Parent-Child Education Program
Photo Credit: DJ Kast
The Parent Child Education Program is a unique opportunity for students and their parents to learn together. Parent/guardian-child teams meet weekly at a school or community center to learn about marine and environmental science issues, connecting the urban environment and the ocean. Sea Grant's goal is to excite students about learning science and to enhance and empower both the students and their parents through open communication, team building and learning activities. The Parent-Child Education Program makes basic science concepts approachable for parents and students working together, and helps to develop a sense of environmental stewardship, independent thinking, a lifelong interest in science and awareness of career opportunities.
Photo Credit: Josie Chan
Each application of the Parent-Child program is adapted to the community it serves. The curriculum focuses on environmental issues, social responsibility, communication skills, and self-esteem building. As a culmination activity parents and students participate in a one-day field trip on a research vessel in the LA Harbor and/or a visit to an aquarium. They share what they have learned in a poster session that takes place at an awards night celebration.
Curriculum
The Level 1 curriculum focuses on environmental issues, social responsibility, communication skills, and self-esteem building. The Level 2 curriculum engages students in science investigations about the properties of water such as buoyancy, water quality testing, water conservation, aquatic invasive species, biodiversity and climate change. Participants engage their partners in problem solving and finding solutions in class and at home.
Program Locations
The Parent-Child Program has been offered at schools and informal education sites. The current program at the Los Angeles City EXPO Recreation Center serves families from the USC neighborhood and is provided to participants through grant funds from the USC Neighborhood Outreach fund. The program can be initiated at other locations; please contact us for information.
For more information
Linda Chilton213.740.1965
email: lchilton@usc.edu
