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Teacher Resources

Welcome Teachers!

Welcome to the Aquarium of the Pacific Teacher Resources site and NGSS informational page.

The Aquarium of the Pacific is ready to support your classroom curriculum with marine science related resources and is well positioned to support and train educators for the implementation of the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). The Education department has been working to identify, highlight, develop, and provide educators with programming and professional development opportunities that collectively contribute to the implementation of NGSS.

Within this site you will also find resources developed to bring the ocean and hands-on science into your classroom, as well as resources that will help you get the most out of your time during your field trip to the Aquarium.

We hope you keep coming back to see what new ideas and events we have to offer you.

Welcome Teachers!

Pacific Visions exterior

Pacific Visions Resources

Explore a collection of field trip and classroom resources focused on the themes in the Pacific Visions wing. Students are introduced to the challenges facing our natural resources and the creative solutions needed to build a sustainable future.

Career Connections Logo

Career Connections

Tools for the Classroom

These videos and supporting teacher material introduce students to STEM professionals, possible career options, current science being conducted, and the multi-disciplinary skills necessary to be successful in these careers.

Filling out a worksheet in front of a monitor

Aquarium Webcam Resource Kits

Data Focused Tools for the Classroom

Aligned with Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), these inquiry-based kits encourage students to make observations using the Aquarium’s live streaming animal webcams. The Webcam Resource Kits include lesson plans, short educational videos, worksheets, and web-based activities and resources for K-8th grade students

Map of southern California with pins at whale sighting locations

Southern California Whale Research Project App: Connecting People, Science, and Whales

Data Focused Tools for the Classroom

This data focused application allows students to manipulate and track historical data on whale sightings off the coast of Southern California

Map of penguin locations

Story Mapping and GIS (Geographic Information Systems)

Data Focused Tools for the Classroom

Story maps have been created to help students explore data and study the natural world around them through spatial visualization. The Aquarium also provides students/teachers tutorials and samples that guide them on building individualized story maps.

Students in a classroom watching Aquarium led video conference

Interactive Video Conferencing Programs

Educational Programming

These standards based educator-led programs are taught live to classrooms nationally and internationally through videoconferencing technology.

Students doing hands on lesson plan

Onsite Educational Programs

Educational Programming

The Aquarium offers inquiry and standards based educational programs for preschool to college age students focused on marine science and climate change issues.

Aquarium theater full of people watching lecturer

Guest Lectures

Professional Development Opportunities

The Aquarium’s guest scientist lecture series provide an opportunity to connect teachers with current science. Lectures are broadcasted live and archived to the Aquarium’s website.

People in lab coats in a circle

Teacher Workshops

Professional Development Opportunities

The Education department offers a variety of teacher workshops through the year including workshops specifically focused on data-driven classroom programming, robotic exploration of our oceans and planet, and NGSS implementation. In addition, the Education department leads a grant-funded week long intensive introduction to the Aquarium, Southern California’s diverse ecosystems, and current research being conducted by local scientist.