Get Inspired   

Get Inspired was started in 2009 in an effort to restore the kelp forests of Orange County.  This project, like all our projects, involves the community and students from elementary through community college age. More than 15,000 students have grown animals and kelp in their classrooms and 250 volunteer scuba divers have been involved in our varied projects to restore our coastal species.  We successfully restored the kelp and we are now focused on restoring green abalone, white seabass, and now we have just become the first to raise pismo clams.  Students help rear the abalone and seabass in specially designed classroom nurseries where they make their own seawater and daily test and adjust the water chemistry to maintain the perfect environment for our organisms.  An intensive hands on STEM program, there is no other program like in the country.  Several of our students have published their own scientific research papers with the Academy of Sciences and many have been "Inspired" to study marine sciences in college and have even come back to volunteer as professionals!   In addition to hands on classroom STEM curriculum, we also have taken thousands of students to Yosemite, Channel islands, and Joshua Tree National Parks to study ecology and geology.  These AP Environmental Science students participated in our "Science Expedition" trips to learn field research techniques and also conducted field research projects for their classes. With STEM as our continued focus, we offer Aquaponics programs in schools to give kids a hands on science and experiential learning opportunity.  Students build and  operate a system designed to grow fish and food crops all in one tank system.  The kids learn biology, engineering, chemistry, and ecology applicable for every grade level AND learn how to grow their own food (we believe this is an essential life skill) .  The fish and food crops are harvested and eaten throughout the school year.