Orange Coast College and the Aquarium Partner for a Fall 2026 Hybrid Course Called Ocean Conservation and Community Science
High school and college students can earn three college credits at the Aquarium.
Students explore conservation storytelling at the Coral Lagoon habitat in the Tropical Pacific Gallery. Credit: Aquarium of the Pacific
June 18, 2026
Explore the intersection of conservation, community, and aquariums in a special course offered by Orange Coast College (OCC) and hosted at the Aquarium of the Pacific. Registration is now open for the fall 2026 course, for current OCC students and dual-enrolled high school students. This program is supported by Dr. Allen and Charlotte Ginsburg. Students will learn about animal rescues, technologies for breeding animals for release into the wild, community science and species monitoring, habitat restoration, and the impact of climate change on coastal resilience. Students will explore the role aquariums play in communicating the importance of marine conservation, climate science, and establishing community science programs.
This hybrid class will take place twice per week from (August 25 to December 10) with one weekly in-person meeting at the Aquarium on Tuesdays (6:00-8:30 p.m.) and one meeting on Thursday over Zoom (6:00-8:00 p.m.) with field trips included.
“It is amazing that one of the most recognizable aquariums in the nation and one of the largest community college marine and aquarium science programs in the country have partnered to offer high school and college students the opportunity to explore the role that aquariums can play in ocean conservation through hands-on learning at the Aquarium of the Pacific. We are thankful to Dr. Allen and Charlotte Ginsburg for their vision and support in establishing this fine program,” said, Robert Ellis, professor and Marine Science Department chair at Orange Coast College.
There are no course prerequisites, and seating is limited to thirty students on a first-come, first served basis. It is free to register for the course, and OCC student fees may apply. Parking will be validated at the Aquarium for on-site classes.
Visit the website for more information about registering for the course.
