and increases youth access to arts and culture.
Bicoastal Collaboration
AltaSea, Hugo Neu, and NY/NJ Baykeeper have joined together for our bicoastal Ocean Pathways High School Mentorship Program. This initiative provides high school students with hands-on research experience and mentorship opportunities in marine biology, sustainability, and environmental conservation. Through engaging in fieldwork and analysis, students gain valuable insights into environmental challenges in our world, and particularly in their communities. The Ocean Pathways program is designed to inspire and empower the next generation of leaders.
SAMPLE LESSON PLANS
Marine Energy
The curricula will include an introduction to wave and wind marine energy; provide a basic framework of what constitutes energy production at sea; and offer interactive activities including building a prototype wave powered electricity generator.
Robotics
Exploration is key to increasing our understanding of the ocean, so we can more effectively manage, conserve, regulate, and use ocean resources that are vital to our economy and to all of our lives.
Aquaculture
Immerse students in the growing sustainable aquaculture industry beginning with an overview of aquaculture science and economics, and continuing to explore sustainability, engineering, genomics, cryogenics, water quality and food security.
The ATLAS Project
The ATLAS project, an experiential initiative within the USC Viterbi School’s Engineering in Society Program, aims to cultivate a new generation of technology leaders who prioritize human-centric values.
Through active, community-engaged learning, ATLAS equips
students to go beyond the classroom and make impactful contributions in the field, emphasizing real-world “People not PowerPoints” solutions.
Fill application below for more ATLAS projects
Fill out the form below to request a copy of the curriculum.
*Curriculum also available in Spanish*
Experiential Field Visits
Come see where innovation meets reality!
At AltaSea, we’re turning to the ocean to develop real solutions for some of the planet’s biggest challenges- from climate change and renewable energy to sustainable food systems. During your visit, students will explore how science, technology, and creativity come together to power the Blue Economy and discover exciting career paths in marine science, engineering, sustainability, and more!
A field trip to AltaSea isn’t just a day by the ocean — it’s a chance for students to see the
future of sustainability in action and imagine their own place in it.
What to Expect:
AltaSea field trips bring ocean science to life through hands-on activities, behind-the-scenes exploration, and conversations with real-world innovators. Students meet researchers and entrepreneurs who are tackling today’s environmental challenges and learn how their own interests connect to ocean innovation.
Field Trip Details:
- Designed for upper elementary, middle, and high school students
- Duration: Approximately 2 hours (10 AM – 12 PM)
- Maximum group size: 60 students
- Chaperone requirement: 1 adult per 10 students
- Pre-selected field trip dates: available (subject to availability)
- Photo & video release forms: required before the visit
Sample Field Trip Schedule:
(Times are approximate and may vary depending on travel logistics.)
10:00 – 10:10 AM – Arrival, Welcome,
10:10 – 10:20 AM – Introduction to AltaSea and the Blue Economy
10:20 AM – 12:00 PM – Small-Group Rotations: Hands-on science activities and partner visits
12:00 – 1:00 PM – Lunch and Reflection
Bathrooms and handwashing stations are available in Berth 58.
What to Bring:
- Comfortable closed-toed shoes (Be ready to walk about 1–2 miles across our 35-acre waterfront campus)
- A light jacket– it can get breezy by the water
- Lunch if you plan to stay
Topics Your Students Might Explore
During their visit, students could dive into topics like:
- Climate Change Solutions – Exploring renewable ocean energy and carbon capture (Captura)
- Coral and Artificial Reefs – How reef design supports marine life (Sperra)
- Kelp Forests & Photosynthesis – Understanding local ecosystems (Kelp Ark)
- Invasive Species – What happens when ecosystems get out of balance (Kelp Ark)
- Recycling & Zero Waste – Turning trash into treasure (EcobyRy)
Educational Resources:
- AltaSea Curriculum: Marine Energy, Robotics, and Aquaculture
- Seafloor Mapping: Using Sound to Map the Ocean Floor
Fill out form below to schedule a field trip.
Safety:
**Please be aware that AltaSea is still in development. There are no safety bars between the wharf and the ocean and the wharf is still in the process of being renovated. Also, various partners have their equipment near the walking paths. Students must stay in their groups and close to their chaperones at all times and keep their hands to themselves. Students should stay three feet back from the water’s edge. Chaperones are responsible for student safety and behavior.
Summer Mentorship Program
Ocean Cultivation
High School students will be provided with bulk seeds, learn how to cultivate and identify the fastest-growing seeds, sort them out to individual cultures, and determine their growth rate.
Click below to learn more:
Marine Energy & Exploration
Students have the option to pursue one of three different projects: Biological Cogeneration, which is a pumped hydro system for renewable energy, Ocean Exploration, which is designing and testing underwater robotics, or Cooking, which is creating solar cookers to smoke seafood.
Click below to learn more:
Summer 2025 Mentorship Application
Applications close on Friday, May 23, 2025 at 5pm
AltaSea at the Port of Los Angeles is poised to become the premier site where the best of science, business, and education come together to protect the oceans for future generations while inspiring our youth and invigorating our economy. AltaSea is fortifying Los Angeles as the hub of the Blue Economy and, as a result, will find ocean-based solutions for mankind’s most pressing challenges. We are passionate about providing the next generation of scientists, ocean explorers, educators, and entrepreneurs with the opportunities necessary to find solutions to food and climate security while also developing new technologies that will advance ocean exploration, clean energy security, and protect the environment.
Summer HS Mentorship Program
Applications for Summer 2025 are not yet available, please complete the interest form to be notified when mentorship applications open.
Progress by the Numbers
From the Students
Student Quotes
Educational Partners