What do oysters, sea turtles, watersheds and coastal insects have in common?

They are all part of Alabama’s coastal environment — and all will be featured in this year’s Alabama Coastal Kids Quiz.

The Alabama Coastal Foundation is inviting 5th grade teachers at public and private schools across Alabama to sign up for the online program, which gives students a fun way to learn about the state’s coastal environment while giving teachers opportunities to receive financial support for their classrooms.

The 2026-27 Coastal Kids Quiz opens in the fall and will feature five topic-specific quiz opportunities throughout the school year.

The schedule is:

Teachers must register individually to participate. Those who meet the program’s minimum 80% participation requirement are eligible to receive $100 for each topic. If more teachers meet the requirement than available funding allows, recipients will be selected through random drawings.

The program is designed to encourage 5th grade students to take a deeper look at Alabama’s coastal environment while learning in a fun and accessible way. The Alabama Coastal Foundation provides trusted educational resources and financial incentives to encourage participation.

The online format also allows more public and private school teachers and students throughout Alabama to participate. Five topic-specific quiz opportunities provide flexibility for teachers and students during the school year while creating additional opportunities for teachers to receive funding to support classroom education.

The Alabama Coastal Kids Quiz received vital support during the previous school year from the Gulf Coast Resource Conservation and Development Council. The Alabama Coastal Foundation is asking potential sponsors to consider supporting the program again this year.

Teachers can sign up at www.joinacf.org/coastal-kids-quiz.

Questions or feedback? ACF welcomes input as the Coastal Kids Quiz continues to grow. Share questions, comments or suggestions for improvement with ACF Executive Director Mark Berte at mberte@joinACF.org.

Founded in 1993, the Alabama Coastal Foundation works to improve and protect Alabama’s coastal environment through cooperation, education and participation. For more than three decades, ACF has promoted a culture in which environmental decisions are based on an accurate understanding of the underlying science.

The foundation works with individuals, nonprofit organizations, public agencies at the local, state and federal levels and private-sector organizations ranging from small businesses to major industries. Its approach centers on inclusive environmental stewardship.

ACF also provides programs designed to educate current and future leaders and offers meaningful volunteer opportunities for people who want to help protect Alabama’s coastal environment.