Marine Science Institute

Marine Science Institute The Marine Science Institute is a nonprofit that provides engaging & interactive hands-on adventures

🌊 Catch of the Week: One of These Fish Doesn't Belong... 👀Over the past few weeks we've hauled up some absolute Bay favo...
06/02/2026

🌊 Catch of the Week: One of These Fish Doesn't Belong... 👀

Over the past few weeks we've hauled up some absolute Bay favorites:

💙 Thornback rays
🦈 Leopard sharks
🎸 Shovelnose guitarfish
🪼 Moon jellies
🐟Striped sea bass

And then...

⁉️ THIS GUY.

One of these fish doesn't quite belong with the rest of the crowd. In fact, our reaction was something along the lines of:

"Wait... what on earth are YOU doing in the South Bay?"

We've got our suspicions, but we're curious what our fish nerd friends think.

Can you identify this mystery fish?

Bonus points if you know why finding it in the South Bay might be a little surprising. 👇

📸 Huge thanks to Violet, Victoria, Gillian, Jodi, and Tim for capturing and sharing the magic along the way.

💙 We're just one week away from celebrating Marilou and her incredible impact on MSI and our community! 💙Over the years,...
05/29/2026

💙 We're just one week away from celebrating Marilou and her incredible impact on MSI and our community! 💙

Over the years, Marilou has worked alongside staff, volunteers, educators, board members, partners, families, and friends who have helped shape MSI into what it is today. If you've been part of that journey, we'd love to celebrate with you.

Join us as we share stories, reconnect with old friends, and celebrate a truly remarkable legacy.

Event details and RSVP:
https://evite.me/eHHR1ryQXz

Please feel free to share with others from the MSI family who may enjoy celebrating alongside us. 🌊

05/27/2026

🌊 One last Kids Ocean Day post… we promise. (Absolutely no promises.) 💙

We’re finally starting to come down from last week’s Kids Ocean Day high, and we just keep coming back to how special this year felt.

From coastal cleanup and giant aerial beach art to foggy Pacifica skies, sandy shoes, excited students, welcoming community partners, and one very adorable shovelnose guitarfish, this year’s Bay Area event was full of moments we won’t forget anytime soon.

A huge thank you again to:
• The California Coastal Commission
• Mayor Christine Boles
• City of Pacifica
• City of Pacifica Parks, Beaches, and Recreation - PB&R
• Recology of the Coast
• Pacific Beach Coalition for making us feel so incredibly welcome
• Our volunteer teams at Provident Credit Union Exact Sciences and our local Kiwanis community supporters
• Our drone team Drones by the Bay and Nathan Phillips Photography for capturing the day from above
• Every educator, school, student, and behind-the-scenes helper who made the event possible

This year’s theme, One Coast for All, was about belonging, stewardship, and connection to the coastline we all share, and Pacifica truly embodied that spirit from start to finish.

And somehow… we’re already dreaming about next year. 🌊

05/19/2026

🌊 Today at Pacifica State Beach 🌊

Students from across the Bay Area gathered for Kids Ocean Day 2026, spending the day cleaning the coastline, learning about marine ecosystems, and creating giant aerial beach art together.

This year’s theme, One Coast for All, celebrates the belief that the coastline belongs to everyone and that meaningful connection to the ocean helps inspire stewardship and community care.

We are so grateful to the students, educators, volunteers, partners, and supporters who helped make today possible. 💙

More photos and aerial art reveals coming soon.

🌊 Catch of the Week: Showing up for the coast 🌊Tomorrow, students from across the Bay Area will head to Pacifica State B...
05/18/2026

🌊 Catch of the Week: Showing up for the coast 🌊

Tomorrow, students from across the Bay Area will head to Pacifica State Beach for Kids Ocean Day 2026.

There’s something powerful about watching young people step onto the shoreline, gloves and cleanup bags in hand, ready to care for a place that belongs to all of us.

This year’s theme, One Coast for All, is rooted in the belief that everyone deserves connection to the coastline and the opportunity to help protect it. 💙

Tomorrow we clean.
Tomorrow we learn.
Tomorrow we create.

Stay tuned for behind-the-scenes moments and this year’s aerial art reveal.

Sometimes the best compliments come from people discovering MSI for the very first time 💙We were so excited to read this...
05/15/2026

Sometimes the best compliments come from people discovering MSI for the very first time 💙

We were so excited to read this recent review from a local parent who joined us on a school field trip and got to experience the Bay up close alongside their child. From touching sharks and fish, to pulling fishing nets and exploring plankton under microscopes, these are the kinds of hands-on moments that stick with kids long after the day is over.

Thank you for the kind words and for spending part of your day with us. Reviews like this truly mean the world to our team 🦈✨

Have you visited MSI before? We’d love to hear about your favorite memory!

05/14/2026

🌊 The Bay Area Kids Ocean Day event is heading to Pacifica State Beach! 🌊

Marine Science Institute is excited to once again partner with the California Coastal Commission for Kids Ocean Day 2026, bringing students together through coastal cleanup, environmental stewardship, and giant aerial beach art.

This year’s theme, One Coast for All, celebrates the idea that our coastline belongs to all of us, and protecting it takes all of us too.

Next Tuesday, students from across the Bay Area will clean the shoreline before forming a giant shovelnose guitarfish in the sand. We’re especially excited about this year’s artwork because recent educational trawls in the South Bay have revealed an exciting abundance of juvenile guitarfish in local waters. 💙

We’re thrilled to bring this year’s Bay Area event to Pacifica and cannot wait to share this beautiful stretch of coastline with students, educators, and our community partners.

Stay tuned throughout the week for behind-the-scenes moments, aerial art previews, and event-day coverage as we count down to Kids Ocean Day 2026.

Catch of the Week: Rays, Guitarfish & a Very Special VisitorLast week brought an exciting mix of Bay and coastal wildlif...
05/12/2026

Catch of the Week: Rays, Guitarfish & a Very Special Visitor

Last week brought an exciting mix of Bay and coastal wildlife encounters for our students.

Highlights included:

🥞 A thornback ray
🎸 A shovelnose guitarfish
🌊 Tidepool exploration along the coast

And during one of our tidepool programs, students also had the opportunity to observe a baby elephant seal resting safely from a respectful distance.

A special thank you to The Marine Mammal Centerfor monitoring the pup and helping guide safe practices for both students and staff while the animal rested nearby.

Moments like these are powerful reminders that environmental education is not only about observing wildlife, but also about learning how to responsibly share space with it.

It was an unforgettable week of field science, stewardship, and connection to the natural world.

📸 Shout outs to Victoria, Gillian, and Jodi for capturing last weeks magic 🪄 ✨

Something salty is coming your way… 🌊Save the date for World Oceans Day at MSI, a festival full of hands-on science, cur...
05/06/2026

Something salty is coming your way… 🌊

Save the date for World Oceans Day at MSI, a festival full of hands-on science, curious minds, and coastal exploration right here in Redwood City.

We’re bringing the shoreline to life with:
🐟 live animals
🧪 hands-on science stations
🚢 voyages aboard the Robert G. Brownlee
🎶 music, food, and community vibes

Whether you’re a longtime ocean lover or just looking for something fun (and a little different) to do with the family… this day is for you.

📅 Saturday, June 6, 2026
⏰ 10 AM – 3 PM
📍 Marine Science Institute

✨ Free and open to the public

More details available here
https://www.sfbaymsi.org/world-oceans-day

Address

500 Discovery Pkwy
Redwood City, CA
94063

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