During the 2024-25 school year, the Cabrillo High Aquarium welcomed a record of more than 10,000 elementary students and visitors.
During the 2024-25 school year, the Cabrillo High Aquarium welcomed a record number of more than 10,000 elementary students and visitors.

The Cabrillo High School Aquarium has been awarded the statewide Superintendent’s Award for Excellence in Museum Education for its innovative, student-designed lab activities that engage local elementary students.

Gathered for a group photo outside the Cabrillo High School Aquarium are head curators Ayri Dodd-Brown, Olivia Lossing, Autumn Miller, Dilraj Nagra, Donavon Schwenk, Alyna Torres, and Kyrsten Byork. (Courtesy photo)
Cabrillo High School Aquarium head curators are Ayri Dodd-Brown, Olivia Lossing, Autumn Miller, Dilraj Nagra, Donavon Schwenk, Alyna Torres, and Kyrsten Byork.

The competition, jointly sponsored by the California Association of Museums (CAM) and California Department of Education (CDE), recognizes outstanding achievements in California museum programs that serve K-12 students and educators.

Past award recipients include the Exploratorium, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, San Diego Zoo, and Monterey Bay Aquarium.

“This recognition is a huge credit to the incredible work our CTE Aquarium Science staff and students dedicate year-round, along with the faithful support we receive from the Lompoc Unified School District,” said Greg Eisen, CHS Aquarium director. “We sincerely appreciate being recognized by such significant statewide organizations as CAM and CDE.”

The award will be formally presented at the California Association of Museums annual conference, March 10-13 in Los Angeles. All three CHS Aquarium advisors Eisen, Chris Ladwig, and Michelle Poquette are expected to attend.

Founded in 1986, the Cabrillo High School Aquarium is a student-run, cross-curricular program that promotes stewardship of the ocean through project-based learning.

In the 2024-25 school year, the CHS Aquarium welcomed more than 10,000 elementary students and visitors, a record number.

Its newly expanded facility features more than 20 live and static displays, all maintained and hosted by Cabrillo High School students.

This year’s head curators are:

● Ayri Dodd-Brown – 12th grade

● Olivia Lossing – 12th grade
● Autumn Miller – 12th grade
● Dilraj Nagra – 12th grade

● Donavon Schwenk – 12th grade
● Alyna Torres – 12th grade
● Kyrsten Byork – 11th grade

The public is invited to visit the aquarium during its 2025-26 Open House Series, each featuring special themes and student-led presentations:
● Sept. 24 – Starting with a Splash
● Oct. 22 – Gallery Debut
● Dec. 10 – SEAson’s Greetings
● Feb. 11 – Deep in Love
● Mar. 18 – Communities in Peril
● Apr. 22 – Earth Day
● May 20 – Student Projects