Founded in 1999 as "Aquatic Adventures Science Education Foundation", Ocean Discovery Institute was created to leverage San Diego's vibrant coastal resources as a tool for teaching young people about science and conservation. In 2001, the organization started providing classroom-based educational programs and by 2004 was serving over 4,500 young people per year, through partnerships with schools and community groups throughout San Diego.

Taken together, our accomplishments over the past decade include:
  • 34,000+ students benefited from more than 380,000 hours of science education
  • 481 teachers trained through professional development workshops
  • 14,500+ volunteers mobilized to restore wildlife habitat, clean up pollution and learn about San Diego's valuable ecosystems
  • 14,000+ native plants have been planted in the San Diego region by our volunteers
The ocean and our coastlines are an extraordinary educational resource intrinsic to San Diego. All of the primary concepts in science and conservation can be taught through ocean science including: mathematics, engineering, physics, biochemistry, geology, astronomy, ecology, physiology, molecular/biotechnology, environmental sciences, technology/computer science, and biomechanics. Using the ocean as an educational tool capitalizes on young people's instinctive attraction to the sea and builds knowledge of our planet's defining feature.

More than 34,000 young people have been served, benefitting from more than 380,000 hours of science education.