The SEA Lab
Since 1997, the Corps has operated and managed the marine conservation and education programs at this hands-on science center located in the City of Redondo Beach. Each year, SEA Lab staff, corpsmembers and volunteers educate schoolchildren and visitors about marine life and the importance of protecting our oceans.
Visit the SEA Lab
The SEA Lab is located at 1021 N. Harbor Drive, Redondo Beach, CA 90277.
Metered parking is available across the street on Yacht Club Way.
Suggested donation of $2.00 per person or $4.00 per family.
SEA Lab hours of operation are as follows: Tuesday - Friday: 9:00AM - 3:30PM
Saturday: 10:00AM - 4:00PM
We are closed every Monday & Sunday.
Please note that we will be celebrating Earth Day on Saturday, April 20th with a large community fair from 10am-2pm. The touch tank area will be open throughout the day.
Hands-on facility tours are offered:
Tuesday - Friday at 1:00PM, 2:00PM and 3:00PM
Saturday: 10:00AM, 11:00AM, 12:15PM, 1:00PM, 2:00PM and 3:00PM
Join us every Saturday at 12:00PM for a public fish feeding! For $2.00 per tray of food, you can help feed our fish in our tidepool tank! Trays are subject to availability and are sold on a first-come, first served basis.
Groups of 10 or more should schedule a private tour ahead of time by calling 310-318-7438.
The SEA Lab will be closed May 28th.
School Programs The SEA Lab has a variety of programs available for your school. Please read through the different programs we offer to find the right one for you and your students! If you are interested in any of the programs listed below, please complete the field trip request form or call us at 310-318-7438.
Scheduling for the academic year (October-June) begins in September. Scheduling for the summer (July & August) begins in May.
SEA Lab Field Trip
Field Trip consists of three 45-minute activities.
*Guided touch tank tour
*Beach exploration
*Grade specific classroom/lab activity for K-12th
Grade School Group Rates:
$120 (maximum of 25 students + 2 free chaperones)
$180 (maximum of 35 students + 3 free chaperones)
$300 (maximum of 50 students + 5 free chaperones)
$480 (maximum of 75 students + 7 free chaperones)
*Teachers are free.
*There is a $5 fee for additional chaperones.
Parent & Child Program:
Field trip consists of two 45-minute activities.
*Guided touch tank tour
*Story & craft activity
$60 (Scheduled group for maximum of 10 children & 10 adults)
$120 (Scheduled group for maximum of 20 children & 20 adults)
$180 (Scheduled group for maximum of 30 children & 30 adults)
Please note that you will be charged for the number of participants that are scheduled. If you have fewer participants on the actual date of your field trip, you must still pay for the expected number that you scheduled.
You must notify us at least 1-week prior to your scheduled field trip to make any changes to your reservation.
“Key to the Sea” Field Trip
Field Trip consists of a 45-minute guided touch tank tour & 90-minute beach exploration.
$4 per student.
Teachers are free + 1 free chaperone for every 10 students.
All participating teachers must attend professional development workshop.
If teachers fail to attend workshops or register as “veteran” participants, the regular program fee will be applied. For K-5th Grade Only 25 field trip dates available for 2012-2013 The professional development teacher workshops are a required component of the Key to the Sea program. Every teacher who is participating in the field trip must attend a workshop (or be Veteran/Year3+). During the workshop, you will be given a multi-disciplinary standards-aligned curriculum guide as well as supplies to implement lessons back in the classroom.
Workshop I
*For K-5 teachers participating in Key to the Sea for the first time.
*Topics: watersheds, local marine life, marine conservation, & more.
*Includes: a supply-filled tote bag and curriculum guide!
Workshop II
*For K-5 teachers who completed Workshop I & did Key to the Sea last year.
*Topics: Waves and tides, habitats, plastics in the ocean & more.
*Includes: “Make-and-take” teaching tools, curriculum guide, & t-shirt!
Veteran Teacher Participation
Once you have completed Workshop I and Workshop II, there are no further workshops to attend but it is mandatory to submit the Workshop Registration / Veteran Teacher Notification Form.
For more detailed information regarding this program, please visit the Key to the Sea website.
“Water Conservation” Field Trip
Field trip consists of three 45-minute activities.
$4 per student.
Teachers are free + 1 free chaperone for every 10 students.
*Guided touch tank tour
*Guided beach exploration
*Guided tour of West Basin Municipal Water District's Water Education Center.
Please note that you will be charged for the number of participants that are scheduled. If you have fewer participants on the actual date of your field trip, you must still pay for the expected number that you scheduled. You must notify us at least 1-week prior to your scheduled field trip to make any changes to your reservation.
Fun Fishing Field Trip [FREE]
Sponsored by the Montrose Settlements Restoration Program.
Free for schools located in the red and orange zones identified on the map within Los Angeles County.
For 4th-5th grade students.
Accommodates up to 60 students per visit. 12 field trips will be offered in October. Transportation is included.
THERE ARE NO MORE DATES AVAILABLE FOR 2012-2013. PLEASE CHECK BACK FOR AVAILABLE DATES FOR 2013-2014.
The goal of the program is to educate youth on healthy fishing and consumption practices. Field trip consists of three activities
*An interactive food chain game
*A guided tour of the SEA Lab focused on fishing identification
*A fishing excursion
Water Wanderings Outreach Program [FREE]
Sponsored by Central Basin Municipal Water District
Free for schools within the district's service area. (see list below)
For 4th & 5th grade students.
Accommodates an average of 90 students per visit.
Program is offered on Thursdays & Fridays. The SEA Lab's Traveling Tidepool visits your school and leads three 45-minute activities
*Touch Tank Station: A hands-on learning station where students learn about the marine organisms and their trophic levels.
*California's Water Jeopardy Game: Multimedia game where students learn to appreciate California's water as a scarce and valuable resource.
*Decomposer Game: An interactive food chain game
Central Basin Municipal Water District's Service Area: Bell Gardens, Downey, Montebello, Norwalk, Vernon, La Habra Heights, La Mirada, Pico Rivera, Santa Fe Springs, Whittier and unincorporated areas of West Whittier-Los Nietos and South Whittier, Bell, Commerce, Huntington Park, Maywood, Walnut Park and portions of Cudahy, Monterey Park and unincorporated areas of East Los Angeles Lynwood, South Gate, Florence-Graham, Willowbrook and portions of Cudahy, Compton and Carson, Artesia, Bellflower, Cerritos, Hawaiian Gardens, Lakewood, Paramount and Signal Hill
To schedule this program, please call (323) 201-5519.
Splash Science Outreach Program [FREE]
Sponsored by West Basin Municipal Water District
Free for schools within the district's service area. (see list below)
For 4th & 5th grade students.
Accommodates an average of 90 students per visit.
Program is offered on Tuesdays.
The SEA Lab's Traveling Tidepool visits your school and leads three 45-minute activities
*Touch Tank Station: A hands-on learning station where students learn about the marine organisms and their trophic levels.
*Multimedia Trivia Game: Students learn about Southern California's water supply.
*Aqueduct Races: Interactive game where students learn about their water use and how water is supplied to Southern California.
West Basin Municipal Water District's Service Area: Carson, Culver City, El Segundo, Gardena, Hawthorne, Hermosa Beach, Inglewood, Lawndale, Lomita, Malibu, Manhattan Beach, Palos Verdes Estates, Rancho Palos Verdes, Redondo Beach, Rolling Hills, Rolling Hills Estates, West Hollywood and unincorporated areas of Los Angeles County.
To schedule this program, please call 310-660-6216.
“Splash Science” Field Trip [FREE]
Sponsored by West Basin Municipal Water District
Free for schools within the district's service area. (see list above)
For 4th & 5th grade students.
Accommodates an average of 60 students per visit.
Visit the SEA Lab and participate in three 45-minute activities
*Guided touch tank tour where students learn about the marine organisms and their trophic levels.
*Guided tour of West Basin's NEW Water Education Center where students learn about Southern California's water supply. *Aqueduct Races: Interactive game where students learn about their water use and how water is supplied to Southern California.
To schedule this program, please call 310-660-6216.
SEA Lab Summer Camp
We offer half-day camps for our "Mini Mariners"(4-6yrs) from 9am-1pm.
The "Mini Mariners" stay at the aquarium for the majority of their time but they also visit the sandy beach during the week.
We have a ratio of 1 counselor for 5 campers.
This session will be offered July 22-26 & August 5-9.
The week-long camp for the "Ocean Explorers" (7-11yrs) is from 9am-3pm.
We go kayaking and tidepooling during this session.
We have a ratio of 1 counselor for 10 campers while at the aquarium and 1 to 5 for field activities.
This session will be offered July 29-August 2 & August 12-16.
The 2013 summer camp registration will begin on April 20th during our Earth Day celebration. A 25% discount will be offered to anyone who registers on April 20th. This is a one-time offer. Registration will be online. The online form will begin accepting registrations on April 20th. For more information download the summer camp flyer.
Volunteer Opportunities
SEA Lab volunteers gain valuable experience while developing friendships and improving the community.
To become a SEA Lab Volunteer:
1. Download and complete the SEA Lab Volunteer Application.
2. Drop off or mail application to:
1021 North Harbor Drive
Redondo Beach, CA 90277.
3. Attend an interview.
4. Attend orientation and training sessions.
Interviews and trainings are held twice a year (months to be announced).
If you have any further questions, please email us at ccarmolinga@lacorps.org.
Volunteer at the Redondo Beach Bluffs!
Do you need a few hours of community service or just want to lend a hand?
Join us as we enhance the beauty of the Redondo Beach bluffs with a diverse community of native shrubs and beautiful wildflowers. Help us maintain this habitable area for native wildlife by removing invasive plant species and educating the public about the local natural environments.
When? The last Saturday of each month from 10am-2pm.
January 26, February 23, March 30, April 27, May 25, and June 29.
For more information, please download the flyer or call 310-318-7457.
Let our friendly and knowledgeable staff provide the best birthday ever for your child. Guests will be guided through our touch tank area where kids can explore the creatures of the sea. Included with your party is the use of our facility for two hours, tables, chairs, ocean or pirate-themed decorations and more!
Birthday parties are held on Saturdays from 10:00AM-12:00PM and 1:00PM-3:00PM.
Two themes to choose from:
Ocean Party or Pirate P-arrr-ty.
Party Package of $350 includes (20 participants):
*Themed goodie bags for participating children
*Present for birthday child
*Age-specific games and activities (theme-related)
*$10.00 per every additional child.
For more information or to schedule your special event, please call (310) 318-7458 or send us an e-mail to schedule your party.
For printed information, download the birthday flyer.
The SEA Lab's native plant nursery grows coastal native plants used for local habitat restoration projects. Corpsmembers gain valuable skills as they participate in all the steps of the growing process from collecting seeds to planting the native vegetation in and around the South Bay area. To learn more about our nursery or to purchase plants, call (310) 318-7432.
About the SEA Lab
The SEA Lab is a hands-on coastal science education center in Redondo Beach that offers free and low cost programs for explorers of all ages. The site was originally founded in 1974 as the Edison Marine Research Laboratory to develop a state-of-the-art fish protection system - the very one still in use today at the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station. Twenty years later, Southern California Edison, together with Earth Island Institute, decided to convert the site into a coastal science education center. LA Conservation Corps was selected to develop and manage the new SEA Lab as one of its programs. In addition to its in-center programs, the SEA Lab extends its offerings into the community through summer camp programs, community service projects and the Traveling Tidepool mobile exhibit. All of the activities are operated by college students trained by the Los Angeles Conservation Corps, who receive help from more than 100 dedicated local volunteers. For more information about any of our programs or activities at SEA Lab, please contact Brent Scheiwe, Program Director, at (310) 318-7432, or bscheiwe@lacorps.org.
