Resources and Information for Teachers

Teachers are encouraged to make use of the Roundtable's two collaborative educational projects: “Plugged-In” and “Passport To Santa Barbara.” CLICK HERE to learn more.

Many of the Roundtable's member-institutions also offer their own educational programs for teachers and their students:

Organization:Programs for School & Youth Groups:Hyperlink To Ed. Programs
Art From ScrapArt From Scrap offers Environmental Education to all Santa Barbara County Schools. Our education is focused on Waste Reduction, Natural Resources, Gardening, Composting, and Watersheds. We offer fieldtrips to Art From Scrap, the Marborg Recycling Buy Back Center, the South Coast Watershed Resource Center and local creeks. We also have in class lessons and school garden consultations available.http://www.artfromscrap.org
Cachuma Lake Nature Center, Inc.During the school year thousands of children visit the Nature Center which emphasizes hands-on exhibits regarding the environment of and around Lake Cachuma. Some of the special events include photo classes, fishing lessons, nature walks, "Creepy Creatures" and birding. Admission to the Nature Center is free.
Carriage and Western Art Museum of SBDocent tours for elementary school children with emphasis on early transportation in Santa Barbara. The Museum offers many horse-drawn carriages, a large display of saddles, western silver artifacts, and a replica historic western town. Docent tours can be made by calling 805-569-0731. Museum is open M-F 9-3 and each 3rd Sunday of the month from 1-4. No admission fee.
Channel Islands National Marine SanctuaryThe sanctuary provides a variety of educational materials for teachers and students including brochures, posters, and curriculum. Each year the sanctuary hosts a Teacher At Sea Program aboard the R/V Shearwater and partners with other organizations to coordinate professional development workshops for teachers and marine educators. For more information, contact Laura Francis at 805-963-3238 ext 17.http://www.channelislands.noaa.gov/edu/main.html
Channel Islands National ParkIn-class and visitor center programs relating to the natural and/or cultural history of the Channel Islands. Programs are free of charge and are aligned to the state content standards. For in-class programs call Carol Peterson at 805/658-5735. For visitor center programs call Sue Johnston at 805/658-5733.http://www.nps.gov/chis/forteachers/index.htm
Elverhoj Museum Of History & ArtElverhoj Museum of History and Art welcomes school and youth groups, offering free docent led tours with an emphasis on local history, immigration and the Danish culture. Saturday art classes for youth are offered seasonally. Available upon request to educators are standards based curriculum for 3rd grade (local history) and 11th grade (History of Immigration based on the community of Solvang).Please view class and news tabs on website: www.elverhoj.org
Fairview Gardens/Center for Urban AgricultureFairview Gardens offers both a Farm-to-School Program and Summer Camp program for youth. Our Farm-to-School Programs include hands-on educational programs on our 12.5 acre organic farm. Teachers and classrooms participate in our programs from nearly every school in the Santa Barbara, Goleta, Hope Ranch, and Montecito School Districts.http://www.fairviewgardens.org/classes_farmtoschool.html
Ganna Walska Lotusland FoundationLotusland currently offers an Educational Outreach Program for the 4th grade that ties in with the 4th grade District guidelines for life science. Teacher and student-friendly curriculum materials to familiarize students with simple botanical terms and concepts are provided, as well as a classroom presentation and tour. For more information, please contact Dorothy Shaner at(805)969-3767 ext.107http://www.lotusland.org/education.html
Kids Do Ecology/NCEASKids do Ecology (KDE) is a bilingual web site which includes sections on biomes, marine mammals, and careers in ecology. KDE is also a “Scientist in the Classroom Program” of the National Center for Ecological Analysis and Synthesis. It provides local 5th graders with an opportunity to learn about ecology by doing hands-on research. 2,200 students have participated. Contact 805-892-4728.http://kids.nceas.ucsb.edu/
Los Padres National ForestN/A
Marine Science InstituteThe MSI Research Experience & Education Facility, The REEF, at UCSB invites you for a free "HANDS-ON" introduction to over 100 different species of marine plants and animals, including sharks, giant kelp, rockfish, lobsters, and more! Learn about research at UCSB and why our region is so biogeographically significant. Open to public: Saturdays 11-2 (5/17- 5/31 open 12:00-2, 6/14 closed)http://www.msi.ucsb.edu/Pages/educat.html
Rancho La Patera & Stow HouseWe welcome classes for a tour of Rancho La Patera & Stow House, a historic home built in 1873. Tours are grade specific and relate to the CA State Standards for History/S.Science. All grades are welcome; third graders are especially encouraged to visit. Free pretour class visits are available to initiate students to life/history of past communities. Call 681-7216 for availability/info
Santa Barbara Botanic GardenThe Santa Barbara Botanic Garden offers tours and labs for school groups. Programs focus on botany, ecology, and natural history and are aligned with the Science Content Standards for California Public Schools. We also offer classes, workshops, and special events for adults (including teachers), and for children and families. Call (805) 682-4726 ext. 102 for reservations or more details.
Santa Barbara Contemporary Arts ForumThe Conversation Site is an interactive space within the Contemporary Arts Forum where visitors of all ages are encouraged to participate in hands-on activities in order to engage with and think critically about art and the current exhibition. Our FREE coloring book provides tools to help children explore the art, and create some of their own!http://www.sbcaf.org/programs/index.html
Santa Barbara County Parks/Cachuma LakeSB County Parks offers programs for K - 6. Cachuma Lake Cruises focus on watersheds, the ecology of oak woodland, savannah, and lake habitats. General emphasis touches on traditional Chumash lifeways, wildlife observations, resident and migratory birds inc. Bald Eagles, plant life, & geology. Nature walks and the Cachuma Lake Nature Center can be included. Fees for boat & park entry only. See web.http://www.countyofsb.org/parks/parks05.aspx?id=13996
Santa Barbara Historical MuseumThe Santa Barbara Historical Museum offers docent guided tours of its signature exhibit "The Story of Santa Barbara" for all ages, particularly focused on content standards for grades 3 and 4. Outreach programs are also available for all ages and interests.
Santa Barbara Maritime MuseumThe Santa Barbara Maritime Museum, located at the Santa Barbara Harbor, opened to the public in July 2000. Today, the museum offers educational programs, interactive displays, and both temporary and permanent exhibits, attracting thousands of visitors each year. Favorite exhibits include the Pilot House and the Sports Fishing, where children can virtually steer a vessel and catch the "big one."http://www.sbmm.org/discover.php
Santa Barbara Public LibraryThe Santa Barbara Public Library System provides instructional and recreational material and programs to children and teens from Carpinteria to the Santa Ynez Valley. Pre-school storytimes are held at all locations Outreach services include Reading is Fundamental distributions at local schools, Reach Out and Read programs at 2 health clinics and visits to local schools.
Santa Barbara ZooThe Santa Barbara Zoo offers everything you need to bring your environmental science curriculum to life. We offer exciting and interactive guided tours, connection classes, and animal encounters for students of all ages. Call us today at (805)962-5339 ex. 154 or go online to http://www.sbzoo.org/schools.asp to learn about the possibilities for your class.http://www.sbzoo.org/schools.asp
South Coast Railroad MuseumThe railroad museum offers free staff-guided tours of the historic Goleta Depot for school and youth groups. Call Phyllis Olsen (964-3540) for details and reservations. Goleta Depot is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The Outdoor SchoolThe Outdoor School facilitates the development of community & stewardship in students through a direct experience with nature. We broaden students’ horizons by inspiring a sense of wonder about our diverse & interdependent environments. Students gain teamwork skills & a knowledge of botany, geology, wildlife biology, astronomy & Chumash culture through experiential learning.
Wildling Art MuseumThe Wildling Art Museum is an educational institution dedicated to presenting art of Americas wilderness so participants of all ages gain a greater appreciation of the art and a better understanding of the importance of preserving our natural heritage. Each exhibition is accompanied by a fun activity sheet for kids designed to focus attention and stimulate questions about the art on display.