Bay Academy
The Bay Academy was formed in 2017 as an academic and research branch of the BayEcotarium. It works with various departments within the organization to curate educational content aligned with the institutional mission. Its goals are to:
- Develop and maintain Digital Archives for Publications and Visual Assets
- Engage in collaborative field research on ocean bio-diversity, pollution and Climate Change with an intent to generate public awareness and action
- Offer Certificate programs and e-learning modules based on marine and environmental science advocacy to highlight global Sustainable Development Goals (SDG)
- Engage Bay Area Corporations through Social Responsibility and Impact Investment Initiatives
- Work with City, Regional, State and Federal institutions on policy, programs, prototyping and Data Analysis
eLearning Modules
Bay Academy eLearning modules are interactive online tools to help students learn about Climate Resilience and Ocean Conservation. This program is geared to meet Next Generation Science Standards for students in grades 7-12. Our mission is to enable ocean conservation & climate action through environmental stewardship. Part of that includes promoting literacy in ocean and watershed health, climate change, and science career development through the lens of critical issues: sustainable seafood, marine protected areas, marine debris, climate change, and freshwater flows. The important connections between systemic inequality and environmental degradation are also investigated.
The Bioacoustics Program focuses on marine animal communication and behavior in relation to complex ecosystems within the Bay.
The Environmental Justice program focuses on the Hunter’s Point / Bayview area in San Francisco and the story of the effects of radioactive waste on the community. It also ties in similar instances of pollution sites and their connection to systemic inequality around the United States.
What we offer
- Publications:
Environmental studies, reports and more - Bay Voices:
Through blogs, podcasts and our Film and Lecture series, we answer all your burning questions about watershed science and conservation. - Virtual Field Trips:
Experience virtual field trips with Skype in the Classroom! - Extending your Field Trip into the Classroom:
Resources that you can use in your classroom both before and after field trips
SYLVIA EARLE ACADEMIC (SEA) Scholarship
The Aquarium of the Bay invites applications from currently enrolled undergraduate and graduate students aspiring to specialize in environmental studies, ocean conservation, marine biology, sustainability and or policy work.
The $8000 Scholarship will commence on World Ocean Day June 8 each year and will continue over a 12 month period. Please include a 1000 word essay highlighting your on-going work and aspirational impact you strive for, a current resume, enrollment details of the University program and a letter of recommendation from a current faculty member and mail it to [email protected] no later than March 31, 2022.
CLIC Program
Designed for C-Suite executives and mid-career sustainability professionals in the CSR/ ESD realm, the CLIC (Climate Leadership Innovation Certificate) initiative is a 2 Week professional Certification offered in collaboration with UC Berkeley Innovation Forum and program partners at Oxford Leadership and Shammy Jacob-Klooster Consultancy.
CLIC Program
The CLIC (Climate Leadership Innovation Certificate) Initiative is a week-long professional certification that will be administered by professionals and knowledge experts in locations around the world experiencing environmental distress. The program case references site specific action, where policy interventions and appropriate technologies are being applied. CLIC encourages fostering environmental leadership from underserved communities and the developing world with thoughtful leadership on key emerging topics that will shape our collective future. It will convene regional and global forums and serve as a platform for leaders across the globe to engage with peers and subject matter experts on key strategic issues related to oceans such as energy, environment, food, health, disaster resilience, security, prosperity and governance. Through strategic foresight and macro-level water analysis as a common denominator of environmental stewardship, leaders will learn practical, innovative courses of action for change.
Program Goals
- Enable partnerships that will empower sustainable climate resilience solutions through knowledge, innovation, and transformative business models.
- Leverage Silicon Valley technologies such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, synthetic biology, 3D printing, and robotics to generate new environmental products.
- Apply California’s experience and environmental influence to lead the US and the world in accelerating solutions to global water problems.
- Create a movement through education, non-traditional partnerships, and exponential technologies.
- Change the way of addressing environmental issues by harnessing climate consciousness of the world through water.
- Demonstrate the consequences of in-action and the threat to national security. Investing in water creates economic opportunities, raises GDP and lifts people out of poverty.
CLIC 1
The first CLIC Program is being planned for the island of Hispaniola, which comprise Haiti and the Dominican Republic, and tentatively set for November, 2020. The formal academic components will be enhanced by taking participants through both countries and highlighting the environmental challenges using case studies. There will be sessions organized with leaders and policy-makers, environmental agencies, universities, community groups and NGOs to foster a vibrant immersion into the issues, leading to solutions
Subscribe to our newsletter to stay informed as this program develops:
Partnership with Sophia University, Japan
The Bay Ecotarium signed a 5-year Memorandum of Understanding (2020-2025) with Sophia University (est. 1913), one of the top private Universities in Japan. With agreements with 370 overseas universities in 77 countries, Sophia University led the move of internationalization of Japan enhancing teaching and research for its faculty and students, fostering reciprocity for others to do the same in Japan; it is regarded as Japan’s pioneer in Global Education.
The Program of Work will be led by the Bay Academy and the counterpart institution at Sophia University – Institute for Studies of the Global Environment. It will focus on joint and articulated professional certificate programs; grant writing, teaching, research and cultural activities; mobility of faculty, scholars, and students between institutions; and develop and share STEAM educational materials, among other areas of collaboration.
This partnership is expected to be mutually beneficial and will increase the national and global reach for both institutions. The synergy aims to further increase collaborations between the United States and Japan, and steadfastly tackle ocean conservation issues globally.
Island Sustainability Course
As part of this partnership, we have developed a graduate-level/mid-career professional level course entitled “Island Sustainability”. This course was held in the Colombia, South America in early 2020 with 12 participants in the 14-day course. The 2021 Course is scheduled for February, 2021 in the Marshall Islands, Pacific Ocean and will have 20 spaces for subscription to be open on August 1, 2020 through the Bay Academy. The course will be taught by Prof. Anne McDonald (Sophia University), Dr. Juan Serrano (Javeriana University, Colombia) and Dr Dayne Buddo (Bay Academy), who have a combined experience of 90 years in marine research and ocean conservation. The course will teach the fundamental concepts of island ecology, sustainable development on islands, biodiversity and human welfare, engaging participants with case studies through field projects in the Marshall Islands.
Online Programs and Resources:
The Academy continues to develop several online resources to facilitate access to accurate information and appropriate learning tools. Teachers, students and parents have been using these resources to enhance K-12 learning. The Academy’s team of Educational Specialists regularly updates materials, and develops new modules based on the dynamic needs of the audience. \
At Home Learning
Looking for ways to learn and explore science topics with your kids at home?
You can continue learning at home through our free lesson plans for K-12th students. They each include art activities, writing practice, and experiments you can do with household supplies!
Plastic Free Campus
Bay Academy has joined forces with Plastic Free Campus in the fight against plastic pollution in our Oceans. And it starts with you! You can make a difference in this global challenge that affects us all by learning key concepts, strategies and actions to make a positive impact on our health and environment.
Aquarium of the Bay – Educational Video Lessons:
Students and teachers across the Bay Area, the US, and the Caribbean are engaging with our biologists in interactive video tours of the Aquarium of the Bay. Each live interactive session showcases the interesting animals in our facility and ties back to Next Generation Science Standards. During these interactive lessons, students have the opportunity to ask the biologist key questions.
- This program is currently fully booked.
- To inquire about future offerings, please send an email to [email protected]
On-going Courses
Diving for Citizen Scientists Course
The Bay Academy has developed a diving course geared towards citizens with scuba certification who want to get more involved with ocean conservation. The course will be led by NAUI Master Instructor, Doug Apple, Manager of Education & Outreach at Aquarium of the Bay with support from Chris Grace, PADI Master Scuba Diver Trainer and Aquarium of the Bay’s Dive Safety Officer.
Dive Schedule:
May 13 & 14
July 29 & 30
October 7 & 8
December 2 & 3
You would earn 2 NAUI Specialty Certifications:
- NAUI Underwater Naturalist (3 dives)
- NAUI Kelp Restoration Diver (2 dives)
- One fun dive led by a NAUI Dive Professional
Students also receive training and knowledge from our team at Aquarium of the Bay about the interesting facts on the aquatic wildlife in the Bay Area. This will include the opportunity to do a single dive in our 370,000 gallon Nearshore Tunnel exhibit. This unique experience will provide you the opportunity to get up close to thousands of fish including giant sea bass, garibaldi, numerous rockfish and perch species to highlight a few.
If you are interested in doing more diving at the Aquarium, consider joining our team of volunteer divers. This is a weekly opportunity to help care for the nearly 20,000 animals that call the Aquarium home. On SCUBA, assist with underwater maintenance of our aquarium exhibits, including vacuuming and scrubbing, preparing diets and performing broadcast and targeted feeds to a variety of animals.
NOTE: A California Sportfishing License is required for Kelp Restoration Dives.
Package includes:
- NAUI Materials
- Seven total dives!
- Tank fills for Open Water Dives (6 tank fills)
- Instruction
- Certification Cards (2)
- A guided VIP Experience tour of the Aquarium before opening hours
- A dive in the Aquarium nearshore tunnel
Cost: $800
Does not include:
- Scuba gear, wetsuit or basic gear
- Transportation to Monterey Bay dive sites
- Meals and refreshments
Sign up for the Course today, as space is limited!
At-Home Academics start immediately, and the Open Water Dives start December 10 & 11, 2022!
Contact [email protected] with any questions.
Internships
The Bay Academy offers internships that seek to build our program while offering interns the opportunity to build their skills and career. We are currently offering 2 Internships:
Educational/Curatorial Internship
Description: The Educational/Curatorial intern will work alongside our Education and Conservation team to craft new educational content for bay.org and its operations. Specifically, the Educational/Curatorial intern will work to create new public programming and update existing programming by researching topics and best practices, checking for accuracy, and updating outdated content.
Eligibility Qualifications: Experience with best practices for informal/formal learning strongly preferred. Experience working with science curricula strongly preferred. Passion for science, conservation, and San Francisco Bay required. Strong written and verbal communication skills.
E-Learning Program Internship
Description: The e-learning Program intern will play an important role in increasing the number of training resources available to the BayEcotarium clientele, including teachers and students, as part of an initiative to create the Bay E-Academy. The intern will work closely with the Conservation and Education departments to develop curriculum-based learning modules from middle school through to undergraduate and or graduate levels, as part of phase 1.
Eligibility Qualifications: Coursework in instructional design, educational technology, or a related field preferred. Two years’ minimum experience working with the creation of educational material online through membership portals preferred. Experience with graphic and e-learning software (Articulate, Adobe Photoshop, Premiere or other video editing software).
Contact Bay Academy
Email: [email protected]
