From Shore to Story: Thurgood Marshall Students Dive into Earth Day Learning

Article and Photos courtesy of THURGOOD MARSHALL SECONDARY SCHOOL APRIL 23, 2026

Last month, in advance of Earth Day, Thurgood Marshall Secondary School students from Ms. Caruso’s 6th grade class participated in the Cabrillo Marine Aquarium’s “Explore the Shore” program, with a focus on understanding human impact on the environment. They began the day by learning about California grunion—a unique fish species found only along the coasts of Southern California and Baja Mexico—and even hatched their own grunion babies.

They then rotated through three hands-on stations: observing wildlife with binoculars, identifying natural objects along the shore, and searching for living organisms in the sand and water. These activities were paired with discussions about the challenges facing local marine life and ways people can support conservation efforts.

Back in English class, students extended their learning by creating magazines focused on environmental issues. Each student selected a specific problem, conducted research, wrote articles, and designed their publication from cover to cover. To conclude the project, they created infographics to raise awareness about endangered species and the importance of protecting our planet. In Celebration of Earth Day!