Marine Science Education Field Trips – Grades K-12

 3 hour class:  This is our most popular field trip, based on hands-on, experiential learning! 

²  Become familiar with the aquarium while you have it all to yourselves

²  Ask our expert teachers questions about the ocean and its inhabitants

²  The program includes:

o   Pollution awareness

o   Animal interaction

o   Beach exploration

²  Students will also learn about the local environment including:

o   Animal anatomy and behaviors

o   Where sand comes from

o   What belongs on our beaches

o   Human ocean interactions, including the importance of being good ocean stewards 

o   Other activities such as food chain dress up and plankton tows can be incorporated based on your needs and your class level.

K-5 teachers: Make your trip a Key to the Sea field trip.  Key to the Sea includes a free professional development workshop, a goodie bag, and some “extras” for your field trip.  Click here for more information

1 hour class:  Great for younger students with shorter attention spans and older students with less time for field trips. 

²  This program includes:

o   Aquarium exploration

o   Pollution awareness

o   Animal interactions 

Students will learn the importance of taking care of the ocean environment, and ways they can help.  They will become familiar with some local animals’ anatomy and behaviors. 

All of our programs are very flexible.  If there is a special topic you’re covering in the classroom, we can accommodate you.  If there’s a particular habitat, animal, or topic that you’re interested in, let us know.  We can also teach fish and squid dissections with your class.  We’ll be glad to mold our programs around your needs!  Our staff has a diverse ocean science background, providing us with the expertise to teach your students about all aspects of marine science.

Tidepool Field Studies – Grades 1-12

3 hour off-site class:  Join the aquarium staff at White’s Point Tidepools!

²  This program includes lectures about:

o   What causes tides

o   The tidepool habitat 

o   Animals that live in the tidepools and their adaptations to the dynamic habitat

²  Time to explore the tidepools! 

o   Students will get to observe and learn about the organisms in their natural habitat.

Since tidepools are best visited during low tide, limited days are available for this field trip based on low tide times.  Please call ahead to schedule this trip!

Tidal Wave Outreach – Grades Pre K-12

If your class can’t get to us, don’t worry, we’ll come to you!  We can bring our standard 1 hour program (see description above) including live animals to your school!  We can also bring other specimens and artifacts, as well as posters, PowerPoint presentations, or dissections into your classroom.  Let us know what you’d like to learn, and we’ll teach you!

Special Projects – Suggested for Grades 6-12

If your students need help with a directed research project, or you would like to do a classroom research project let us know, we’ll be happy to help.  Ideas include water quality studies, fish species abundance, fish age and growth studies.

All our classes are aligned with state science standards.

Click here for an example of K-5 standards targeted by our standard 3 hour program.

To register for a class please call the aquarium at 310-379-8117

We currently have grants available for certain districts and schools, call today to see if your school is eligible.

Other fun programs:

Sleep with the Sharks!!! Ages 3rd grade and up Call the Roundhouse for the next date! Check-in at 6pm Friday evening, Check-out at 9am Saturday morning Cost is $65.00/person Bring your sleeping bags & PJs and spend the night alongside the mysterious sharks at the Roundhouse! We will feed live sharks, learn shark biology, observe shark behavior, play shark games & pet live sharks! Dinner, breakfast, and snacks included.  If you have a group of 15 people or more interested, please contact the Roundhouse to set up a date.

Birthday Sea Parties!

Ages 3 and up

Bring your friends to the Roundhouse for a 1 hour party!  We'll touch live animals, dress up as marine life, learn more about the birthday child's favorite sea animal, and more.

Prices are $5/person (adults included) or $4/person if more than 20 people.  Please call at least 2 weeks in advance for reservations.

Food is not allowed in the aquarium, however you may be able to get a discount on food from the cafe next door, please call Vera at (310)717-8334 for more information.  The aquarium is not associated with them, and makes no guarantees on their behalf.

Great Teacher Resource...

The Bridge

Check out this great clearinghouse of the best K-12 ocean sciences education sites available online.

Educators can find information on almost any ocean science topic, links to aquariums and research institutions, ocean science research data, lesson plans, career information, and professional development opportunities.

The Bridge is supported by the National Oceanographic Partnership Program, and is sponsored by the National Marine Educators Association and the National Network of Sea Grant Educators.