Discovery Lab & Tour

Science and art, no matter the medium, often go hand in hand. Here at the Seymour Center, we love to highlight that connection. 

For the 2025-2026 school year, we’re hosting a poetry contest for 4-12 grade students.

We are seeking poems that discuss science (ecology, climate change, animal behavior, etc.) and inspire positive change. Extra attention will be paid to those who highlight conservation-minded actions or scientific solutions that help make a better world. 

Rules for entry: 

• Poetry can be written in any poetic style and on any relevant subject.
• A poem in its entirety must be an original work by the student entering the contest. Please, no AI authors!
• Only one poem per student
• Poetry must be submitted by May 31, 2026

Eligibility: 

• Must be in a 4th-12th grade class, and have attended a field trip at the Seymour Marine Discovery Center during the 2025-2026 school year. 

How to Enter: 

With parent, guardian, or teacher support, participants should complete the entry form, where they will upload their poetry. If the student is 18 years or older, they can complete the form themselves.

Prizes:

There will be two winners brackets- 4th-8th grade, and 9th-12th grade. Finalists will be contacted by Friday, June 5th. Winners will be announced by June 15th. All finalists’ poems will be featured in our exhibit hall before moving to our Keedy Lab classroom for longer-term display. 

1st Place: Two admission tickets to the Seymour Marine Discovery Center PLUS a Double Kayak Rental with Kayak Connection in Elkhorn Slough.

2nd Place: Two admission tickets to the Seymour Marine Discovery Center PLUS a $30 gift certificate to Bookshop Santa Cruz.

3rd Place: Two admission tickets to the Seymour Marine Discovery Center PLUS a $10 gift certificate to our Ocean Discovery Shop.

Thank you to Kayak Connection and Bookshop Santa Cruz for prize donations.

• Discovery Labs run Tuesday–Friday from October–May
• Lab programs start at 9:00 and 10:50

• Approximately 100 minutes for lab and tour.
• Plan additional time for students to explore the aquarium, shark pool, exhibits, and whale skeletons after your program.

• 32 students maximum per Discovery Lab & Tour—no exceptions. 16 student minimum.
• Please do not bring any additional students or unscheduled groups. Siblings are not permitted in the classroom during the Discovery Lab.
• Only five adults total—the teacher plus four chaperones—are permitted inside the classroom during the Discovery Lab. Any additional drivers and chaperones are free to enjoy the exhibit hall, outdoor exhibits, and nature paths. They are welcome to rejoin students for the guided tour. All adults are expected to assist with supervision and appropriate student behavior.
• We recommend bringing only the number of adult chaperones necessary to transport your students.

• Flat $175 fee* for a Discovery Lab & Tour field trip program.
• Parking paid separately through ParkMobile app.
• *Scholarship funds may be available to cover a portion of the program fee for qualifying Title I schools. See details in the Scholarships section below.

We are often able to reduce Discovery Lab program fees for low-income schools whenever funds are available in our scholarship fund. Thank you to donors supporting our Youth Programs scholarship fund and the Clif Family Foundation.

Teachers of classes from verified Title I schools with Schoolwide Programs are eligible to apply for Discovery Lab program scholarships. Find your school’s Title I status at ed-data.org

1. Preference for full scholarships ($175) will be awarded to qualifying classes that attend Discovery Labs scheduled for October 14, 2025, through January 16, 2026.
2. Scholarship awards may cover $90 or all $175 of the Discovery Lab program fee.
3. Reserve a Discovery Lab field trip date/time online BEFORE submitting a scholarship request. There is no charge to reserve a Discovery Lab.
4. There is no charge to cancel your Discovery Lab reservation within four days of being notified by email of your scholarship status.
5. Please note that we are unable to provide scholarships for parking. Parking is paid separately through the ParkMobile app.
6. Complete the Discovery Lab Scholarship Request form. You will receive an award determination from discover@ucsc.edu within 10 days of submitting your form.

Questions? Email us at discover@ucsc.edu

What times do Discovery Lab & Tour programs start and finish?

• Programs last approximately 100 minutes (Discovery Lab investigations last 60 minutes, followed by a 40-minute behind-the-scenes guided tour and wrap-up discussion).
• 9:00 program concludes at approximately 10:45
• 10:50 program concludes at approximately 12:35
• We encourage you to plan some extra time after your program for your class to enjoy their snack or lunch and explore the aquarium, shark pool, exhibits, and whale skeletons.

How can I improve our chances of scheduling a Discovery Lab?

• Join our Educator Mailing List so you’ll be notified when the Discovery Lab & Tour booking calendar opens in late August.
• Have your preferred dates ready in advance so you can book your program as soon as the reservation calendar opens.
• Consider booking a fall or winter program, since spring dates fill quickly.
• Double-check that the program date/time you book does not conflict with other special school events or transportation schedules.

When will I find out the date scheduled for my Discovery Lab?

• Immediately! Once you have scheduled your program online, we will hold the date and time for you.

What if more than one class from my school wants to schedule a Discovery Lab & Tour? Do we need to book a different program for each class?

• Yes. Schedule separate Discovery Lab programs for each class. Class size may not exceed 32 students per program.

If two classes must come on the same day in one bus, what can the 10:50 class do while the 9:00 class is in session?

• We recommend that the class scheduled for the 10:50 program enjoy our outdoor exhibits, explore the pathways, and eat a snack until the Seymour Center exhibit hall opens at 10:00.
• Or, enjoy the beach at Natural Bridges State Beach, a short drive up the road. Contact Natural Bridges well in advance at (831) 423-0871 or email naturalbridges@ports-ca.us for more information. Be advised that Natural Bridges has no sheltered areas for eating. Make sure the class is back at the Seymour Center by 10:45 to begin their Discovery Lab.

If my class is scheduled for a 10:50 program, can we come early to explore?

• Yes, and please let us know what time to expect you. The exhibit hall opens at 10 AM.

Can we eat lunch and snacks at the Seymour Center?

• Yes, we have outdoor classrooms with picnic tables available on a first-come, first-served basis.
• These covered, open-air shelters provide some protection from wind, rain, and sun for your class.
• In the event of wet/cold weather, be sure to bring activities for students to do in cars/on the bus.

Other questions?

• Email Youth Programs at discover@ucsc.edu

Book a Discovery Lab & Tour

You will be invoiced after you schedule your program. If your group must cancel or reschedule, please contact us right away at discover@ucsc.edu so that another class can fill your space. Any payments received will be credited toward a future field trip within the same school year.