PHOTOS: Maddie James Seaside Learning Center Making Progress In Dana Point

The official groundbreaking was in October on the Maddie James Seaside Learning Center in honor of the little girl who died in March 2011 of a brain tumor.

The work continues in Dana Point harbor to bring James' dream to life. The learning center in James' name located in Dana Point will consist of a series of learning stations to provide an immersion-style education about ocean life, preservation and more.

Five-year-old Maddie James died from a brain tumor just two short months before a diagnosis, and she was remembered at the emotional ceremony at the Ocean Institute in Dana Point at the ceremony.

Since her death, friends and family continue to mourn, as well as celebrate her life. In 2011, famous artist Wyland created a mural at her school, in her name. Maddie's hand-print was added to the colorful mural and fellow classmates, family, and teachers added their own forms of creativity to the tribute still hanging in the halls of the school. 

Click here for the video of the groundbreaking event.

The Maddie James Seaside Learning Center will consist of a series of learning stations to provide an immersion-style education about  ocean life and preservation, and will include an ocean science landing or dock and a historic maritime pier. Both facilities will be built right "on the water" in Dana Point harbor, adjacent to the Ocean Institute's site. The goal is to introduce thousands of K-12 students and public visitors to current and emerging issues in oceanography, environmental science, and maritime history.

The facility is expected to be completed in the spring.

For more information and to make a donation to The Maddie James Foundation, please visit maddiejamesfoundation.org/. Follow The Maddie James Foundation on Twitter and on Facebook.