Through LiMPETS (Long-term Monitoring Program and Experiential Training for Students), the Greater Farallones Association connects youth from middle and high schools across the San Francisco Bay Area and North Coast with the ocean in meaningful, immersive ways. This statewide program engages over 5,000 students each year, giving them the opportunity to participate in real coastal science used by researchers and to learn how their actions can protect our ocean’s future.
By combining immersive, science-based education with fieldwork, LiMPETS empowers students to become informed and engaged ocean stewards, deepening their understanding of marine environments, the threats they face, and the importance of conservation to our planet and our lives.
“LiMPETS is an amazing chance to get students into the field conducting real science. Students get a chance to explore in nature and collect data that is actually used. They get to participate in the entire process of science.”
-Sarah P., High School Teacher
Student Scientists on Our Sanctuary Shores
Equipped with curiosity and scientific tools, students step into the dynamic world of coastal ecosystems, identifying species, measuring changes, and witnessing firsthand the impact of human activity.
Teachers can choose from two modules—Rocky Intertidal and Sandy Beach—or combine both for a broader field experience. Each program includes classroom or virtual lessons before students head to local monitoring sites, ensuring that every trip builds on a foundation of scientific understanding.
For schools seeking a deeper engagement, the LiMPETS team offers post-trip lessons on data analysis and science communication, allowing students to complete the full scientific process from fieldwork to discovery to sharing results.
From Classroom to Conservation: The Value of Student-Collected Data
LiMPETS isn’t just an educational experience; it’s a student science program that fuels real-world research and decision-making. The data students collect feed into MARINe, a statewide database spanning over 20 years, supporting researchers, natural resource managers, and policymakers.
Student-gathered data have appeared in peer-reviewed journals and scientific reports, providing insights into changes along Sanctuary coastlines. For young participants, knowing their work contributes to real scientific research is both empowering and transformative, showing them that their curiosity and effort can help safeguard ocean life for generations to come.
