The Ocean Institute, founded in 1977, is a community-based 501(c)(3) organization that educates 100,000 children, teachers, parents, and visitors annually through over 60 marine science and maritime history programs. We are located on 2.4 acres in the Dana Point Harbor; adjacent to a Marine Protected Area. The facility is an ocean education center that offers in-depth marine science and maritime history programs. The Institute includes state-of-the-art teaching labs, the spectacular Maddie James Seaside Learning Center, a historic tall ship, and an oceanographic research vessel. Immersion-based field trips range from one-hour science labs to multi-day programs at sea. All programs are designed to maximize immersion, spark curiosity, and inspire a deep commitment to learning.
“USING THE OCEAN AS OUR CLASSROOM, WE INSPIRE CHILDREN TO LEARN.”
PREVIOUS OCEAN IN MOTION VEHICLE...
Our original Oceans in Motion van may not have been the flashiest ride, but she was full of heart. Year after year, she rolled up to schools and community events, delivering hands-on ocean and environmental education to thousands of students. She wasn’t pretty—but she got the job done. She’s no longer with us, and now w be our ne people tha
Having a Rivianvehicle on the roadwould be a powerful,visible symbol of ourpartnership and shared commitment to sustainability, innovation, and communityimpact.Whether it’s parked at a school fora mobile marine science lesson, stationed at a local business orresort forToddlerTime, orloaded up fora pop-up at a coastal cleanup, the Rivian vehiclewould serve as a rolling ambassador forboth brands. It’s not just transportation, it’s a conversation starter, a mobile classroom, and a direct connection between Ocean Institute’s programming and Rivian’s mission to drive change.
SCHOOL PROGRAM REA SCHOOLPROGRAMREA
Ocean In Motion (Priorto 2020)
NumberofPrograms
VISIBILITY ANDREACH
On-site programming: 2024-2025
On-site programming: 2024-2025
Ocean Institute’s Local Impact for current on-site programs:
Serves thousands annually from core cities: Dana Point, San Clemente, Laguna Niguel, Irvine, Mission Viejo, and surrounding areas
Strong presence in Orange County and all of Southern California Regional & National Reach
Visitors from across California, including: Los Angeles, San Diego, Riverside, San Francisco, and Sacramento
Serves participants from 35+ U.S. states, including: Arizona, Texas, Nevada, New York, Florida, Illinois, Washington, and more International Presence
Engages audiences from: Canada, United Kingdom, and other global locations
Diverse Demographic
Families, students, and educators from a wide range of socioeconomic, cultural, and educational backgrounds
Programs serve all ages, with special emphasis on Title I schools, community engagement, and STEAM education
Powered by the Planet: Renewable Energy in Action Powered by the Planet: Renewable Energy in Action
OUR IMPACT OURIMPACT
ON-SITE PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT
~120,000 total annual visitors to the campus
Includes families, tourists, local residents
Weekend & seasonal visitors:
~300–500 visitors/day on peak weekends.
High capture rate for foot traffic and visibility when the vehicle is not in use. (Parked in OI parking lot)
When the vehicle is in use, the visibility is great and branding on the vehicle will directly point to the partnership between RIVIAN and the Ocean Institute
Exclusive demo drive even members, donors, and the general public
OI can offer a page on our website to connect our visitors with RIVIAN to coordinate a test drive
OI can continue to do on-site demo drives in coordination with the RIVIAN team, and/or in conjunction with community events (Maritime Festival/Sign ups during our annual gala for future drives)
