For Over 50 Percent Of Students it was First Time On a Boat In the Ocean
OSO engages 4th – 6th grade youth with a hands-on science education field trip on a 65-foot catamaran on Monterey Bay and in a shore-side education center, in addition to ocean science curriculum provided for use in the classroom. It is free, and each class completes a community service project. OSO also funds bus transportation to and from our site for lower income schools.
Between July 2014 and June 2015, 5,519 students in 207 classes participated in the program. The OSO Student Survey showed that the program was effective in promoting substantial increases in students’ environmental awareness.
Sixty-three percent of the students were Hispanic or Latino, 19% were White, 11% were Asian, Filipino, or Pacific Islander, 2% were African American. For 56% of the students attending the OSO program English was not their primary language. More than half (64%) of students were receiving free or reduced price meals. Fifty-six percent of participating groups were lower income groups, 29% were middle income groups, and 16% were higher income groups. About half (51%) of students indicated it was their first time on a boat in the ocean.