School Field Trips

In-Person Class Learning

• Every program includes interactive materials to encourage inquiry-based learning
• Run 60-90 minutes depending on program choice. Specific times are listed for each program
• Most include a guided tour led by Aquarium Educators

• Limited groups of 45 or 60 people as noted for each program
• Groups of 15 – 30 people will split into 2 tour groups, groups of 30 – 45 people will split into 3 groups, groups of 45 – 60 people will split into 4 groups.

$11 per student

• School staff chaperones are free
• Additional adult chaperones are $11
• 1 chaperone is required for every 10 students. Additional adult chaperones are free if needed to meet this ratio.
• Final headcount and cost are calculated the day of the trip; a quote is provided upon booking.
• Credit card, check, cash, or invoice/purchase order options are accepted.

Please Note: These rates are only available for guided field trips scheduled in advance. Walk-in groups will be charged general admission rates and allowed entry pending Aquarium capacity.

• Available Monday – Friday
• 10am – 4pm; first come, first served
• May use the ‘Book Now’ button on webpage to fill out a reservation request form
• If emailing or calling to book, please be ready to provide all information on the reservation request form
• Your trip is officially booked when you receive a reservation confirmation sheet from the Aquarium team

To book a program, please fill out a request form.

Email: education@greaterclevelandaquarium.com

Phone: 216.862.8803 x 7715

Available Programs

[All Ages]
Explore the wonders of biodiversity at Greater Cleveland Aquarium in this specialized guided tour. Venture through each of the Aquarium galleries, meet hundreds of animals from a variety of ecosystems and ask Aquarium educators questions along the way. Engaging scavenger hunts are available. We’ll see catfish, stingrays, eels, sharks and so much more. Enhances standards in life science and science inquiry. (60-75 min) (Max 60 people)

[Preschool – Kindergarten]
During an interactive reading of Fitz the Fish Finds His Friends by Dakotah Pike, students become familiar with a variety of ocean creatures. Meet Fitz the yellow tang, Olivia the octopus and other aquatic pals to discover what makes each animal unique. In the Aquarium while looking for Fitz and his friends, students will explore colors, use observation skills and practice counting. Enhance standards in science and language arts. (15-20 min story time, 60 min self-guide) (Max 45 people)

[Preschool – Kindergarten]
After participating in an interactive reading of the Eric Carle tale A House for Hermit Crab, an Aquarium tour reveals the real-life animals that inspired Carle’s characters. Students join Aquarium educators on a search for the stars of the story. Discover shapes, colors and patterns of aquatic animals, and practice counting along the way. Enhances standards in life science, science inquiry and language arts. (75-90 min) (Max 60 people)

[Kindergarten – Grade 2]
Can a sandtiger shark live in Ohio? Can a channel catfish be found in the Atlantic Ocean? Explore the elements of a healthy habitat on this Aquarium adventure. Investigate both freshwater and saltwater environments, compare components of ponds to coral reefs using magnetic scenes, and discover how each unique habitat provides its animal residents with everything they need. Enhances standards in life science and science inquiry. (75-90 min) (Max 45 people)

[Kindergarten – Grade 2]
Investigate how living things have adaptations to help them get oxygen, find food, use water and seek shelter. Which animals breathe with lungs and which breathe with gills? Is there a fish that actually spits water to hunt? Who has the most impressive camouflage? Observe hundreds of amazing animal adaptations on a guided scavenger hunt through the Aquarium. Enhances standards in life science and science inquiry. (75-90 min) (Max 60 people)

[Grades 3 – 5]
Food Web Adventure takes young explorers on a journey from sunlight to supper, unraveling the intricate connections that sustain life in biodiverse habitats. Through an inquiry-based guided tour, participants dive into fishy feasts and discover how energy flows from plankton to predators in aquatic ecosystems. Find out who eats whom and how in this guided tour and scavenger hunt. Enhances standards in life science and science inquiry. (75-90 min) (Max 60 people)

[Grades 3 – 5]
Have you ever looked at the incredible plant-like fins of a weedy seadragon up close? Or the statue-like appearance of a Surinam toad doing its best to remain unseen? Investigate how different habitats support animal life and identify unique adaptations that allow living things to thrive in these distinct places. Equipped with an adaptation key, students engage in inquiry-based learning throughout the guided tour. There are so many different adaptations among the aquatic animals, observations and discoveries are endless. Enhances standards in life science, science inquiry and language arts. (75-90 min) (Max 45 people)

[Grades 6 – 8] 
From the Great Lakes to the Atlantic coral reefs, the Aquarium has a wide range of ecosystems from across the globe. Study biotic factors including plant and animal life, as well as abiotic factors including water temperature, salinity, pollution and more. Discover how each of these components interact to make up an ecosystem! An interactive guided tour immerses students in wonderous biodiversity. Enhances standards in life science, science inquiry and social studies. (60-75 min) (Max 45 people)

[Grade 6 – High School]
As interests develop and career ambitions start to form, exposure to STEM careers can be a key step in a student’s academic journey. As we explore the Aquarium through an interactive guided tour, we highlight STEM careers at our facility, the diversity of jobs it takes to run an Aquarium and how conservation passion can lead to a career path. We also tackle challenging and thought-provoking questions about conservation-related themes including environmental protection, sustainable alternatives and human impacts on ecosystems and biodiversity. Specific discussion topics differ for middle school and high school audiences. Enhances standards in science inquiry. (60-75 min) (Max 45 people)

We welcome program ideas from teachers! Contact us at education@greaterclevelandaquarium.com with suggestions.

More Information

How far in advance do you recommend booking?

Our program calendar fills first come, first served. March, April and May mornings typically fill completely by early February.

Can we reschedule our program?

Rescheduling is subject to availability.  We will try our best to accommodate. If you need to reschedule, please reach out as soon as possible.

What happens if we are running late? 

Please call 216.862.8803 and let us know if you are running late. We will do our best to accommodate, but we may need to shorten or adapt programming for groups arriving more than 15-20 minutes behind schedule.

Where do we go when we arrive?

The group leader should check in with an education team member in the Powerhouse lobby. Please have your final headcount of both students and chaperones and be ready to provide payment. Final cost will be calculated on the day of the visit.

Where can buses park?

Bus parking is free. Buses can drop off groups at the front door of the Powerhouse before parking in the rear of the parking lot. Bus drivers receive complimentary admission.

Are we able to self-guide through the Aquarium?  

Yes, groups are welcome to go back through the Aquarium and self-guide after programs. While self-guiding through the Aquarium, please make smaller chaperoned groups of 10 or fewer.  For a fully self-guided visit without an education program, view group sales options here.

Can we arrive before the program time to self-guide?

No, the guided program is always the start of a group visit.

Do you offer lunch space?

Yes, there is a shared indoor lunch space, with limited seating, subject to availability. Lunch space can be requested during the booking process. Lunches can be stored in this area during your visit, but we do not recommend leaving valuable items in this shared space. Tables and chairs are reserved using your estimated headcount, if this number changes by more than 5 people, please let us know prior to arrival.

Outdoor picnic-style areas are available on a first-come, first-served basis, weather permitting. The Aquarium does not provide storage space for groups eating outside, lunches should be left on the bus.

Are there any food options available on site? 

The Aquarium does not have lunch options on-site, all lunches must be brought in. There are snack and candy items available for purchase in the Gift Shop.

Are we able to visit the Gift Shop?

Students are welcome to visit the Gift Shop after the educational program is completed. While in the Gift Shop, students must be chaperoned in groups of 10 or fewer. Please let us know during booking if your students will have money to shop so we can staff the store appropriately.

Do you have a space to store coats and backpacks?

Coats and backpacks may be left in the shared program space. We recommend that valuable items remain with guests during the program. To help reduce the number of lost and found items, coats and backpacks could be left on the bus or in the car if possible. The Aquarium is not responsible for lost or stolen items.

Can adult chaperones pay individually?

To receive the discounted education rate of $11, adult chaperones must be included in the single school payment. Adults paying separately from the group will be charged regular admission $19.95.

What if a student or adult chaperone has an Annual Pass?

Everyone participating in the field trip program should pay the program rate of $11 and be included in the group headcount.

Is the Aquarium accessible?

The Aquarium is wheelchair accessible and is located on the lower floor of the building. A single wheelchair capacity lift is available to navigate from the lobby entrance to the Aquarium.

If your group has 5 or more guests using wheelchairs, please let us know at booking. A larger capacity elevator is available in a different area of the building. Additional information on Aquarium accessibly can be found here.

If you are booking a group with special needs and would prefer a self-guided visit, please click here for more information.