Program Descriptions
School groups have two program options when visiting the Aquarium. They can either sign up for the Instructor-Led Education Experience or Aqua Adventure, our self-guided tour. Both programs are aligned with the Georgia Performance Standards (GPS) at each grade level.
The Instructor-Led Educational Experience and Aqua Adventures are only available Monday-Friday during the operating academic semesters, August-December and January-May. See below for blackout dates for Aqua Adventures.
$12 per student
Our exciting new 45-minute instructor-led programs allow for focused learning opportunities where students can expand their understanding of aquatic ecosystems. Select from one of the programs available at each grade level. All programs are aligned to the Georgia Performance Standards (GPS) and include a downloadable Teacher Guide. To enhance your field trip experience, you are encouraged to spend the remainder of your time exploring the Georgia Aquarium. All 45-minute programs include admission to the 4D Theater.
Pre-Kindergarten Program
Hide & Seek - See what we can find on a journey through the Aquarium. (Teacher Guide)
Aqua Tales - Join Deepo, the Aquarium's mascot, on a wonderful storybook adventure! In Aqua Tales, students will learn how animals move and survive in their homes.(Teacher Guide)
Kindergarten to 2nd grade
Sea Life Safari - Explore basic needs of animals and how they meet them in diverse habitats. (Teacher Guide)
Georgia Critters - Come face to face with animals that find their homes in Georgia. (Teacher Guide)
Bite-size Basics - Observe feeding habits of aquatic animals through hands-on activities. (Teacher Guide)
3rd to 5th grade
Wings in the Water - Discover the uniqueness and diversity of rays. (Teacher Guide)
Weird & Wild - Learn about adaptations that help weird and wild animals survive in the ocean. (Teacher Guide)
Snack Attack - Investigate the relationships between predators and prey and their roles in an ecosystem. (Teacher Guide)
6th to 8th grade - One free adult per 10 students
Ocean and Climate - Examine how our climate and the oceans are interconnected. (Teacher Guide)
Sharks In-Depth - Learn shark classifications, their role in the environment and the human impact. (Teacher Guide)
Ocean Motion - Discover the fundamentals of physical science at work in the ocean. (Teacher Guide)
Undersea Investigators - Learn while taking part in current research at the world’s largest aquarium. (Teacher Guide)
9th to 12th grade - One free adult per 10 students
Aquarium 101 - Discover what it takes to operate the world’s largest Aquarium. (Teacher Guide)
Conservation Alert - Learn about the Aquarium’s role in ocean and animal conservation. (Teacher Guide)
Animal Behavior - Discover the importance of animal training and enrichment. (Teacher Guide)
College Programs - NEW!
We will be offering two opportunities for college groups this year. If you are interested in a college field trip, please call 404.581.4193. for more information.
Behind the Waterworks
This program serves as a complement to an Aquarium visit and is designed to expand the experience of a variety of college courses. Professors can easily pair the program with their own curriculum or project to be completed before or after the program, allowing you to create an experience tailored to the specific needs of your students. During the program, students will visit behind-the-scenes areas, gain an understanding of how the aquarium runs and some of the careers involved, discuss challenges and current issues and have a chance to meet one of our biologists and ask questions about life at the aquarium!
Beyond the Classroom
This program is designed to show pre-service teachers how institutions like the Georgia Aquarium can enhance the lessons they are teaching in their classrooms. During the program, students will go behind the scenes to see how our educators teach our programs, discuss some of the teaching methods we use and get helpful tips on how to incorporate field trips into their future curriculums!
$11 per student
Aqua Adventures is our self-guided tour for grades K-12th on the main floor where you, the teacher, take your students on an adventure through the main Aquarium. Just download the Aqua Adventure Learning Guides found below and have fun!
- Pre K (Teacher Guide)
- K - 2nd Grade (Teacher Guide)
- 3rd - 5th Grade (Teacher Guide)
- 6th - 8th Grade (Teacher Guide)
- 9th - 12th Grade (Teacher Guide)
Aqua Adventures is only available Monday-Friday during the operating academic semesters, August-December and January-May. Blackouts dates apply as follows: Nov. 23-27, 2009; Dec. 21-31, 2009; Jan. 1-6, 2010.
"Planet Shark: Predator or Prey" Add-on (October-May)
Planet Shark - $3 per student
Planet Shark: Predator or Prey will be available October 2009 - May 2010. The exhibit explore the relationships between people and sharks, dispelling myths and providing a better understanding of one of the most misunderstood animals on earth. The exhibit features real shark fossils, a collection of jaws and teeth, full-size cast models from real specimens, authentic artifacts from the movie Jaws and more. The exhibition even features an amazing "frozen in time" display featuring a real, frozen 700 lb Bluefin tuna and its natural predator, a real frozen Mako shark.
Please call the Call Center at 404.581.4000 to add this to your program.
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