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Aquarium Education Programs

All Education Programs

May 2013

Saturday Family Fun: Sea Jellies
May 25, 2013 10:00 AM—11:30 AM

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and Other Incredible Invertebrates

Explore these incredible animals with your four to six-year-old child.

Early Long Beach
May 28, 2013 7:00 PM—8:30 PM

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Gerrie Schipske

Gerrie Schipske will discuss the natural assets, the people, and the events that shaped the first fifty years of history in Long Beach, California, her native city.

Job Shadow: Veterinarian
May 29, 2013 3:30 PM—6:30 PM

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Fish can get sick too!

Learn what it takes to be a world-class veterinarian in charge of over 11,000 animals in this hands-on class.

June 2013

Job Shadow: Veterinarian
June 1, 2013 9:00 AM—12:00 PM

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Fish can get sick too!

Learn what it takes to be a world-class veterinarian in charge of over 11,000 animals in this hands-on class.

The Past, Present, and Future Habitats of Los Cerritos Wetlands
June 6, 2013 7:00 PM—8:30 PM

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Eric Zahn

Eric Zahn will discuss recent restoration efforts at the Los Cerritos Wetlands, located on the border of Los Angeles and Orange Counties near the mouth of the San Gabriel River.

Junior Biologist: Southern California/Baja
June 8, 2013 9:30 AM—11:30 AM

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Learn about the animals and habitat right off our own coast.

Kids ages 7-12 will discover the adaptations the animals that live right off our coast need.

Gladiator of the Sea
June 13, 2013 7:00 PM—8:30 PM

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Richard Ellis

Richard Ellis will discuss the broadbill swordfish, whose scientific name Xiphias gladius means “gladiator.”

Aqua Tots: Shoreline Shapes
June 15, 2013 10:00 AM—11:30 AM

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Shape is the focus of this Aqua Tot program.

As we explore our surroundings we will discover the beautiful shapes in the sea with your two or three-year-old.

The Urban Ocean: World Port and Sealife Cruise
June 15, 2013 4:00 PM—6:30 PM

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Join us on a double-deck yacht as we explore one of the most distinctive sections of our coastline and experience the wonders of the Southern California Urban Ocean.

Junior Biologist Day Camp 1
June 17, 2013 8:00 AM—5:00 PM

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Dive deeper into the field of marine biology!

Give your 5th-7th grade child the opportunity to delve deeper into the field of marine biology.

Ocean Exploration
June 18, 2013 7:00 PM—8:30 PM

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Dr. Sylvia Earle

Sylvia Earle is an oceanographer, explorer, author, and lecturer with experience as a field research scientist. In her lecture she will share stories of exploration and discovery.

Impacts of Radioactivity on Marine Life After Fukushima
June 19, 2013 7:00 PM—8:30 PM

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Nicholas Fisher

Nicholas Fisher will talk about the release of long-lived radionuclides from the Fukushima nuclear power plant in Japan into the Pacific and the subsequent bioaccumulation of these contaminants in diverse marine biota.

Saturday Family Fun: Totally Turtles
June 22, 2013 10:00 AM—11:30 AM

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Discover fun facts and turtle trivia as you explore these reptiles with your four to six-year-old child.

Introduction to Scientific Diving
June 24, 2013 7:00 AM—4:00 PM

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Dive in local habitats and an Aquarium exhibit with scientific divers!

During this five-day dive program participants have the opportunity to dive into the temperate Southern California waters and learn what its like to be a scientific diver!

Junior Biologist Day Camp 2
June 24, 2013 8:00 AM—5:00 PM

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Dive deeper into the field of marine biology!

Give your 5th-7th grade child the opportunity to delve deeper into the field of marine biology.

Sea Squirt Camp 1
June 25, 2013 8:30 AM—11:30 AM

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This three-day camp offers an exciting introduction to marine biology for five-and-six-year-olds.

Exploring the Sensory Biology of Sea Otters Through Cooperative Research
June 25, 2013 7:00 PM—8:30 PM

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Asila Ghoul

The Aquarium’s southern sea otter Charlie recently returned from Santa Cruz, California, where he participated in a year-long study of how sea otters perceive sound.

July 2013

Fish Fry Camp
July 1, 2013 8:30 AM—10:30 AM

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Bring your 3-or-4-year-old little fry to the Aquarium for a special parent-child day camp!

Sea Squirt Camp 2
July 1, 2013 8:30 AM—11:30 AM

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This three-day camp offers an exciting introduction to marine biology for five-and-six-year-olds.

Job Shadow: Marine Biologist
July 3, 2013 3:30 PM—6:30 PM

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Taking care of fish is a fun and rewarding hobby, and it can even be a career!

Aquarist is not a zodiac sign. It is a very important position that our scaly and spineless friends rely on! Find out what it takes to be one in this three-hour class!

Job Shadow: Marine Biologist
July 6, 2013 9:00 AM—12:00 PM

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Taking care of fish is a fun and rewarding hobby, and it can even be a career!

Aquarist is not a zodiac sign. It is a very important position that our scaly and spineless friends rely on! Find out what it takes to be one in this three-hour class!

Ocean Adventure Day Camp 1
July 8, 2013 8:00 AM—5:00 PM

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A summer ocean adventure awaits!

Join us as we explore the Pacific ocean and its inhabitants during our week-long summer day camp adventures for kids in grades 2-4.

Looking Backwards at the Future: Exploring the Deepest Oceans
July 9, 2013 7:00 PM—8:30 PM

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Captain Don Walsh, Ph.D.

In 1960 Captain Don Walsh of the U.S. Navy (retired) and Jacques Piccard dove the bathyscaph Trieste to the deepest place in the world, the Challenger Deep, at 35,840 feet in the Mariana Trench. This dive was not repeated until fifty-two years later.

Junior Biologist: Northern Pacific
July 13, 2013 9:30 AM—11:30 AM

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What adaptations do animals have for the cold?

Participants ages 7-12 will learn how an amazing variety of animals have adapted to live in the icy north!

Aqua Tots: Sounds of the Sea
July 13, 2013 10:00 AM—11:30 AM

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This program focuses on the sounds made by some of the animals that live in the ocean.

Do you love the calming sound of the waves on the shore? Did you know that there is a commotion of noise just under those waves?

The Urban Ocean: World Port and Sealife Cruise
July 13, 2013 4:00 PM—6:30 PM

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Join us on a double-deck yacht as we explore one of the most distinctive sections of our coastline and experience the wonders of the Southern California Urban Ocean.

Ocean Adventure Day Camp 2
July 15, 2013 8:00 AM—5:00 PM

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A summer ocean adventure awaits!

Join us as we explore the Pacific ocean and its inhabitants during our week-long summer day camp adventures for kids in grades 2-4.

Fish Fry Camp
July 16, 2013 8:30 AM—10:30 AM

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Bring your 3-or-4-year-old little fry to the Aquarium for a special parent-child day camp!

Creatures of the Deep and Treasure Maps of the Ocean Floor
July 16, 2013 7:00 PM—8:30 PM

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Dawn Wright

In the last ten to twenty years new sophisticated technologies have been developed that hold tremendous potential for mapping and interpreting the ocean in unprecedented detail. This talk will focus on recent technical advances in mapping the deepest parts of our planet.

Summer Family Sleepover
July 19, 2013 5:00 PM—7:00 AM

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Explore the Aquarium after hours, and don’t forget to pack your sleeping bag!

Introduction to Scientific Diving
July 22, 2013 7:00 AM—4:00 PM

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Dive in local habitats and an Aquarium exhibit with scientific divers!

During this five-day dive program participants have the opportunity to dive into the temperate Southern California waters and learn what its like to be a scientific diver!

Junior Biologist Day Camp 1
July 22, 2013 8:00 AM—5:00 PM

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Dive deeper into the field of marine biology!

Give your 5th-7th grade child the opportunity to delve deeper into the field of marine biology.

Environmental Impacts from an ‘Ocean’ of Humans
July 25, 2013 7:00 PM—8:30 PM

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Jesus Reyes

The Southern California Bight receives more than 1.1 billion gallons of treated municipal wastewater every day. Wastewater can carry contaminants that are endocrine disruptors for fish and other marine life.

Saturday Family Fun: Shark Sleuths
July 27, 2013 10:00 AM—11:30 AM

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Sharks are the focus of this family program.

Discover how sharks’ amazing adaptations make them excellent predators with your four- to six-year-old child.

Junior Biologist Day Camp 2
July 29, 2013 8:00 AM—5:00 PM

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Dive deeper into the field of marine biology!

Give your 5th-7th grade child the opportunity to delve deeper into the field of marine biology.

Ocean Adventure Day Camp 3
July 29, 2013 8:00 AM—5:00 PM

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A summer ocean adventure awaits!

Join us as we explore the Pacific ocean and its inhabitants during our week-long summer day camp adventures for kids in grades 2-4.

Job Shadow: Mammalogist
July 31, 2013 3:30 PM—6:30 PM

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If you want to grow up and be a dolphin trainer, then this class is for you!

Husbandry has nothing to do with finding a mate, and everything to do with animal healthcare. Learn how our mammalogists care for our marine mammals.

August 2013

Job Shadow: Mammalogist
August 3, 2013 9:00 AM—12:00 PM

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If you want to grow up and be a dolphin trainer, then this class is for you!

Husbandry has nothing to do with finding a mate, and everything to do with animal healthcare. Learn how our mammalogists care for our marine mammals.

Marine Science Sleepover Camp
August 5, 2013 8:00 AM—5:00 PM

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Dive into some marine science!

This three day camp boasts something none of our other camps offer: the chance to sleep under the sea stars!

Junior Biologist: Tropical Pacific
August 10, 2013 9:30 AM—11:30 AM

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Learn about the special needs that marine biologists must consider when taking care of animals from this area.

Participants ages 7-12 will learn all about this colorful habitat and the animals that live in it.

The Urban Ocean: World Port and Sealife Cruise
August 10, 2013 4:00 PM—6:30 PM

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Join us on a double-deck yacht as we explore one of the most distinctive sections of our coastline and experience the wonders of the Southern California Urban Ocean.

Ocean Adventure Day Camp 4
August 12, 2013 8:00 AM—5:00 PM

Ocean Adventure Day Camp 4 ButtonLink

A summer ocean adventure awaits!

Join us as we explore the Pacific ocean and its inhabitants during our week-long summer day camp adventures for kids in grades 2-4.

Sea Squirt Camp 1
August 13, 2013 8:30 AM—11:30 AM

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This three-day camp offers an exciting introduction to marine biology for five-and-six-year-olds.

Exploring the Deep Pacific: Dragonfish, Spookfish, and Other Unbelievable Animals
August 13, 2013 7:00 PM—8:30 PM

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Bruce Robison

Bruce Robison will discuss recent discoveries made using both manned and robotic submersibles to explore the deep sea.

Aqua Tots: Super Senses of the Sea
August 17, 2013 10:00 AM—11:30 AM

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Explore the world with your five senses!

Explore your five senses while discovering how ocean animals use their sense of sight, smell, hearing, touch, and taste to survive with your two or three-year-old.

Ocean Adventure Day Camp 1
August 19, 2013 8:00 AM—5:00 PM

Ocean Adventure Day Camp 1 ButtonLink

A summer ocean adventure awaits!

Join us as we explore the Pacific ocean and its inhabitants during our week-long summer day camp adventures for kids in grades 2-4.

Sea Squirt Camp 2
August 20, 2013 8:30 AM—11:30 AM

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This three-day camp offers an exciting introduction to marine biology for five-and-six-year-olds.

Constructed Wetland in Southern California
August 21, 2013 7:00 PM—8:30 PM

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Ron Carroll

Constructed wetlands are artificial wetland environments that can provide this critical habitat, while providing biofiltration, for example, to treat wastewater.

Saturday Family Fun: Magnificent Marine Mammals
August 24, 2013 10:00 AM—11:30 AM

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Our marine mammal relatives who live in the ocean are the focus of this family program.

Explore what makes marine mammals like whales to sea otters so special with your four to six-year-old child.

The Kraken Revealed: The Story Behind Finding the Giant Squid
August 27, 2013 7:00 PM—8:30 PM

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Edith Widder

Edith Widder is a deep-sea explorer, oceanographer, marine biologist, and co-founder of the Ocean Research and Conservation Association.

Ocean Mapping: Exposing the Secrets of the Deep
August 29, 2013 7:00 PM—8:30 PM

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Larry Mayer

Larry Mayer will discuss advances made in the past fifty years in using sonar to map the seafloor and the water column.

September 2013

Job Shadow: Bird Biologist
September 4, 2013 3:30 PM—6:30 PM

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Shadow our talented aviculture staff and see what it takes to run our successful bird exhibits here at the Aquarium.

This class is designed to get you hands-on experience here at the Aquarium with our bird biologists.

Job Shadow: Bird Biologist
September 7, 2013 9:00 AM—12:00 PM

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Shadow our talented aviculture staff and see what it takes to run our successful bird exhibits here at the Aquarium.

This class is designed to get you hands-on experience here at the Aquarium with our bird biologists.

The Urban Ocean: World Port and Sealife Cruise
September 7, 2013 4:00 PM—6:30 PM

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Join us on a double-deck yacht as we explore one of the most distinctive sections of our coastline and experience the wonders of the Southern California Urban Ocean.

Living Light in the Ocean Darkness
September 11, 2013 7:00 PM—8:30 PM

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Michael Latz

Learn about bioluminescent animals in the deep ocean with marine biologist Michael Latz, who has been studying bioluminescence for more than twenty-five years.

Junior Biologist: Sharks
September 14, 2013 9:30 AM—11:30 AM

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Sharks are amazing predators of the deep!

Participants ages 7-12 will explore these amazing predators in this exciting class.

Homeschool Days
September 18, 2013 9:00 AM—12:00 PM

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The Aquarium of the Pacific would like to invite homeschool networks, students, parents, and teachers to our Homeschool Days

Homeschool Days
September 19, 2013 9:00 AM—12:00 PM

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The Aquarium of the Pacific would like to invite homeschool networks, students, parents, and teachers to our Homeschool Days

Aqua Tots: Colors of the Ocean
September 21, 2013 10:00 AM—11:30 AM

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Let's focus on the many colors in the ocean!

What’s your favorite color? Discover which animal in the ocean shares your passion for purple or your glee at the sight of green with your two or three-year-old.

Drugs from the Deep
September 24, 2013 7:00 PM—8:30 PM

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Shirley Pomponi

Researcher Shirley Pomponi will discuss the chemicals sponges use to defend against predators, communicate with other sponges, reproduce, and even prevent infections that are also being studied for their potential use in treating human disorders and diseases.

Saturday Family Fun: Sea Jellies
September 28, 2013 10:00 AM—11:30 AM

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and Other Incredible Invertebrates

Explore these incredible animals with your four to six-year-old child.

October 2013

Job Shadow: Veterinarian
October 2, 2013 3:30 PM—6:30 PM

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Fish can get sick too!

Learn what it takes to be a world-class veterinarian in charge of over 11,000 animals in this hands-on class.

Understanding the Planetary Life Support System: Next-Generation Science in the Ocean Basins
October 3, 2013 7:00 PM—8:30 PM

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John Delaney

John Delaney will discuss the new technologies that are helping oceanographers access and understand the ocean and ocean processes, which drive our planet’s “life-support system.”

Job Shadow: Veterinarian
October 5, 2013 9:00 AM—12:00 PM

Job Shadow: Veterinarian ButtonLink

Fish can get sick too!

Learn what it takes to be a world-class veterinarian in charge of over 11,000 animals in this hands-on class.

Continually Running Programs

Animal Encounter: Sharks

Tours & Animal Encounters | Animal Encounters

Animal Encounter: Sharks  buttonLink

This two-hour experience will lead the guests through the Aquarium on a guided tour of many of our most exciting behind the scenes areas.

Animal Encounter: Penguin

Feed a penguin!

Animal Encounter: Penguin  buttonLink

Participate in a feeding and training session with one of our most popular residents.

Gray Whale Watch

Winter Season Cruise

Gray Whale Watch  buttonLink

Take a voyage with Harbor Breeze Cruises in search of gray whales as they migrate along our coastline.

Dolphin and Sea Life Cruise

Fall & Spring Season Cruise

Dolphin and Sea Life Cruise  buttonLink

Take a voyage with Harbor Breeze Cruises in search of several species of dolphins, sea lions, sea birds, and other marine animals.

Birthday Parties

Unforgettable Memories

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Let the Aquarium supply all the ingredients for an unforgettable party, with the selection of a shark, marine mammal, or turtle theme!

Behind the Scenes Tour

Tours & Animal Encounters | Behind the Scenes Tours | Tours and Encounters | Behind the Scenes Tours

Behind the Scenes Tour  buttonLink

Venture behind the scenes in this tour

Animal Encounter: Sea Otter

Tours & Animal Encounters | Animal Encounters

Animal Encounter: Sea Otter  buttonLink

Roll up your sleeves and help prepare some food as you learn about taking care of some of our most popular furry critters!

Animal Encounter: Seals and Sea Lions

Tours & Animal Encounters | Animal Encounters | Tours and Encounters | Animal Encounters

Animal Encounter: Seals and Sea Lions  buttonLink

Experience what our mammalogists do on a day-to-day basis to help take care of our fun seals and sea lions.

Harbor Tour

Boat Adventures | Tours & Animal Encounters | Tours and Encounters | Boat Programs

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Tour the Long Beach/Los Angeles Harbors with Harbor Breeze Cruises for a 45-minute narrated cruise around one of the most active ports in the world.

Blue Whale and Sea Life Cruise

Summer Season Cruise

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Join naturalists and experts from the Aquarium of the Pacific for an ocean voyage in search of the elusive and beautiful blue whale.

View a full listing of Aquarium events.