The Aquarium offers a range of student programs and field trips designed to engage students with the local marine environment and ecosystems. These programs, which emphasize hands-on learning, are rigorously designed to align with the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), ensuring their academic relevance to classroom curricula.
One popular and budget-friendly option is the self-guided tour, allowing students to explore the aquarium’s exhibits at their own pace. Schools from the nine Bay Area counties can participate in these tours free of charge. Guided exploration tours are also available, offering deeper insights into the aquarium’s exhibits with the help of naturalists.
Another notable program is hosted at the Sea Lion Center, where students can engage in classroom-style learning combined with a tour of the aquarium. The “Discover the Bay” program also provides students with a hands-on ecological experience aboard a hybrid ferry. It allows them to study bay ecosystems and environmental technologies firsthand.
For schools unable to visit in person, the aquarium offers virtual tours that bring interactive educational content directly to classrooms. These tours, facilitated by staff biologists, not only allow students to ask questions and learn about over 200 marine species but also provide a similar experience to an in-person visit. The aquarium also runs the “Project WATERS” initiative, focusing on aquatic ecosystems and trout conservation, available exclusively for San Francisco schools.
These diverse educational experiences help foster environmental stewardship and deepen students’ understanding of marine life, making the Aquarium of the Bay a valuable destination for field trips and virtual learning opportunities.
