Maritime on the Move

Maritime on the Move (MotM) brings museum-quality maritime related experiences to locations throughout Santa Barbara County (Santa Barbara Harbor, Carpinteria, and Oso Flaco Lake). The adventures begin outdoors and incorporate engaging activities to enjoy while exploring local ecosystems and biomes. Each activity can be tailored to meet individual needs and adapted for all ages to provide an unforgettable educational experience.

Your Outdoor Adventure Starts here (how to’s, videos, & maps)

Marine Science

SBMM’s Marine Science program embarks on a 2-hour floating lab aboard a local vessel. Students explore the Santa Barbara Channel and experience coastal California as citizen scientists. Working in small groups students participate in labs that include sampling water quality, observing marine invertebrates, studying plankton, and oceanic food webs. SBMM created this program to allow youth access to the local marine environment.

Marine Science Video

Ocean Connections

Ocean Connections links art, ocean awareness, and marine ecology education. With trained Ocean Educators students are introduced to the unique oceanographic conditions that make the Santa Barbara Channel so productive and diverse with wildlife. Educators share important ecological facts on why ocean health is critical to the sustainability of our planet discussing tangible solutions that empower students to be stewards of our water planet. This will set the stage for a session creating Love Letters to the Sea.

Girls in Ocean Science

The Girls in Ocean Science Conference (GiOS) connects influential ocean experts with the next generation of ocean ambassadors. Encouraging and empowering young women to explore maritime and ocean-science-based fields of study and careers. Bringing together bright minds to create idea-focused conversations and experiences that foster learning, inspiration, and wonder. During SBMM’s GiOS conference experts will share their lives, careers, and interests with local high-school students. Sponsored by Steinmetz Family Foundation

Love Letters to the Sea

Love Letters to the Sea created by Art Educator/Founder, Sondra Weiss provides opportunities for students to use their art and words as power for global change, empowering participants to act as a voice for the ocean. The handwritten letters are a balance of poetry and notions with an emphasis on formal letter construction.

Love Letters to the Sea Activity

Field Trips

SBMM is known for its dedication to interactive education and youth programs. Among these educational efforts is their Docent-led Field Trips. Students experience a 90-minute tour of the Museum and the Santa Barbara Harbor. Docent-led Field Trips can be arranged to fit with specific grade-level curricula studies.

Register for a Field Trip

Tall Ship Program

Students sign aboard as greenhands for a voyage from Boston to Alta California in the 1830s, recreating Richard Henry Dana, Jr.’s experience in his book, Two Years Before the Mast. Students participate in a variety of activities, including rowing long boats, working the sails, rigging, collecting hides, and cooking for the crew. In this living history program, 4th-grade students are immersed in California history while developing critical thinking, teamwork, communication and leadership skills.

Tall Ship Program Video

Lecture Series

Sponsored by Marie L Morrisroe

On the third Thursday of every month (expect December), SBMM brings local and visiting lecturers to our community to discuss a wide variety of maritime topics ranging from local, national and international historical events, and current environmental challenges to photography presentations or film screenings, and often coincide with temporary or permanent Museum exhibits.

Watch videos of our past lectures

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Educational Programs