Ocean Institute - Other Facilities

Other Facilities

• Ecology Learning Center - for grades K-3, includes marine life tanks, wet-tables with video-microscopes, a digital imaging lab and an interactive children's theater.
• Marine Life Refuge - Eight acres of beach and tidepools just to the north of the facility; used for walking tours.
• Maritime Center - Used for teaching maritime history.
• Packard At-Sea Learning Center - For grades 4-6, houses marine life including jellyfish at various stages of development.
• Surfscience Learning Center, Sleeping Deck - Houses teaching exhibits such as an oceanography test tank, wave tank, shark & ray pool and a shipboard research station. Students on overnight programs can sleep upstairs on the sleeping deck. The deck also houses a National Weather Service Coastal Observation Station.
• Samueli Lecture Hall and Conference Center - The central meeting facility of the Institute, used for educational presentations and special events.
• Student and Teacher Services Building - The main administration building; a two-story open lobby serves as the main entry for visitors. Exhibits on the first floor.
• Center for Cooperation in Research and Education - Integrates ocean research into Ocean Institute programs.
• Laurena G. Chambers Gallery and Gift Store - Open daily 9 a.m. - 6 p.m., staffed by volunteers. Offers educational materials and ocean and maritime-themed gift items.