The Pelican's Nest, located near Mobile Bay in the Gulf of Mexico, is a science center supported by a local educational foundation. Programs are geared toward marine wildlife and the coastal habitat with an emphasis on hands-on learning for students in grades K-6. The director of the science center conducts daily classroom labs and discovery trips to the bay with students from the surrounding area. This article describes an indoor/outdoor experience entitled "Down by the Bay." Second-grade students explored water salinity and various species of marine organisms that exist in the local ecosystems. Through experiences such as this in their community and at school, students gain a deeper understanding of Mobile Bay, its wildlife, and their impact on the environment.