(Feb 13, 2024)
Caroline Brady is Executive Director of the Friends of the Cabrillo Marine Aquarium in San Pedro, which supports the Aquarium’s mission to promote exploration, respect and conservation of Southern California Marine life. It provides funding for many education and outreach programs and special events, and allows free admission to the aquarium. The Aquarium was founded in 1935 as a collection of shells & ocean specimens at the Cabrillo Beach bathhouse. Its current building opened in 1981 and now has an Exploration Center, Aquatic Nursery Research Lab and a Research Library. In 2007, a Young Scientists Program was established.
 
Among its many programs are grunion events, outdoor classroom and ocean outreach, as well as school programs and field trips. The Young Scientists Program, supported by the Honda USA Foundation, educates students about the ocean environment with research projects, and teaches them research skills and potential STEM career pathways. They learn data collection, record-keeping, and knowledge of animal diets, aquatic chemistry and water sampling techniques. Local colleges & universities help to identify a diverse group of students for paid internships.
 
Junior & Senior high school students are encouraged to pursue science-related college degrees. College student interns & graduates have been obtaining jobs in science-related fields within their local communities. Among past student achievements are a Bill and Melinda Gates Award (paying for the student’s entire education), a MacArthur Genius Award (for a student's work with moon jellies), and a world-renowned jellyfish expert who began at the Aquarium as a community college student intern. More information about activities and support opportunities is available at https://friendsofcabrilloaquarium.org/.