Community Engagement

School groups, civic groups, and other organized groups are welcome to schedule visits to the Coastal Studies Lab (CSL) from Monday through Friday.

To book a visit, the group sponsor must fill out and submit the online tour request form at least two weeks in advance, however, a four-week lead time is recommended. Requests are typically answered within two business days. Please note that requests made over weekends or UTRGV holidays will be processed when normal business hours resume. Be aware that submitting a request does not secure your preferred date and time, so it is advisable to be flexible and propose multiple possible dates.

The Coastal Studies Lab accepts various forms of payment including purchase orders, school checks, IDTs, personal checks, money orders, credit cards, and cash.  All payments are due on the day of the visit. Checks should be made payable to The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. There are additional charges of $30 per bus and $12 per vehicle for entrance to Isla Blanca Park.

Seasonal Camp Counselors

College and High School students aged 16 and older are eligible to apply as volunteer counselors for Marine Science Day Camp. Volunteer counselors play a vital role in supporting the smooth and safe operation of daily camp activities by actively supervising campers and assisting with program logistics. Responsibilities include helping with camper check-in and registration, setting up and cleaning up lab and field activities, guiding campers to and from field sites, leading arts and crafts sessions, and assisting with meal preparation. Volunteers will also help prepare marine specimens for dissection and demonstrate proper specimen collection techniques in the Laguna Madre and Gulf of Mexico using seines and other field equipment.

Educational Activity Volunteers

These volunteers support educational activities, particularly student dissection sessions. Presentations and instructions are delivered by skilled CSL staff, while volunteers ensure a safe, structured, and engaging environment for the students by actively monitoring students to prevent unsafe behavior such as misusing scissors and dissection tools. Volunteers also help guide students to appropriate classrooms and assist them to the restrooms if they feel unwell during dissections, as well as maintain the integrity of the lab by ensuring students do not tap or bang on aquarium glass.Volunteer presence enhances the overall safety of the activities and improves efficiency of the program, allowing the students to focus on learning and discovery. Volunteers are thoroughly trained in educational activities to aid in the success of our educational initiatives. Volunteers at the CSL benefit from the experience as well through developing or improving skills in areas such as marine conservation, education, working with diverse groups of people, building community and connectionto the environment, gaining confidence and sense of purpose. If you are interested in volunteering with the Coastal Studies Lab you can complete the volunteer application and email it to coastal@utrgv.edu.