California Aquatic Science Education Consortium

CASEC was established in 1990 with funding from the National Science Foundation as a statewide consortium of some 80 member agencies, organizations, and citizens’ groups. Its purpose was to encourage, support, and enhance aquatic (fresh and marine) education programs in the State of California.

CASEC’s mission became the promotion of, among the people of California, a greater scientific literacy, a more thorough understanding of the value and workings of fresh water and marine ecosystems, and an enhanced awareness of scientific, environmental and policy aspects of California water issues.

CASEC functioned as a statewide Consortium for ten years through the year 2000, when funding to support the organization was no longer available.

CASEC’s legacy includes five thematic water resource educational activity manuals available both in English and in Spanish and a compendium of the Spanish language worksheets from each of the manuals.

Curriculum Modules

FRESH WATER GUARDIANS: Teaches youth the basic scientific concepts related to the physical characteristics of water. These concepts include taste, salinity, temperature, hardness, and clarity, variation, distribution and regularity. Youth are involved in the active practice of doing science, including the construction of scientific apparatus and instruments and using them to measure and describe water. The curriculum stimulates and guides youth as they act towards solving the problem of water pollution in their communities.

PLASTIC ELIMINATORS: Through various hands-on activities, PLASTIC ELIMINATORS involves youth in the active practice of science, while increasing their awareness of the environmental problems cased by plastic marine debris. The curriculum offers youth the opportunity to act towards solving the problem of plastic debris.
CASEC- Plastic Eliminators (2001)
CASEC- Eliminadores del Plastico (2001)

WATER INSPECTORS: Teaches youth the basic scientific concepts related to the physical characteristics of water. These concepts include taste, salinity, temperature, hardness, and clarity. Younth are involved in the active practice of doing science, including constructing scientific instruments and using them to measure and describe water. Teaches youth the basic scientific concepts related to the physical characteristics of water.
CASEC- Water Inspectors (2001)
CASEC- Inspectores del Agua (2001)

CREEK WATCHERS: Teaches basic scientific concepts related to the characteristics of creek and stream habitats. It involves youth in hands-on science activities, and stimulates and provides guidance to young people as they work toward helping others in their community to recognize and protect the value of creeks and streams.
CASEC- Creek Watchers (2001)
CASEC- Vigilantes de los Riachuelos (2001)

WETLAND PROTECTORS: Teaches the basic scientific concepts related to the characteristics of wetland habitats. It involves youth in hands-on scientific activities, and it guides and stimulates them as they work toward helping others in their community to recognize and protect the value wetlands.
CASEC- Wetlands Protectors (2001)
CASEC- Protectores de los Humedales (2001)

CASEC- Suplemento de Espanol (2001)

For more information, please visit: http://casec.ucdavis.edu/