• Catalina Island Marine Institute (CIMI) Field Trip

    When registration opens, students can pick up registration packets from Mrs. Means in room 26 or from the front office. 

    A digital version of the 2024-2025 registration packet can be found HERE. 

    CIMI is a three day science field trip that provides McFadden students with the opportunity to participate in fun, exciting, and educational activities. From McFadden, students will be bussed to Long Beach and then board a boat that will transport students to Catalina Island. On the island, students will stay at Fox Landing, one of the three Catalina Island Marine Institute (CIMI) outdoor science schools on Catalina that provides an enriching and unforgettable educational experience for all students. 

    CIMI is a STEM based program aligned with the K-12 Next Generation Science Standards. At CIMI, students will participate in a variety of hands-on science activities utilizing state of the art labs and equipment. CIMI’s expert instructors will guide students through learning California biology, ecology, astronomy, and geology. 

    Through labs and activities such as snorkeling and kayaking, students will learn about the marine organisms that live in our local waters and tide pools.  Night excursions will allow students to study the stars and planets overhead and participate in a small group squid dissection.  A hike will help students learn about the inland ecosystem, geology formations, the history of the area, as well as the native fauna and flora. Throughout the trip students will also be participating in teambuilding activities. This unique learning experience will serve to enrich the overall education of McFadden students and is likely to foster a deeper interest in science for years to come.

    McFadden's time at CIMI will be an amazing educational adventure that students will greatly appreciate and never forget. If you are interested in having your child attend or if you would like to learn more about the trip, fill out the interest form linked at the bottom of this page.

    Who is able to go on this field trip?

    All students in 7th and 8th grade are invited to attend, but space is limited. Once CIMI registration opens, we will be accepting registrations on a first come first serve basis. Students who earn 'N's or 'U's on their first semester report card will not be able to attend. If a student has earned a mark of 'N' or 'U', they need to raise it to 'S' before being able to attend the CIMI trip.