We were curious. Our curiosity was not limited, but was as wide and horizonless as that of Darwin or Agassiz or Linnaeus or Pliny. – John Steinbeck and Ed Ricketts, Sea of Cortez
Learning from the ocean, aboard the Western Flyer
Our education programs connect students with the ocean through hands-on science, exploration, and the remarkable history of the Western Flyer.
Based in Monterey Bay, our programs bring students aboard a working research vessel and into the surrounding coastal environment, where they learn alongside educators, scientists, and mariners. Students use scientific instruments, collect and observe real data, explore marine ecosystems, and discover connections among science, history, literature, and the arts.
The goal isn’t simply to teach students about the ocean. It’s to give them the opportunity to experience discovery for themselves.
Our Impact, and Counting
Since welcoming students aboard the restored Western Flyer in 2024:
3,400+
Students served
875+
Students at sea
1,800+
Students in docked programs
Our programs serve students from elementary school through college, primarily in Monterey Bay, with additional programs offered in coastal communities during Western Flyer expeditions.
At-Sea Oceanography
Students head out on the ocean aboard the Western Flyer for a hands-on introduction to ocean science and research.
Working alongside our educators and crew, students may collect water samples, deploy plankton nets, operate remotely operated vehicles (ROVs), use oceanographic instruments, examine marine organisms, and explore the physical and biological processes that shape Monterey Bay.
Just as John Steinbeck and Ed Ricketts learned by going out and observing the natural world for themselves, students are encouraged to ask questions, make observations, and follow their curiosity. Learn more about our oceanography program in this video produced by Stanford.
Docked Program
The Western Flyer becomes a floating classroom even while tied to the dock.
Students explore oceanography, marine biology, and the vessel’s history through hands-on activities aboard the boat. Depending on the program, they may investigate plankton, ocean chemistry, marine organisms, fossils, scientific instruments, and the ongoing research conducted aboard the Western Flyer.
Docked programs make it possible for more students to experience the vessel and participate in meaningful science without heading to sea.
MentorShip Program
Our five-day MentorShip program gives high school students and college mentors a deeper opportunity to explore ocean science, creativity, and potential career pathways.
Students work alongside educators, scientists, artists, and maritime professionals through experiences aboard the Western Flyer and around Monterey Bay.
By combining science with art, observation, and exploration, MentorShip encourages students to see the ocean, and their own possibilities, in new ways.
Beyond the Boat
Learning doesn’t stop at the dock.
Our land-based programs take students into the extraordinary environments surrounding Monterey Bay, from beaches and coastal ecosystems to scientific collections and research facilities. Activities can include field observation, nature journaling, scientific illustration, fossils, and other investigations that connect students with the places they are studying.
Bring Your Students Aboard
We work with schools, colleges, educators, and community organizations to create meaningful learning experiences aboard the Western Flyer and throughout Monterey Bay.
Interested in a Program?
Contact Rials Christensen, Director of Education & Science.
In the News & On the Blog
Bringing Western Flyer Data to Life
August 25, 2026A team at the Naval Postgraduate School has developed a new interactive platform using environmental data from the Western Flyer. Called VIGOR, the platform allows users to retrace past expeditions and follow the vessel’s location and environmental observations live from Monterey Bay.
View Full ArticleFrom the Western Flyer to World Champions!
July 08, 2026X Academy’s Hephaestus Robotics team just took first place at the 2026 MATE ROV World Championship, competing against 47 high school teams from 13 countries.
View Full ArticleApplications Open for the Western Flyer’s MentorShip Program – July 13-17
July 02, 2026The Western Flyer Foundation is accepting applications for its free MentorShip Program, a unique week-long summer experience in Moss Landing, July 13–17.
View Full ArticleA Day at the Dock: The Student Field Trip Experience
March 30, 2026In this reflection, Education Manager Rials Christensen captures the unique energy of a Western Flyer field trip—from the excitement of younger students discovering the story of John Steinbeck and Ed Ricketts, to high school students grappling with deeper questions about science, history, and identity.
View Full ArticleWhere Story Meets Science: Reflections from Our Education Manager
Rials Christensen, Education Manager, November 10, 2025In this feature, our new Education Manager Rials Christensen shares how the Western Flyer’s legacy of exploration inspires curiosity, creativity, and connection across generations.
View Full ArticleThe Time X Academy Students Got to Go on the Western Flyer!
November 05, 2025The vans rolled out of the X Academy Maker Space just as the sky began to lighten, a soft blue glow stretching over Watsonville. It was early—6:45 a.m.—but the energy was unmistakable.
View Full Article