Areas of Study

The remarkable natural and cultural history of the Marin Headlands and the breadth of our educators' experience allows Headlands Institute to offer your classroom a wide range of study. Your program can focus on one or more of these areas of study, depending on your classroom's needs and the length of its program.

• Marine ecology: This area of study introduces coastal and marine environments and explores human impacts on ocean and estuarine resources. Students engage in explorations of coastal, lagoon, and rocky intertidal habitats.

• Terrestrial plants & animals: Focusing on the variety of plants and animals in the Marin Headlands, a key component of this area of study is plant, animal, and habitat identification along trails. Issues such as resource management, habitat loss, and conservation are explored.

• Watersheds: This area of study focuses on water cycles, watersheds, and/or creek, pond, and lagoon habitats. It introduces hydrology and freshwater/brackish life and engages students in activities to promote awareness of their local watersheds and community based stewardship.

• Earth & physical sciences: Focusing on plate tectonics, the rock cycle, climate and weather, and waves, tides and currents, this area of study introduces the physical environments of the Marin Headlands through hiking and exploring its many trails. 

• Climate change: New in 2010! Students begin to define and understand climate change by learning about the carbon cycle, the greenhouse effect, and phenology. They observe the impacts climate change is having on our oceans and local communities, and play games to help identify actions we can all take to reduce our footprints.