Morro Bay Museum of Natural History Classroom Kits
The Morro Bay Museum of Natural History Classroom Kits bring the excitement of the museum right into your classroom! Our Classroom Kits give K-5 students a hands-on way to explore the wonders of the natural world and help foster a deeper understanding and appreciation of their local ecosystems. Kits are available for teachers to reserve and include museum specimens (or replicas), NGSS aligned lesson plans and other materials to supplement this unique learning experience.
The Classroom Kits
Marine Mammals of the Central Coast
The Central Coast of California is a place that we can spot many marine mammals right from the shore! Students will explore what a marine mammal is, the different niches they occupy, their similarities and their differences and the challenges they face due to human activities.
Native Plants
Native plants are amazing. They provide food and shelter for animals, create healthy soil and can even help protect us from wildfires. This kit will help students learn the impact of native v. non-native plants on the environment, to identify different local plant types, and create their own museum plant specimen.
Watersheds
Have you ever thought about the journey water takes? Healthy watersheds are necessary for healthy ecosystems and healthy humans alike! Through hands-on activities, students will learn all about the water cycle and will be challenged to think about how their actions can affect their local watershed.
Bird Beak Adaptations
Morro Bay is an important stop over for migrating birds. It’s also home to many different kinds of birds year-round! In this kit, students can examine three different local birds and learn how their beak shape is perfectly adapted to the foods they eat. They will also learn how these predator and prey interactions keep the ecosystem in balance.
Tidepools
Tidepools are unique, and often harsh, habitats that exist on the edge of the land and sea. The animals that make their home there survive because of their special adaptations. Students will learn how to identify common tide pool creatures, compare how these creatures survive and thrive and how to practice good tide pool etiquette.
Are you a K-5 teacher interested in bringing the museum into your classroom? Call the Morro Bay Museum of Natural History at (805)772-2694 to reserve a classroom kit! Classroom kits can be picked up and returned at the museum during regular business hours.
The Morro Bay Museum of Natural History is the only natural history museum in the California State Park system and is home to a collection of over 5,000 natural history specimens that represent the amazing biodiversity of the local area. In 2023, the Morro Bay Museum of Natural History, in partnership with the Central Coast State Parks Association, was awarded a grant funded by the California Cultural & Historical Endowment with the goal of reaching new audiences, increasing access to the museum collection and fostering a sense of community through experiential learning. The Classroom Kits were created to meet these goals.