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 CenterDuring 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.
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
Goleta Valley Historical SocietyWe welcome classes on an hour long tour of 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; fourth graders are especially encouraged to visit. Free pretour class visits are available to initiate students to life/history of past communities. Class tours ~$20. Call 681-7216 for availability/info
Kids Do Ecology/NCEASKDE is 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 since 1997. The KDE web site includes sections on biomes, marine mammals, and information in English and Spanish on careers in ecology. Contact 805-892-2500http://www.nceas.ucsb.edu/nceas-web/kids
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
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 Carriage MuseumDocent 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 805-964-4404. Museum is open M-F 9-4 and each 3rd Sunday of the month from 1-4. No admission fee.
Santa Barbara Contemporary Arts ForumFAMILY + is a series of and multi-disciplinary workshops that offers families hands-on experiences related to the creative processes of art making. Children are encouraged to participate in hands-on art, music, photography, dance, video, and other interdisciplinary activities, gaining valuable critical thinking skills by posing questions and offering art as a means to explore potential answers.
Santa Barbara County Parks/Cachuma LakeCachuma Lake offers programs for K - 6. 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, and geology. Nature walks and the Cachuma Lake Nature Center can be included. Fees for boat and park entry only. See web.
Santa Barbara Historical MuseumThe Santa Barbara Historical Society currently offers docent guided tours of its Museum exhibits focused on content levels specific to grades 3, 4, and 5. General guided tours of our "Story of Santa Barbara" exhibit are available for all ages. Outreach slide programs are also available. Contact Robin Roe at 966-1601, x108 for more information.
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 including the Bookmobile. 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 ZooFrom animal encounters, workshops, and tours, the Santa Barbara Zoo has everything an educator needs for a successful, fun-filled educational adventure. All programs support the California Science Content Standards where discussion, demonstration, observation, and active participation create energetic classes. For more information please contact Andrea at 805-962-5339 x46.http://www.sbzoo.org/education.asp
Santa Ynez Valley Historical SocietyThe Santa Ynez Valley Historical Society offers school tours Tues - Friday upon appointment. An fun activity sheet that meets California Education curriculm standards for 3-5 grades is available for all school tours and children visiting the historical museum.
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.
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.