Programs onboard the M/V Discovery.
Grades 4-12.
April-May.

5 hour cruise onboard the M/V Discovery. Scientific inquiry-based activities involve students in small group and whole group study stations.The five hour program focuses on oysters and oyster farming to highlight the productivity of Kachemak Bay. Activities may include water sampling, plankton tow and microscope study, and reading charts, nautical charts and tide books. Mid April to May.

Oceanographic Activities

• CACS staff and volunteers conduct activities at study stations set up on the boat.
• Student groups rotate through the activities during the cruise.
• Activities are inquiry-based.
• A plankton tow is lowered to several different depths. Using microscopes, students view the plants and animals at the bottom of the ocean food chain.
• Students learn to read tide charts and nautical charts.
• Students use scientific instruments to measure water temperature, salinity, pH, and transparency.
• Students observe nesting seabirds at the Gull Island Rookery and other marine birds and mammals.
• Students may visit an oyster farm in Peterson Bay and have opportunities to learn directly from an oyster farmer.

Resources

The pre-trip packet can be downloaded here.

Theteacher manualwith pre- and post-trip activity suggestions, and worksheets for student activities can be downloaded here.

Planning the Trip

Kachemak Oceanography cruises can be schedule between mid-April and Memorial Day.

A ratio of one adult per six students is required for the cruise. Teachers and chaperones are expected to maintain discipline.

Students should spend classroom time prior to the trip studying the manual and preparing for the field activities. Post-field trip activities are also included in the manual.

Reservations

Download our 2012-13 Spring Reservation Request Form.  Reservations must be in writing, using the CACS reservation form. Reservations can be sent by fax to (907) 235-6668 or snail mailed to CACS, 708 Smokey Bay Way, Homer, AK 99603. Forms can also be e-mailed to our School Programs Coordinator at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Trip confirmations will be made in writing.

To be palced on the email list to receive the September Reservation Form mailing, email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

A non-refundable deposit of $300 is required to hold a reservation once it is confirmed. Cancellations after February 15 will be charged a $250 cancellation fee. This fee will be refunded if the reservation can be filled.

Full payment is due within ten days after the trip.

Fees

The fee is $80/person for the five-hour program and $71/person for the six-hour program. Fees are for students and adults with one free teacher and include instruction and travel on the Discovery.

CACS is a non-profit organization with youth as our primary audience for environmental education. We try very hard to keep our fees reasonable for school groups. Scholarships are often available to help with program fees. Call 907-235-6667 to ask about scholarship availablity.

The minimum charge is for a group of 25. The maximum group size is 35 unless prior arrangements are made.

The Oceanography program can be combined with the Alaska Coastal Ecology residential program at Peterson Bay Field Station for $55 per person.