Aquarium Teachers Blog

Starting the Year Off with Free Admission for School Teachers

Thu, 10 Jan 2013 18:29 GMT

We’re excited to start 2013 with Free School Teacher Month at the Aquarium of the Pacific. Over the past few years, we’ve had this opportunity in March, but we’re switching things up this year and giving January a turn. You can take advantage of this opportunity as many times as you like. Bring your friends and family, and they receive discounted admission at the door. Be sure to bring proof of eligibility (like a school or district ID) and then you and your guests can enjoy the Aquarium.

While you’re here, be sure to visit our penguins, our baby harbor seal Bixby, and Betty our newest otter, because they are all pretty adorable. Before your visit, download our Chaperone Field Trip Guides or ask for them at the Information Desk. They may help you plan your next school field trip. While you’re here, you can also pick up one of our three Out of the Box Science Trunks. They are free with a $100 refundable deposit and reservations can be made by calling our Guest Support Center at 562-951-1630.

Or feel free to enjoy a relaxing day away from school and know that the Aquarium of the Pacific wants to say a huge THANK YOU for all you.

Hope to see you around the Aquarium in January.

Back to School (and the Aquarium) with Chaperone Field Trip Guides

Thu, 20 Sep 2012 20:54 GMT

As we start a new school year, we are excited to see old friends and new ones at the Aquarium. Penguins, otters, sharks, and more are waiting to engage and amaze your students. But the Aquarium is more than just an incredible animal collection. It is numerous resources to help you use the ocean to reach your students. Have you seen our rental trunks of shark jaws and otter skulls? Lesson plans to extend the experience? Chaperone Field Trip Guides to help your students and parent chaperones to move through the Aquarium? Preview the grade-specific pamphlets online, or get your copy when you arrive at the Aquarium.

When booking your field trip, be sure to take advantage of our reduced rate for trip occurring prior to March. Scholarships, including bussing, are also available, so complete We’re looking forward to a great 2012-2013 school year. Hope to see you and your students at the Aquarium soon.

Summertime at the Aquarium

Mon, 11 Jun 2012 16:30 GMT

Make the Aquarium part of your relaxing summer plans: visit the penguins, send the kids to camp, or enjoy a whale watching cruise. Hope to see you this summer.

This summer, the Aquarium has lots to offer, including a dozen new and adorable residents. The June Keyes Penguin Habitat includes interactive touch screens and above and below water viewing areas for you to come face to face with our charismatic penguins. Animal encounters, films, lectures, and a new webcam also give you an opportunity to get up close and personal with the Magellanic Penguins who now call the Aquarium home.

If you’re looking for an outdoor adventure, consider joining us for a Blue Whale Watch or simply sign the kids up for Day Camp. We hope to see you this summer.

Boeing Teacher Institute is Back

Tue, 08 May 2012 19:43 GMT

Our annual Boeing Teacher Institute (BTI) is back and better than ever. After taking a break in 2011, the Education Department is excited to announce that applications for the 2012 summer program are now available. The five-day immersion program will provide up to 35 outstanding local educators with an intensive introduction to the Aquarium, Southern California’s diverse ecosystems, and the most current research being conducted by local scientists. This year we shift the focus of BTI shifts to a content-based program that provides the participants with the experience, resources, and knowledge they need to best implement their own lessons.

BTI will include two days at the Aquarium of the Pacific, introducing teachers to the wide variety of resources available to them including Science on a Sphere, videoconferencing, and access to the Aquarium educators. Three days will be spent on Catalina Island, introducing teachers to the resources of SeaGrant, the Centers for Ocean Science Education Excellence (COSEE), and the Wrigley Marine Institute to provide more current science content for all of the participating teachers. Island activities will include discussion and exploration of newly designated marine protected areas (MPAs), a native plant versus introduced species hike, tours of the labs and hyperbaric chamber at Wrigley and more.

To extend the experience beyond the five days in August, BTI participates will be asked to participate in an on-line professional community. This community will allow for pictures, lesson plans, stories, and suggestions to be easily shared between participants. Since space is limited, the Aquarium also will offer a fall lecture series specifically designed for local educators unable to attend the five day August institute.

The application deadline is June 8.

Free Admission for Teachers in March

Fri, 02 Mar 2012 23:40 GMT

Want to come explore the Aquarium without your students following you? March is the perfect time to do it, since we want to pay for your ticket. During the month of March, all teachers are invited to visit the Aquarium for FREE! No advance reservation is needed, but you will be asked to provide some proof of eligibility, such as a school ID or district pay stub, at the ticket window. The offer also includes a discount for any friends and family that you bring along. You may purchase up to 4 additional tickets for $3 off the regular adult admission price, or $1.50 off the regular child’s price.

Visiting the Aquarium is fun for you and your family, but we hope it may inspire you to come back with your students.

While you’re here, consider dropping off your completed scholarship application, or testing out our new Chaperone Field Trip Guides.

See you this March!

Summer at the Aquarium

Thu, 07 Jul 2011 23:39 GMT

Summer is a great time for teachers to enjoy their time off and visit the Aquarium without student in tow! Go looking for whales on a Blue Whale Watch, join a Behind the Scenes Tour, attend a lecture, or simply visit our new exibits. We hope to see you at the Aquarium during the hot summer months!

This summer, the Aquarium opened two new exhibits aimed at changing how you see the world. In Arctic and Antarctic: Our Polar Regions in Peril, guests can learn about the icy ends of the earth, see arctic char and king crabs, touch a moon jelly, and learn about our impacts on the planet. Have I mentioned the exhibit is BEAUTIFUL! With the new Ocean Science Center, guests can experience a 6 foot floating sphere. Movies about sea level rise and the ports of San Pedro Bay are playing throughout the day. And coming this fall, the Ocean Science Center will be a classroom space available to school groups at the Aquarium. More information on new school programs will be coming soon. For a preview of both exhibits, click here and here.

Finally - Thanks to all the teachers and families that joined us for Teacher Family Day on June 24. We had a great turn out. Look for future opportunities to visit the Aquarium and learn about our programs.

Spring Aquatic Academy Course

Thu, 31 Mar 2011 22:32 GMT

We’d love to have teachers participate in this 4 week course at the Aquarium. It’s a wonderful opportunity to explore the many challenges and potential responses to sea level rise. Professional development credits are available. Please join us if you are available! See below for the schedule of speakers and topics.

May 3, 2011

Sea Level Rise: A Global Perspective Over Geologic Time With An Emphasis On The Recent Past, The Present, And The Future Jerry R. Schubel, President, Aquarium of the Pacific

May 10, 2011

Sea Level Rise: A California Perspective—What’s In Store And What Can We Do About It. Julie Thomas, Scripps Institution of Oceanography

May 17, 2011

Sea Level Rise and Coastal Flooding: Making It Come Alive For the Public Heidrun Mumper-Drumm, Art Institute College of Design’s Design Matters Department

May 24, 2011

Sea Level Rise and Coastal Flooding: The Policy and Decision-Makers Dilemma Will Travis, Executive Director, Bay Conservation and Development Commission

Pricing: $60/Public $50/Aquarium Members $10 extra for CEU Credit

For reservations contact Erin Russell - erussell@lbaop.org, 562-951-1609 For additional information contact Adina Metz - ametz@lbaop.org, 562-951-1692

We love letters from students

Wed, 02 Feb 2011 17:15 GMT

There are so many ways teachers creatively connect an Aquarium field trip experience to their classroom curriculum. There are science lessons, books to read, and art opportunities. Many teachers tell us they use the experience as a source of inspiration for a writting assignment. Whether its pursuasive writting, descriptive narratives, or formal letters, the Aquarium field trip can inspire students to take pencil to paper and create impressive pieces of writting. Not only does our staff love seeing how much students have enjoyed the Aquarium, but letters and artwork from students are an important way to communicate to our donors. A “Thank you” letter or picture of “My Favorite Aquarium Animal” are the best way to illustrate the need for continued support of our scholarship program. If your students have created materials, please feel free to share them with us. Every letter goes a long way!

If you have student letters to share, please send them to us at the following address:
Aquarium of the Pacific
Education Department
100 Aquarium Way
Long Beach, CA 90802

Thanks in advance for helping us promote the importance of field trips and scholarship opportunities.

If you’re curious to see the list of donors that have helped support the Education Department, visit our school program website.

For more information about donating to the Aquarium, visit our contribute to the Aquarium website. Are you interested in receiving a scholarship for your students’ field trip? Complete an application today! We have funds available and would love to see you at the Aquarium.

New Adopt-an-Animal Opportunities

Fri, 03 Dec 2010 14:08 GMT

The Aquarium is excited to announce the new Adopt-an-Animal program! Adoptions start at just $10 for a baby shark, baby clownfish, or baby seahorse and include a certificate, 3x5” photo, fact sheet, and 2 Aquarium stickers. Adoptions are available for $25 and up for other animal favorites including sea otters, seals, sea lions, puffins, sharks, sea turtles, and rays. While all sponsored animals remain in the care of the Aquarium and no ownership rights are conferred, adoptions are a great way to connect your classroom with the Aquarium’s animal collection. It encourages environmental stewardship, and is a popular option for teachers of all grades and subjects. Adopting an animal allows guests to become more involved with the Aquarium by sponsoring an animal of their choice and helping cover the cost of feeding and caring for the animal.

For a complete list of adoption levels and benefits visit our website. For more information about the program, visit our Adopt-an-Animal. homepage.

Jellyfish Art Contest

Fri, 08 Oct 2010 17:33 GMT

Jellies may have no hearts and no brains, but they are important parts of the ocean ecosystem. Share jellies with your students, and participate in our virtual jelly bloom! Art submissions are due by November 1, 2010. This international contest is part of the Jellyfish ROCK event at Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History on November 20, 2010.

International Jellyfish Art Contest

The Aquarium of the Pacific will be serving as a regional host for the first ever International Jellyfish Art Contest. This is a great opportunity to combine science and art, to introduce these incredible animals, and participate in an international jelly bloom!

The Global Jellyfish Group invites your students to submit their best artwork of jellyfish to the first ever Jellyfish ROCK student art contest! Many children in Bermuda, Spain and Chile are invloved, and they’d love to have more from Southern California. This is the first ever global jelly art contest!

Age Categories: Pre-school (under 5); Age 5-8; Age 9-12 Categories: 1. Visual art (drawing, painting, collage, printmaking, photography). 2. Multimedia (computer art, animations, movies).

Submissions: The art should display any aspect of jellyfish, including jellyfish blooms, their biology, their effects on the environment or society, and their role in food webs. For more information see fun facts brouchure for teachers and parents. Submissions will be judged by a consortium of international jellyfish researchers and educators.

Contest Winners: Winning submissions will be displayed at the Jellyfish ROCK outreach event in Santa Barbara, CA, on November 20, 2010. Prizes will be presented to the winning pieces in each age category and will be displayed at the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History during the event.

DUE DATE: Entries must be received by 5:00 p.m. on November 1, 2010. Winners will be announced November 12, 2010. Good luck & happy drawing!

For more information about the contest or to submit your artwork visit our Aquarium Call for Art page.

Scholarship Money is Available

Wed, 08 Sep 2010 19:02 GMT

We’ve heard lots of teachers talk about long lists and years of waiting to hear about scholarship money from the Aquarium. The truth is, we need more scholarship applications to make sure our funds get used as effectively and efficiently as possible. While some funds are unrestricted and can go to any group, we do receive some funds that are directed towards specific locations, grades, or types of groups. The more information we have from your application, the better we can be at matching funds with field trips. Applications are available here!

If you’re interested in other funding options, check out Target and FEDCO. Both have been wonderful sources of field trip funds to the Aquarium.

We look forward to seeing you and your students at the Aquarium soon!

Take a look at the new EEI lesson plans

Sat, 03 Jul 2010 00:24 GMT

“Students of all grade levels love learning about the environment around them,” said Linda Adams, Secretary of the California Environmental Protection Agency. “With the approval of the State Board of Education, the EEI Curriculum takes important science and history-social science academic standards that every student needs to understand and uses the environment to teach those standards to mastery. Along the way, the EEI makes learning relevant and fun, and we’re pleased that this new curriculum will be an in-depth resource for California educators statewide.”

At the foundation of EEI are the five Environmental Principles and Concepts (EP&C). These were collaboratively development by scientists and experts to examine the interactions and interdependence of human societies and natural systems. There has been a lot of work going into creating these lesson plans, with the goal being a new way to teach the standards that already exist. It may not be in the current textbooks, but that should change in the future.

All 85 curriculum units (http://www.calepa.ca.gov/Education/EEI/) are now available for you to see, but they are still in “final draft” form. The final versions will be posted and ready for download come the fall. We’re excited to see how EEI works in the classroom, and how California will be leading the way in environmental education. Let us know you’re thought, ideas, and concerns!

It’s time for the 2nd annual Teacher Family Day

Tue, 18 May 2010 23:44 GMT

Many teachers tell us that they decide to bring students on a field trip to the Aquarium because they’ve visited with their family. Since we want you to feel comfortable during your field trip, we want you to visit the Aquarium free of charge. You can see samples of our school program activities, learn about upcoming professional development opportunities, meet members of our education staff, visit our new Molina Animal Care Center, see our newly renovated sea otter exhibit, plan a future visit or simply enjoy a relaxing day with your family. No matter how you spend the time, we’re excited to have you spend some time at the Aquarium!

Reservations are required for Teacher Family Day, and space is limited. To confirm your space, please contact our Guest Support Center at (562) 951-1630. For the day of the event, please remember to bring a school ID, district paystub, or some other proof of eligibility.

We understand that some folks may still be in school during Teacher Family Day, and we apologize for any inconvenience. If you are unable to attend the June event, we hope you will join us for our Teacher Open House in October in order to learn more about field trips and school programs. (Don’t worry – We’ll make sure you know all the details about Open House as it gets closer. For now, be sure to save the date - October 13.)

We want your feedback about your field trip experience!

Fri, 02 Apr 2010 21:59 GMT

If you’ve been to the Aquarium on a field trip, we’d like your opinion about every aspect of the trip. From making the reservation and the check-in process to the interactive program with an Aquarium educator, we want to know what we did well and what we can do better.

There are lots of things we think we do pretty well, but of course there are things we can always try to do better. How can we improve if we don’t know what you think? Please take a moment to complete our on-line survey and let us know your opinion of the field trip experience at the Aquarium. We’re interested in your recent field trip experiences - the good, the bad, and the ugly. Or if you have funny stories to share, feel free to tell us! Thanks in advance for taking time to help us serve you better.

Click here to take the survey.

Free Admission for Teachers in March

Thu, 04 Mar 2010 14:51 GMT

Bring your school ID to the ticket window to receive free admission to the Aquarium during March. Enjoy the galleries, touch a shark, visit the gift shop for a discount and watch one of our many shows. Many teachers have told us they enjoy visiting the Aquarium without their students, and they feel more prepared for a field trip if they’ve been through the galleries on their own. Please visit us during our free teacher month. Bring your co-workers and make a day of it. We can also offer $3 off adult admission and $1.50 off child admission for up to 4 additional tickets. Hope to see you soon! For more info, click here.