Stoked on Science
2026 Stoked on Science Field Day
Saturday, October 10 | 7:30 am | Lab tours at two locations!
About
Connecting Influential Scientists with the Next Generation of Ocean Ambassadors
Ocean Institute’s annual Stoked on Science teen conference introduces middle school and high school students to the diverse career opportunities in ocean science. This event connects professionals in the field with the next generation of ocean stewards. This year, we are kicking off our first annual Stoked on Science Field Day, where we bring the students to the professionals! This event aims to immerse the students in a professional setting, seeing the scientists in action, as well as mitigate the transit of immobile equipment and reduce any limited expression of the profession itself.
During each tour, a representative of the organization will give an overview of the day-to-day functions and walk through some equipment or resources that are specific to this space and commonly used there.
Lunch and snacks will be provided as well as a Stoked on Science Field Day t-shirt and goodie bag. Join us for a fun-filled day of science and leave with an interest to explore the ocean further!
Field Day will include visits to the following locations:
- Kerckhoff Marine Laboratory
- (Location #2)
Date: October 10, 2026
Time: 7:30 am
Price: $100
Age: Middle School and High School students (Grades 6-12)
Field Day Tour Locations
Kerckhoff Marine Laboratory
Founded in 1930, Kerckhoff Marine Laboratory has been a research lab for Caltech scientists and students since its inception, and more recently started offering educational opportunities for the local community. With its optimal location along the mouth of the Newport Harbor, it provides direct access to the Pacific Ocean and local marine ecosystems of Southern California. KML utilizes a seawater intake system, providing filtered natural seawater available for research use. Over the years, the lab has hosted multiple Nobel laureates studying a wide range of research interests. Today, KML is led by director, Dr. Victoria Orphan, who is the James Irvine Professor of Environmental Science and Geology at Caltech, and lab manager, Stephen Ranson, overseas day-to-day operations. The lab is managed under Caltech’s Division of Biology and Biological Engineering and is supported through division funding, grants, fellowships, and donations.
Frequently Asked Questions
I have heard of Stoked on Science, but what is Field Day?
Ocean Institute is excited to launch our first ever Stoked on Science Field Day!
Stoked on Science Conference – This is an annual, one-day, teen conference at Ocean Institute, inviting middle school and high school students to meet, learn from, and conduct research with professionals in fields relating to ocean science.
Stoked on Science Field Day – This is our first event, where we flip the script and take our middle school and high school students to these professional workspaces for behind-the-scenes tours. This year, we are starting with two different locations for the day, all local to Orange County. We all meet at Ocean Institute, check our guests in, then hop on the bus to head out to our first stop. We spend the day touring these locations together, eat lunch together, then head back to Ocean Institute before parting for the day.
If you have ever attended a Stoked on Science conference or a Girls in Ocean Science conference, you’re going to love Field Day!
What is the start and end time of the conference?
Schedule
7:30 am Check-in
8:00 am Bus departs
Please be on time or otherwise let us know ahead of time if you are running late. The bus must leave no later than 8:00 am.
Can participants leave the conference early?
We encourage participants to stay for the full duration of the event. Participants will spend the day together traveling to and from our two Stops via bus.
If a participant needs to leave early, please notify us ahead of time so we can accommodate your request.
What do participants need to bring?
Please bring the following:
- closed-toe, closed-heel shoes
- jacket
- hat
- snacks
- reusable water bottle
- sunscreen
Participants will receive lunch, snacks, a Stoked on Science t-shirt, and a goodie bag.
Will food be served at the conference?
Yes, lunch and some snacks will be provided. We will not be providing breakfast or dinner. Please bring water, snacks, and let us know of any dietary restrictions to be aware of in your registration form.
If you/your student has severe allergies or dietary restrictions, you are more than welcome to bring your own lunch and snacks in a sealed lunch bag.
Will parents, teachers, chaperones, etc. be allowed on campus for the conference?
Parents, teachers, chaperones, etc. will not be allowed on the bus during this event. This program will only include participants, Ocean Institute staff, and our guest speakers.
What if the participant needs medication during the program?
Participant Medication: All medications must come in their original container with dosage and schedule indicated. Prescription medications must be accompanied by a physician’s note verifying the medication, dosage, and schedule. Over-the-counter medications must have a note from the legal guardian verifying medication, dosage, and schedule.
Please ensure any medication for motion sickness is administered before arrival OR sent in the original container with a note from the legal guardian verifying the medication, dosage, and schedule.
Who can pick up my participant?
Authorized Pick-Up List
To ensure the safety of our participants, we follow these procedures for Check out:
- The participant must be signed in and out by an adult (18 years or older). Participant will only be released to listed authorized persons.
- Valid Photo Identification (such as a Driver’s License, Passport, etc.) is required to release to any individual, including parents, guardians, relatives, and emergency contacts. If participant has a valid Driver’s License, they are able to sign themselves out; in which case, the participant will need to be listed on their own Authorized Pick-Up list.
LOOKING BACK AT PAST SCIENTISTS
Exploring Careers in Ocean Science
2025
- Rich German (Keynote) – Founder, Project O and Blue City Network
- Bill Lackey – Co-Founder and President, Entangled Whale Response Orange County
- Magali Martinez – Facility Manager, Orange Coast College Aquaculture and Aquaponics Program
- Jonathan Appelbaum – Restoration Ecologist, San Diego Canyonlands
- Gregg Casad – Managing Director, Exulans
2024
- Dr. Karla Heidelberg (Keynote) – Professor, Biological Sciences and Environmental Studies, University of Southern California; Director, USC Sea Grant
- Louise Leborgne – Veterinary Technician, Aquarium of the Pacific
- Brenna Chang – Husbandry Manager/Aquarist Technician, Age of Aquariums
- Dr. Jayme Smith – Senior Scientist of Aquatic Microbiology, Southern California Coastal Water Research Project
- Garrett Staller – Research Assistant, UCLA Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences and the Marine Operations Program
2023 Conference Speakers
Rich German
Founder, Project O
A successful business coach, philanthropist, photographer and entrepreneur for over 20 years, Rich has been paddleboarding off the coast of Laguna Beach, California with dolphins and whales nearly every day since 2010. An encounter with a pod of 4 orcas in 2015 garnered international media attention and connected him with some of the leading ocean conservationist organizations. When he learned firsthand about the peril our ocean and marine life are facing, his hobby turned into a passion to protect them.
n 2017, he founded the non-profit organization Project O, dedicated to restoring, protecting, and sustaining the oceans and the sacred life within it. Two main initiatives of Project O include Blue City, a certification program, aimed at creating a global network of ocean-friendly and sustainable cities, and Our Epic Ocean podcast, a platform for experts working on solutions to our planet’s challenges.
Rich’s other passions lie in lifestyle and business coaching. Starting in 1999, he has personally conducted over 18,000 individual coaching sessions and has led seminars for thousands of people. His first book, “Living the Law of Attraction” was a top 10 book on Amazon and his other work, “Monetize Your Passion,” currently has over 40,000 copies in circulation.
When not working Rich can be found on the ocean paddle boarding with dolphins and whales. He also enjoys exploring his creative side by playing the guitar, painting, writing, and photography.
Brett McBride
Captain, OCEARCH
A dedicated mariner and waterman, Brett McBride has spent the majority of his life surrounded by or in the water. Throughout his junior high and high school years, he spent weekends and summers working on open party and long-range sport fishers, before transitioning to private yacht-fishers and broadening his exploration horizons. Growing up in San Diego, McBride spent a few seasons fishing along the coast of Baja, California before permanently relocating to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico where he called home for the next 21 years.
He served as a deckhand or captain on various sportfishing boats, competed in fishing marlin tournaments, began underwater filming, ran a 48′ sportfisher for entrepreneur Chris Fischer, upgraded to a 72′ custom yacht-fisher, collaborated on Emmy Award-Winning “Offshore Adventures,” and produced another show, “Ocean Hunter.” Currently, McBride works with Fischer on the 126′ Bering Sea crba fishing vessel, OCEARCH. This vessel allowed for the creation of television series Shark Men, where the captains assist scientists in capturing and releasing adult white sharks all over the globe. McBride’s expertise and leadership has provided researchers across the globe with unprecedented access to study our oceans’ apex predators and push science furhter. He appreciates all the gifts the ocean has given him over his lifetime and aspires to keep the ocean healthy through the conservation efforts of OCEARCH.
OCC Dennis Kelly Aquarium Team
Mary Blasius, Coordinator | Robert Ellis, Professor | E. Durazo, A. Nguyen
The Dennis Kelly Public Aquarium at Orange Coast College is one of the cornerstones of their marine science department. This versatile resource is a unique training and community education facility where students get hands-on experience working with a remarkably diverse collection of aquatic organisms. The OCC Aquarium is a student-run aquarium that features facilitated peer education. Students working towards the Certificate in Aquarium Science play an active role in design, maintenance, and management of the OCC Aquarium. From leopard sharks to jellies, the aquarium is a key resources for OCC students to refine their species knowledge, animal husbandry, and aquarium life support maintenance skills.
Leslie Nguyen
Animal Care Specialist, Aquarium of the Pacific
Leslie graduated from San Jose State University with a bachelor’s degree in Marine Biology. During her undergraduate studies, she volunteered at the Marine Mammal Care Center where she found her passion in animal care and conservation. She later accepted an internship with Reef Environmental Education Foundation in 2022 where she focused on education and citizen science. Leslie first joined the Aquarium of the Pacific as an African American Scholar in 2021, and she now works there as an Animal Care Specialist. Leslie also takes pride in actively being a voice for underrepresented communities in marine science by supporting, promoting, and leading various programs and events that promote diversity in this field.
Rick Erkeneff
Director, South Coast Water District
A dedicated and passionate member of the South Coast Water District (SCWD) Board, Rick represents Division 2 (Del Avion/Del Obispo, Dana Knolls, San Juan Capistrano). SCWD serves approximately 40,000 residents and two million visitors a year in Dana Point, South Laguna Beach, and portions of San Juan Capistrano and San Clemente.
With a BFA from CSULB and previous roles including Art Director at Roxy Surf Company and co-founder of R&D Design, Rich has honed his skills in simplifying complex issues for clear communication. Recognized with the Gold Award from the Ad Club of OC and the Surfrider Foundation Wavemaker Award, he is inspired by diverse teamwork and is an unwavering optimist. In his free time, Rick is passionate about surfing, hiking, and gardening.
Gary Larson
Head Surfboard Shaper and Designer, Hobie Surfboards
The definitive Dana Point, CA local; Gary Larson’s shaping exploration began with Infinity Surfboards in 1996. A few years down the line in 2008, Larson joined the ranks of Hobie and, more importantly, the discerning eye and benevolent demeanor of Terry Martin. In tandem with Martin, Gary honed his technique into the quality craftmanship it is today. G-Lar has a close relationship with all of our team riders, but his relationship really glimmers with Rilynn Baker and Bucky Barry. Together, Baker and Barry have developed some of Hobie’s most progrressive logging designs to date; the Rilynn and Uncle Buck.
2019 Conference Speakers
Dr. Jeff Nessler
Professor, California State University, San Marcos
I teach courses in Biomechanics of Human Movement and Human Motor Control in the Department of Kinesiology. My education was a combination of mechanical engineering and movement science, and my early research focused on gait and locomotion in individuals with neurological injury. Recently, I have become interested in other forms of locomotion, particularly surfing and skateboarding, and my research has focused on these areas. More specifically, paddling mechanics, balance and wave riding in surfers.
My career is intellectually stimulating, and each day is different. I spend a lot of time reading and thinking about interesting research, teaching it to others, and coming up with fun experiments.
I would like to provide important and impactful information for researchers, athletes, and coaches involved in surfing and skateboarding, particularly as they begin to train athletes for the Olympics.
Matt Kibby
Forecaster, Surfline
I studied at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, and achieved a B.S. in Meteorology with a minor in math. Between growing up in, around and on the ocean, and becoming quite the weather nerd in my college years, my career as a Forecaster at Surfline is extraordinary. I can combine two of my biggest passions.
As a Forecaster, I am responsible for surf reports and forecasts along the West Coast of the U.S. and Hawaii, as well as various international locations. In addition, I perform statistical analysis of historical surf reports, and model data for use in long term forecasts and climatological studies.
Dr. Phil Bresnahan
Research Engineer, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, UC San Diego
I build tools (sensors and robots) to measure ocean chemistry—especially changes to ocean chemistry resulting from pollution. Right now, my favorite instrument to work on is called Smartfin; it’s a surfboard fin with sensors embedded in it to measure temperature, wave motion and position (GPS). We distribute Smartfins to surfers around the world to study their local home breaks, and become more engaged in stewardship and protection of the waves they love.
I would like to help scientists learn how to make stronger connections with their communities. There is so much scientific information that most people don’t know—partly because we’re learning new things all the time, but partly because scientists don’t always know how to connect with non-scientists. I think it would be awesome to help a few more scientists, especially those doing environmental work, to figure out what they have in common with their community members outside of the lab.
People come up to me all the time to ask why my fin is blinking and if it scares sharks away. I do not know about the second part but to the first, I tell them it’s because I’m collecting data while I surf!