The three case studies presented in this paper are descriptive and evaluative in nature, and are designed to describe, explain, and portray in some detail three examples of COSIA partnerships. These cases are context bound; the place-based aspect of these cases is critical to the phenomenon being explored. Consistent with the goal for employing a case study approach for COSIA (Communicating Ocean Sciences to Informal Audiences) is the approach if investigating a phenomenon within the context of the places and partners involved. While each of these COSIA partnership sites are involved in other important and related efforts--including the Centers for Ocean Science Education Excellence (COSEE) initiative--these cases focus on their COSIA work. These case studies are: (1) UC San Diego/Scripps Institution of Oceanography & Birch Aquarium; (2) Hampton University & Virginia Beach Aquarium; and (3) Rutgers University & Liberty Science Center.