Education Counts
Education Counts
IN ADDITION TO UNIVERSITY PARTNERSHIPS, CCA WORKS WITH LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS TO CREATE EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCES THAT ADDRESS IMPORTANT COMMUNITY NEEDS.
Developing innovative educational solutions that address critical community needs is always top of mind for CCA, and the organizations it works with are equally dedicated to providing exciting learning experiences for students and park visitors. Beyond its work with UC Irvine, other important local partners include Newport Landing Sportfishing (NLS) and the Braille Institute.
Thanks to CCA’s relationship with NLS, we are able to lower barriers for underserved students to access CCA’s innovative Marine Protected Area Citizen Science Cruise. This partnership is a model for other organizations, showing how a conservation group and a sportfishing company can work together to deliver high-quality education programs at affordable prices for schools.
Meanwhile, the Braille Institute of Orange County connects with CCA on its SNAP! (Science & Nature at the Park) Program in a new series that combines field science with improvements in sightless visitors’ mobility and independence. Braille Institute students became citizen scientists and helped to listen for threatened species of birds as part of an emerging suite of programs for the new Berns Environmental Study Loop (opening on February 1, 2014). The experience is designed to build both confidence and skills for Braille students to enjoy the park independently. Once the study loop opens, the public will also be able to immerse themselves in educational programs and experiences