Instructor-Led Field Trip Programs

It’s the Cycle of Life

What do animals need to survive? How do animals change as they get older? How does this compare to plants? The world is full of incredible plants and animals that often make us ask questions about how they survive and grow. Join us as we look at the similarities and differences of the basic needs and life cycles of different species of organisms.

Standards: CD-SC3.4a

K.1 Transportation Station

All aboard the ocean of motion express! Have you ever wondered how aquatic animals move from place to place? Whether you’re in an ocean or stream, all animals have distinct ways of getting around the unique layouts of their environments. From swift swimmers like beluga whales and dolphins to barely-mobile critters like sea stars and urchins, we’ll discover all of the different ways animals move and even demonstrate some movements.

Standards: SKL2a, SKP2b, K.MDR.7, K.MDR.7.1, K-PS2-1

K.2 Light the Way

We often look up at the sky and feel moved, but did you know that animals actually use the Sun, Moon, and stars to navigate their way through life? Light has a significant effect on how some animals eat, migrate, and even reproduce! However, this means artificial lights can sometimes have negative effects on these animals. Come discover how the power of the cosmos can change the behavior of aquatic animals, and analyze the role humans play in this process.

Standards: SKE1b, K.PAR.6, K.PAR.6.2, 1-ESS3-3

1.1 Nature’s Needs

Plants and animals come in many different shapes and sizes, but they all have a couple things in common. These are called their basic needs. How are their needs met in human care? Join us as we compare and contrast the needs of marine and freshwater habitats to the basic needs of plants and animals at Georgia Aquarium.

Standards: S1L1b, 1-MP.2, K-LS1-1

1.2 An Ocean Orca-stra 

The ocean is alive with many sounds. Animals like fish, whales, sea turtles, and crustaceans, are almost always communicating with one another. Sound is important for these animals’ survival and Georgia Aquarium incorporates sound in training our animals too! Join us as we uncover the lively sounds of underwater sea life here at Georgia Aquarium.

Standards: S1P1d, 1.PAR.3.2, K-2-ETS1-1

2.1 The Motions of the Ocean

Animals can be grouped into many different categories, including those based on their physical properties. In this lesson, we will explore how these physical traits influence the lives of aquatic animals and how they help these fascinating creatures move through their underwater environments. This program will give a better understanding of how form and function work together in the aquatic world.

Standards: S2P2c, S2P1a, 2.MDR.5.2, 3-PS2

2.2 Life is a Cycle

Animals come in a wide variety of shapes, sizes, and colors– all of which can change depending on their life cycle stage. Through engaging activities and exploration, be challenged to think like scientific researchers by investigating the unique life cycles of plants and animals. Discover how the life cycles of marine organisms compare to those of humans by observing our animals right here at Georgia Aquarium.

Standards: S2L1a, 2.MDR.5.3, 2-LS4-1

3.1 Fun with Fossils

What can ancient fossils tell us about the incredible creatures that once ruled our oceans? How do these time-traveling treasures help scientists piece together Earth’s prehistoric past? In this program, students will have hands-on exploration of real biofacts, marine fossils, and images of marine animal remains. They’ll discover how to tell the difference between ordinary rocks and extraordinary fossils—and uncover how these natural clues become powerful tools for unraveling the mysteries of marine life through the ages.

Standards: S3E2a, 3.NR.1.2, 3-LS4-1

3.2 Pollution Solution

How do our everyday actions shape the world around us? Human activity plays a major role in the health of our environment. In this interactive program, students will further understand the real-world impact of pollution on marine ecosystems—and discover innovative solutions that can help create change. They’ll explore the power of the Four R’s (Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) and unleash their creativity to find practical ways to protect local environments right in their own communities.

Standards: S3L2, 3.NR.1.2, S3L2b, 3-LS4-4

3.3 Aquatic Adaptations

How do animals survive and thrive in the wild? Through incredible adaptations! From camouflage to mimicry, animals have evolved amazing ways to fit perfectly into their environments. In this program, students will explore real-life examples of physical and behavioral adaptations and uncover the secrets behind nature’s survival strategies. Join us at Georgia Aquarium for an unforgettable adventure into the wild world of adaptations—and see how habitats have shaped life in the most fascinating ways.

Standards: S3L1, S3L1b, S3L1c, 3.NR.4, 3.NR.4.4, 3-LS3-2, 3-LS4-3

4.1 Sights and Sounds of the Sea

Many unseen factors on Earth can affect animals and their environments. Noise pollution, Earth’s orbit, and the moon’s phases are some examples that can affect the ocean’s animals in massive ways. What other hidden factors can impact the animals we know and adore? Explore how these sneaky sea-crets impact the animals we know and adore—and how creatures have come up with fin-tastic ways to ride the tides of change.

Standards: S4E2c, S4P2a, 4.MDR.6.2, 4-PS3-2

4.2 Kelp-ing the Balance

From the deep blue sea to the leafy canopies above, every animal has a tasty tale to tell in their ecosystem’s food chain! But what happens when a splash of weather, a wave of water, or a surprise snack-stealing predator shows up? Dive into the kelp forest and meet some amazing animals—like sea otters, sea urchins, sharks, and kelp—all working together to keep things in balance. Through hands-on fun and wild imagination, kids will munch their way through the secrets of who eats who, and discover how food chains stay strong even when nature throws a bite their way.

Standards: S4L1b, S4L1c, 4.NR.2-1, 5-LS2-1

4.3 Lights, Gravity, Pressure

Animals that live on land are significantly affected by light and gravity. Life underwater comes with its own additional challenges, like strong pressure, visibility, and staying afloat. How do these fin-tastic ocean critters handle it all? In this splash-tacular lesson, discover the super sea powers animals use to survive and thrive. From clever camouflage to buoyant bodies, it’s time to explore how ocean animals go with the flow in the wild underwater world.

Standards: S4P1a, S4P3a, 4.NR.2-5, 4-PS4-2

5.1 Extreme Events

The surface of the Earth is a complex, ever-changing landscape. From earthquakes and volcanoes to floods and tsunamis, there are many constructive and destructive forces that impact the lives of this planet’s many species. These changes on earth are also exacerbated by human impact. Come along and discover how animals are able to adapt to and survive these extreme events.

Standards: S5E1b, S5P1b, 4-ESS2-1

5.2 A Shark’s Sixth Sense     

Sharks are among the most impressive predators in the world, and have inspired fascination for centuries. From their dentition to their dermal denticles, sharks have many unique adaptations. However, few people realize sharks are equipped with a hidden sixth sense, electromagnetic receptors, making them highly efficient predators that keeps them on the top of the food chain. Uncover how sharks use this sixth sense to find their prey, and discuss ways that we can help to protect these incredible creatures.

Standards: S5L1a, S5P3a, 5.NR.2, 5.NR.2.1, MS-PS2-3

5.3 Big Changes, Small Organisms

Microorganisms can be found all over the Earth, even in some of the planet’s most extreme ecosystems. They can be found in habitats such as air, soil, and especially our ocean. These creatures might be tiny in size, but they have a massive and essential impact on the health and function of our ocean. Take a deeper dive into the tiny world of these mighty microbes and discover different types of plankton, their significance in the food chain, and their importance in our lives.

Standards: S5L4a, S5L4b, MS-LS1-6

6.1 Turning the Tides

The oceans’ tides, currents, and waves play a significant role in the health of many unique ecosystems around the world. Animals have formed many adaptations to depend on these predictable patterns for many aspects of their lives. Dive into the ever changing world of tidal zones, predictable nutrient cycling, and the unbelievable behaviors of ocean-dwelling organisms around the globe.

Standards: S6E4c, S6E3d, 6.NR.1, 6.NR.1.3, MS-ESS2-4

6.2 Fueling the Future 

As the human population continues to grow, our energy demand races alongside it. While our current energy supplies dwindle, a new form of energy must be explored. How do our energy actions impact environments around the world? What are the impacts of renewable energy sources such as solar power and alternative fuels? Discover the positives and negatives of all our energy sources as we dive into the details to explore these questions and so much more.

Standards: S6E6a, S6E6c, 6.PAR.8.1, MS-ESS3-5

6.3 Saving the Seas

One of the leading causes of damage to our planet is human activity. Rising temperatures, degraded water quality, and habitat destruction are drastically altering many habitats – from warm, tropical waters to the cold, Arctic Ocean. Dive in to explore the threat of coral bleaching, analyze the effects of rising temperatures on animals, and discover how coastal engineering can play a role in protecting our marine ecosystems and our own infrastructure.

Standards: S6E3a, 6.NR.4.1, MS-ESS3-5

7.1 Ecosystems of Change

Every living thing on Earth is connected—but what happens when those connections are disrupted? From shared habitats to vital resources, animals have spent millions of years learning to coexist. But now, human activity is changing the balance. Explore how these delicate relationships are being affected. Put your thinking caps on to explore creative ways we can all take action to protect these vital connections and support healthy ecosystems.

Standards: S7L4a, S7L4c, 7.NR.1.10, MS-LS-2-2

7.2 – Sensational Systems

Have you ever wondered how big a shark’s liver is compared to a human’s? Or how fish are able to move in schools without bumping into each other all the time? Similar to the complexities of the human body, all aquatic animals have some incredible adaptations that allow them to thrive in a watery world. Come and learn about some sensational body systems and the similarities we share with different aquatic species.

Standards: S7L2c, 7.NR.1-Element 9, MS-LS1-3, MS-LS1-3

7.3 Progressing Populations

How can Georgia Aquarium’s animal care teams tell one animal from another? What can DNA reveal about the way animals survive and adapt? These questions open the door to inspiring lessons in genetics, conservation, and biodiversity. Discover how our team uses DNA in groundbreaking research and conservation efforts to protect endangered species and explore the genetic traits that help animals thrive.

Standards: S7L3b, 7.PAR.4-Element 12, MS-LS3-2

8.1 Ocean of Energy

Our world is full of energy, especially in the ocean! Light, color, and heat waves are all present in the ocean and can directly impact living organisms. Dive into the sea to explore how different forms of energy can be transferred, conserved, or behave differently through different mediums. Grab your goggles and observe how waves transfer energy to ecosystems, identify how animals use light and color to their benefit, and investigate how heat energy supports life in extreme conditions.

Standards: S8P2d, S8P4d, 8.NR.2.3, MS-PS4-2

8.2 Current Commotions

From the pull of gravity to the push of water – we are constantly working against or alongside the forces that shape the Earth and its ocean. Whether we harness the weather with sails and wind, or we’re propelled through water by engine or feet – the aquatic world is in constant motion! Explore the effects of the motions of the ocean, discover the laws that dictate the depths, and investigate how an animal’s or object’s characteristics affect their ability to move through water.

Standards: S8P1.c, S8P3.b, S8P3.c, 8.PAR.3.6, MS-PS2-2, HS-PS2-1

8.3 Fantastic Forces (and Where to Find Them)

Forces and energy are all around us and interact with the natural world in fascinating ways. What happens when we go beyond a science lab and apply these scientific phenomena to living, breathing organisms? From electroreceptive sharks to floating frogs, dive into how aquatic animals use the invisible forces and fields at play to thrive and survive.

Standards: S8P2.b, S8P5.a, 8.PAR.3.1, MS-PS2-5, MS-PS3-5

Oceanic Occupations

There are many unique jobs required to keep Georgia Aquarium afloat, from animal care specialists, chemists, engineers, nutritionists, divers, and aquarists. Dive deep beneath the waves to see how these teams work together and what they do to care for animals and provide unique experiences, all while exploring the variety of career pathways one can follow to be part of the team.

Standards: SZ5, SSPFL4, HS-ETS1

Animal Behaviors

Have you ever wondered what it takes to properly care for animals at an aquarium? From beluga whales, to penguins, and turtles, it’s important for animal care staff to understand the variety of needs and behaviors of all of our animals. Investigate different training and enrichment techniques, as well as see how vet care, nutrition, and psychology can help support animal care and health at Georgia Aquarium.

Standards: SZ5, AFNR-VS-16, AFNR-VS-8, HS-LS2-8

Alien Extremes

From organisms that prefer the furthest depths of the ocean, to nearly microscopic organisms living in the saltiest lakes, the world is filled with strange and mysterious organisms known as extremophiles. However, our planet may not be the only place to harbor such fascinating life forms. Dive deep into the ocean with us to begin uncovering the mysteries of some of Earth’s most intriguing organisms.

Standards: SAST6, SB5, SMI7, HS-LS4-4

Oceanography

The ocean is one of the most amazing places on the entire Earth, yet remains largely unexplored. Oceanographers seek to better understand the ocean by examining the ocean’s ancient history, observing current conditions, and looking towards a brighter future. Step into the shoes of an oceanographer as we examine the physical, chemical, geographical, and biological features of the ocean.

Standards: SO1.a, SO3.b, HS-ESS2-4