Education Programs
Education at The Maritime Aquarium
The Education Department offers are variety of hands-on engaging programs for toddlers, students, adults, and families.
School Programs
On-site classrooms in the EEC (Environmental Education Center) located on the 3rd floor above the cafe or as tours in the Aquarium's Galleries. Programs range in length from 20 minutes to 90 minutes and are designed to support Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). Current education programs cover a wide variety of topics such as body coverings, structures & functions, adaptations, food webs, ecosystem dynamics, water pollution, climate change, and conservation. These programs can also be taught as traveling teacher programs were educators bring the programs into schools. We also offer a variety of after-school programs. Click this link to learn more about our traditional in-person programs: https://www.maritimeaquarium.org/teachers-and-groups
Virtual Programs
During the pandemic closure the education team transformed some of its most popular programs into virtual distance learning sessions using Zoom. These programs are offered to groups, as well as, families. Click here to visit our website and learn more about distance learning offerings: https://www.maritimeaquarium.org/distance-learning
The Maritime Aquarium's virtual education programs won AZA's Top Honors Education Award in 2021!
In 2021 Education Department received a small grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Service (IMLS) to develop virtual programming for audiences with special needs and disabilities.
Field Programs
In addition to classroom and gallery based programs, the educators conduct field studies with students and groups at local beaches, rivers, and wetland properties throughout Fairfield County and New York. These programs typically involve biodiversity sampling using quadrats, weather data, transect lines, and general field observations. Participants learn first-hand how scientific data is collected and how animals are adapted for survival in these habitats.
School Partnerships
The Aquarium has several school partnerships called "whole schools" where the Aquarium works with all of the students multiple times throughout the year doing classroom, field, and vessel programs. These whole school partnerships are typically supported through generous donations and grant funding. The Aquarium's two longest partnerships are Jefferson School in Norwalk and Six to Six in Bridgeport.
Camps
Are offered during school vacations and can be single days up to 3-week sessions, depending on the age group. Campers participate in a variety of hands-on programs relevant to the theme of their session. At times, we have had volunteers assist camp counselors with camp related activities.
Homeschool Programs: Twice a year, typically in the fall and spring, we host a homeschool day. Homeschool students can register ala carte for a variety of classroom and vessel programs and receive reduced admission to the Aquarium.
Sleepover Programs: During the school year the Aquarium hosts boy and girl scouts, youth groups, and school groups for our sleepover program on Friday evenings. Program participants get a behind-the-scenes tour of the Aquarium, a personalized touch tank, dinner, craft, games, and snack before settling into their sleeping bag in front of exhibits. In the morning they receive breakfast and a movie. We encourage volunteers to participate in the evening activities to help facilitate crafts and games with sleepover participants.
Other Educational Programs:
On-site Birthday Parties
Professional Development Workshops
Badge Weekend (a weekend dedicated to Boy and Girl Scouts) https://www.maritimeaquarium.org/scout-programs
Floor Programs/Mission Celebration Events
The Education Department offers are variety of hands-on engaging programs for toddlers, students, adults, and families.
School Programs
On-site classrooms in the EEC (Environmental Education Center) located on the 3rd floor above the cafe or as tours in the Aquarium's Galleries. Programs range in length from 20 minutes to 90 minutes and are designed to support Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). Current education programs cover a wide variety of topics such as body coverings, structures & functions, adaptations, food webs, ecosystem dynamics, water pollution, climate change, and conservation. These programs can also be taught as traveling teacher programs were educators bring the programs into schools. We also offer a variety of after-school programs. Click this link to learn more about our traditional in-person programs: https://www.maritimeaquarium.org/teachers-and-groups
Virtual Programs
During the pandemic closure the education team transformed some of its most popular programs into virtual distance learning sessions using Zoom. These programs are offered to groups, as well as, families. Click here to visit our website and learn more about distance learning offerings: https://www.maritimeaquarium.org/distance-learning
The Maritime Aquarium's virtual education programs won AZA's Top Honors Education Award in 2021!
In 2021 Education Department received a small grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Service (IMLS) to develop virtual programming for audiences with special needs and disabilities.
Field Programs
In addition to classroom and gallery based programs, the educators conduct field studies with students and groups at local beaches, rivers, and wetland properties throughout Fairfield County and New York. These programs typically involve biodiversity sampling using quadrats, weather data, transect lines, and general field observations. Participants learn first-hand how scientific data is collected and how animals are adapted for survival in these habitats.
School Partnerships
The Aquarium has several school partnerships called "whole schools" where the Aquarium works with all of the students multiple times throughout the year doing classroom, field, and vessel programs. These whole school partnerships are typically supported through generous donations and grant funding. The Aquarium's two longest partnerships are Jefferson School in Norwalk and Six to Six in Bridgeport.
Camps
Are offered during school vacations and can be single days up to 3-week sessions, depending on the age group. Campers participate in a variety of hands-on programs relevant to the theme of their session. At times, we have had volunteers assist camp counselors with camp related activities.
Homeschool Programs: Twice a year, typically in the fall and spring, we host a homeschool day. Homeschool students can register ala carte for a variety of classroom and vessel programs and receive reduced admission to the Aquarium.
Sleepover Programs: During the school year the Aquarium hosts boy and girl scouts, youth groups, and school groups for our sleepover program on Friday evenings. Program participants get a behind-the-scenes tour of the Aquarium, a personalized touch tank, dinner, craft, games, and snack before settling into their sleeping bag in front of exhibits. In the morning they receive breakfast and a movie. We encourage volunteers to participate in the evening activities to help facilitate crafts and games with sleepover participants.
Other Educational Programs:
On-site Birthday Parties
Professional Development Workshops
Badge Weekend (a weekend dedicated to Boy and Girl Scouts) https://www.maritimeaquarium.org/scout-programs
Floor Programs/Mission Celebration Events
1 point
True or False: We encourage volunteers to help with evening sleepover activities
1 point
True or False: The Aquarium's Education programs are designed to support NGSS standards