3rd-5th Grade
Explore some of the ocean's biggest and smallest inhabitants during programs that encourage students to see the ocean in a new way.
Book Your Field Trip Now
(562)590-3100, ext 0.

Aquarium of the Pacific/Andrew Reitsma
List of programs
Animal Exploration
Grades PreK-12
Get your hands wet in this 30-minute, educator-led animal exploration class.
After a brief introduction, students will touch and explore live tidepool animals, animal models, and biofacts.
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Supports Next Generation Science Standards:
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Science and Engineering Practices
- Asking Questions and Defining Problems
- Engaging in Argument from Evidence
- Cross Cutting Concepts
- Patterns
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Science and Engineering Practices
Plankton Lab
Grades 3-8
Join us as we discover the fascinating world of plankton, the microscopic creatures of the ocean.
Through microscope exploration and hands-on activities, learners will reveal the diversity and importance of these organisms to ocean food webs.
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Supports Next Generation Science Standards:
- Performance Expectations
- 3-LS4-3. Construct an argument with evidence that in a particular habitat some organisms can survive well, some survive less well, and some cannot survive at all
- 4-LS1-1. Construct an argument that plants and animals have internal and external structures that function to support survival, growth, behavior, and reproduction.
- MS-LS2-2. Construct an explanation that predicts patterns of interactions among organisms across multiple ecosystems.
- Disciplinary Core Ideas
- LS1.B: Growth and Development of Organisms
- LS2.A: Interdependent Relationships in Ecosystems
- Science and Engineering Practices
- Asking Questions and Defining Problems
- Engaging in Argument from Evidence
- Analyzing and Interpreting Data
- Developing and Using Models
- Cross Cutting Concepts
- Patterns
- Structure and Function
- Performance Expectations
Predator!
Grades 3-8
Ocean predators come in all shapes and sizes and use special adaptations for hunting.
Learners will use hands-on activities to investigate a variety of predators and their important roles in ocean food webs.
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Supports Next Generation Science Standards:
- Performance Expectations
- 3-LS4-3. Construct an argument with evidence that in a particular habitat some organisms can survive well, some survive less well, and some cannot survive at all
- 4-LS1-1. Construct an argument that plants and animals have internal and external structures that function to support survival, growth, behavior, and reproduction.
- MS-LS2-2. Construct an explanation that predicts patterns of interactions among organisms across multiple ecosystems.
- MS-LS2-4. Construct an argument supported by empirical evidence that changes to physical or biological components of an ecosystem affect populations
- Disciplinary Core Ideas
- LS1.B: Growth and Development of Organisms
- LS2.A: Interdependent Relationships in Ecosystems
- Science and Engineering Practices
- Asking Questions and Defining Problems
- Engaging in Argument from Evidence
- Analyzing and Interpreting Data
- Developing and Using Models
- Cross Cutting Concepts
- Patterns
- Structure and Function
- Performance Expectations
Sensational Sharks
Grades 3-8
Discover all that is sensational about sharks!
Learners will explore these fascinating animals, learning what sets sharks, a type of fish, apart from other fish in the ocean. Using live view from the aquarium shark webcams and artifact exploration, students will take a deep dive into the world of sharks, investigating their unique adaptations, including body structure, senses, and shark teeth.
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Supports Next Generation Science Standards:
- Performance Expectations
- 3-LS4-3. Construct an argument with evidence that in a particular habitat some organisms can survive well, some survive less well, and some cannot survive at all
- 4-LS1-1. Construct an argument that plants and animals have internal and external structures that function to support survival, growth, behavior, and reproduction.
- 5-ESS3-1. Obtain and combine information about ways individual communities use science ideas to protect the Earth’s resources and environment
- MS-LS2-4. Construct an argument supported by empirical evidence that changes to physical or biological components of an ecosystem affect populations
- Science and Engineering Practices
- Asking Questions
- Engaging in Argument from Evidence
- Constructing explanations
- Disciplinary Core Ideas
- LS4.C: Adaptation
- ESS3.C: Human Impacts on Earth Systems
- Performance Expectations
Downloadable Classroom Kits

Field Trips to the Aquarium
Reservations & Info • (562) 590-3100, ext. 0
- Provide opportunities to touch animals including sharks, sea stars, anemones, and more
- Engage and excite students
- Inspire awe in the Pacific Ocean and the animals that live there
- Connect to classroom curriculum
- Require advanced reservation