The National Aquarium Is Committed to Education on the Aquatic Environment

By getting their boots in the water and putting their hands in the earth, the many thousands of students who participate in the National Aquarium’s education programs make emotional connections that create lasting enthusiasm for the environment.

Free School Visits: More than 70,000 Maryland and Washington, DC, children in school groups visit the National Aquarium’s venues free of charge each year from September until the end of February. They become immersed in the world of water and learn more about protecting the animals that live on planet Earth and the habitats they live in.

Teacher Training: The Aquarium also conducts teacher workshops throughout the year on a wide variety of topics. They include a teacher sleepover; several one-day workshops including Project WET, Project WILD, Project Learning Tree and Ocean Exploration; and one-hour Teacher Orientations in preparation for field trips.

Henry Hall Program: More than $400,000 in scholarships have been awarded to Baltimore City middle and high school students interested in marine and environmental science. Through this program, students apply to participate in exciting summer excursions and educational and career opportunities. The program also offers paid internships for college students to work at the National Aquarium’s Baltimore venue and provides one-year $1,000 scholarships for studies in engineering, biology, environmental science and aquatic science.

Aquarium on Wheels: This unique work-study program for Baltimore City and County high school students provides extensive paid job training, life skills and team building. Students develop aquatic-themed theatrical presentations, writing scripts and creating costumes, props and theatrical backdrops. In the summer, they present their original productions at Enoch Pratt Free Library branches throughout Baltimore. Extensive training from National Aquarium staff introduces the students to aquatic organisms and encourages cooperative skills and teaching techniques.

AquaPartners: Launched in 2001, this program targets fourth- and fifth-grade students at 11 Baltimore City Public Schools and is currently funded by the Toyota Foundation USA.  The goal of AquaPartners is to engage students and teachers in using the Chesapeake Bay as a context for learning.  Classroom programs culminate in field trips to the Bay–an opportunity many of these students would otherwise never have.  The program also includes a Summer Institute for teachers and a special evening at the Aquarium for students, teachers and parents. Each year nearly 1,400 students are involved in the program.

Aquatic and Marine Science for Today’s Classroom Teacher: Through this stipend-based program supported by the Toyota USA Foundation, District of Columbia public and charter school teachers can advance their own understanding of marine habitats that help to sustain life on Earth.

Youth Outreach: It’s a real treat for students from preschool to high school when the National Aquarium outreach staff arrives with animals, artifacts and fun. Activities include squid dissection, building a crab pot like a Chesapeake waterman and touch sessions with live animals. Whatever the class choice–and there are many–all the students learn about the fragility of the Earth and its inhabitants, and the need to preserve and protect natural resources.

Student Summer Program: High school students from the Baltimore metropolitan area enjoy and benefit from a summer of sharing in the National Aquarium’s mission and its magic. After completing a training course, students work as exhibit guides in the galleries. They encounter people from all over the world, interpret exhibits and teach about conservation. Students who have completed ninth grade and at least one biology course are eligible to apply.