Planning Your Trip

Field Trip Planning: Orientation Video and Behavior Contract

Our Field Trip Planning Guide

provides information about how to prepare for your visit, what to expect when you get here and how to help your students make the most of this opportunity.

Our Field Trip Orientation video is also a useful planning aide.

QuickTime (3 MB) |

Windows Media Player (3 MB)

Print out a copy of our Behavior Contract

and review it with students and chaperones, then bring along a signed copy to the aquarium.

Teacher Planning Ticket

Once your reservation is confirmed, you’re eligible for a free pass to visit the aquarium and plan your trip. Call (831) 647-6886 or toll-free (866) 963-9645, or email School Programs.

Online Exhibit Activities, Ocean Explorers Units and Teacher Resources

Online Activities, Teaching Units and Teacher Resources

Our web site offers many ways to help you plan your trip, choose a theme for it and customize learning activities to use before, during and after it.

Classroom/Learning Resources: These include educational activities and standards-based teaching units. Activities are available in Spanish.
Sea Searchers Handbook: Published by the aquarium in 1996, the handbook provides a treasure of hands-on activities, from art to science, from math to language arts.

Chaperones

Chaperones are the key to a successful visit. They play a big role in shaping students’ experiences at the aquarium, so select and prepare yours carefully.

Chaperones are admitted free and must be at least 21 years of age.
You must bring at least one chaperone for every 10 students in your group, but you’re allowed to bring as many as one for every four students. (E.g., if you have 20 students, you must bring at least two chaperones, but you’re allowed to bring as many as five.)
Please review Chaperone Information (English, Spanish) with each of your chaperones before your visit. Print additional copies as needed, and make sure the chaperones understand their duties.

School Group Lunch Packages

You don’t need to worry about lunch when planning your field trip. We’ll deliver hot or cold lunches (including an aquarium souvenir) to the group picnic area or to your bus for the ride home. These Express Lunches are prepared to go, with packages discount priced and no additional charge for delivery. Groups may also request special menus ahead of time.

For more information or to make arrangements for an Express Lunch, please contact the Portola Cafe at (831) 648-4870 or by email, or visit Portola Cafe and Restaurant.

Gift & Bookstore Teacher Discount

Classroom teachers with school identification are eligible for a 10% discount in our book and gift stores. We offer a wealth of engaging resources to help bring ocean learning to life.

Tide Pool Etiquette

Visiting the rocky shore can provide you and your students with an exciting look at ocean plants and animals in their native habitat. Please follow our Tide Pool Etiquette

tips to keep you, your students and the rocky shore animals safe and healthy.

Teacher Newsletter

Get updates on future events and new classroom resources in our online Educator Newsletter.

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Celebrating 25 Years of Ocean Conservation