Programs for Schools
KIDS for the BAY Programs for Schools turn school students onto hands-on science learning, connect students with nature, empower students to become active Environmentalists and provide professional development and ongoing support for partner classroom teachers. All programs are aligned with Next Generation Science Standards and the Common Core Curriculum. Parent participation is actively encouraged.
Schoolwide Programs
Schoolwide Science and Environmental Action Program
KIDS for the BAY will engage your entire elementary school community in hands-on science lessons and Environmental Action Projects. Each grade level will adopt a special habitat and learn how the school neighborhood, local creeks, the San Francisco Bay and the Pacific Ocean are inter-connected in the unique San Francisco Bay estuary watershed.
“Science is the lost subject in elementary schools because we are so focused on math and reading. It is very valuable to have KIDS for the BAY come in and help us not only teach science but take it to another level by giving students meaningful hands-on experiences with their local environment and ensuring that they become part of preservation efforts.”
Gabriel Chilcott, Principal, Mira Vista School, Richmond
Classroom Workshops
Bay Estuary Classroom Workshops bring the San Francisco Bay estuary to life in your classroom with engaging hands-on activities. Young scientists investigate animals and plants that live in the bay, create a three-dimensional bay model, and make food chain connections.
Field Trips
Creek, Bay and Ocean Field Trip Explorations
Field Trip Explorations take students and teachers on exciting Field Trips to explore aquatic ecosystems. Each experience involves close-up, hands-on encounters with nature in a creek, bay, or ocean habitat.
We also offer Walnut Creek Field Trip Explorations: Civic Park for schools in Walnut Creek.
“The field trip made what we learned in the classroom lessons come alive. My students loved being outside and we were excited to learn about the nature and science of the watershed we studied in the classroom.”
Denise Abersold, Fourth Grade Teacher, Ellerhorst Elementary School, Pinole
“It’s really important to keep the creek trash-free and healthy because this creek goes to the bay and eventually the Pacific Ocean. We should be protecting all those places.”
Ricardo, Fourth Grade Student, Ford Elementary School, Richmond
Scholarship Programs
Thanks to the generous support of our foundation, corporate and government funders and our individual donors, KIDS for the BAY is able to offer scholarship programs, either for our most low-income, urban school partners, or for schools located in a particular city. Please contact us to determine if your school qualifies for one of the scholarship programs described below.
The Watershed Action Program includes interactive Classroom Lessons at the school site and Field Trips to local creek, bay, delta, or ocean habitats. Students learn their place in their watershed through hands-on science investigations and choose how they will take action to help clean up and restore their local watershed environment. Teachers receive professional development in environmental science education and academic credit units through our partnership with California State University East Bay.
“This Environmental Action Project was incredible because it brought us so close to nature. My students looked at their surroundings with inquisitive eyes. They have more respect for nature, all creatures (big or small) and they have a better understanding of how even the tiniest animal can contribute to our environment in a positive way. They were yearning for this type of experience.”
Martha Pena, Fifth Grade Teacher, Glassbrook Elementary School, Hayward
“The Watershed Action Program is an integral part of our environmental expeditionary learning program. It is a fantastic hands-on learning program about our local area, its problems, and its needs. And we are grateful that it is geared so well to students’ access levels.”
Hanna Sufrin, Fourth Grade Teacher, Acorn Woodland Elementary School, Oakland
“The Watershed Action Program gave me confidence in making a “science lab” happen in the classroom. I learned so many techniques to use in future science lessons. Having a knowledgeable instructor from KIDS for the BAY model the lessons, showed me how to use hands-on activities, probing questions and posters to illustrate important science concepts in the classroom.”
Sarah Chang, Fifth Grade Teacher, Harding Elementary School, El Cerrito
The Storm Drain Rangers Program teaches students how their neighborhood connects with local creeks and the San Francisco Bay. Students practice storm water pollution prevention, and environmental leadership. A Schoolwide Assembly engages the entire school community in litter prevention and waste reduction using the Five Rs (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Rot and Refuse). Teachers receive professional development in environmental science education and academic credit units through our partnership with California State University East Bay.
“My son loved all the activities you did in the classroom, and the field trips you took. He is such a scientist at heart, and always came home excited to tell me about his latest KIDS for the BAY adventure. I certainly learned some helpful information about our storm drain and sewer systems too. Thank you!”
Parent, Belshaw Elementary School, Antioch
In the Watershed Rangers Program, students learn about the importance of the San Francisco Bay estuary watershed and how we can all play a part in keeping it clean and healthy. In this exciting, hands-on program, students take direct action to prevent storm drain pollution and divert our solid waste stream by using the Five Rs (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Rot and Refuse).
Academic Credit For Teachers
Teachers participating in the KftB Watershed Action or Storm Drain Rangers Programs have the opportunity to earn up to eight Continuing Education Units through our Academic Credit Program partnership with California State University East Bay.
Follow-Up Programs
Blue Watershed Classrooms Program
Join KIDS for the BAY for our engaging follow-up program! The Blue Watershed Classrooms Program will inspire and support classroom teachers who have previously participated in a KIDS for the BAY program in developing a watershed-friendly, Zero-Waste classroom community.
“The change in my students has been more profound than anything. They now believe in themselves as scientists and have more confidence in their abilities to observe, think, and fix the issues we’re facing today. They have a much better grasp of the Bay Area and all its integrated parts.”
Eric Volan, Third Grade Teacher, Achieve Academy, Oakland
“I have learned that if you take the time to go outdoors, sit quietly, look around and listen, you can learn so much about the environment and why it is so important to keep it clean and healthy.”
Sophia, Fifth Grade Student, Ocean View Elementary School, Albany
“During the period of time that KIDS for the BAY has been teaching here, students’ achievement levels have increased markedly.”
Minh-Tram Nguyen, Principal, Encompass Academy Elementary School, Oakland
“My students never had science and environmental education come alive so much! This experience was so wonderful!”
Melissa Williams, Fourth Grade Teacher, Civicorps Elementary School, Oakland
“The KIDS for the BAY curriculum is exactly what our students need. They need more hands-on science, instead of just getting it in textbooks. Your program is hands-on, engaging, and how students really learn. I have heard from the teachers that they love it, that their students have grown a lot through the program, and that they care more about their watershed now.”
Rene Molina, Principal, Berkeley Arts Magnet Elementary School, Berkeley
“Because marine animals get hurt every day, we should create less trash. Our trash goes to the oceans and is transferred to wildlife. We could create less trash by reusing. Reusing is when you reuse a container so it doesn’t go into the landfill. For example, I can reuse a water bottle or a lunch box!”
Sophia, Fifth Grade Student, Ohlone Elementary School, Hercules