Mystic Aquarium & Institute for Exploration

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FREE! Aquarium Open House for Educators and Their Families
Thursday, October 8, 2009
6:15pm-8:00pm, please plan to enter before 7:00pm
Teachers and administrators are invited to bring their families for an evening of fun and information.  Learn all about the wide variety of educational opportunities that Mystic Aquarium & Institute for Exploration has to offer this school year, see the exhibits, check out our traveling programs that come right to your school, and meet our enthusiastic educators to discuss what we can provide for you and your students.  Also, enter to win exciting raffle prizes, including a Penguin encounter program!
Free of charge for educators and their families.

Thursday, November 5, 2009
9:30am – 12:30pm
Cost: $20
With decreasing school budgets, the idea of a field trip may seem challenging, but now is the time to start considering grant funding.  Join members of the Aquarium’s Development and Education teams to discover how you can find funding to support your classes’ aquarium programs.  Participants will learn how to locate potential funding sources, as well as helpful hints to make your next proposal stand out from the rest.

Tuesday, December 8, 2009
9:30am-12:30pm
Cost:  $20
Learn how to utilize the world's oceans as a tool for teaching science and math to students in your classroom.  Workshop participants will have the opportunity to partake in ocean based activities that can translate directly into engaging classroom programs.  Additionally, you will take home numerous resources for immmediate use in your classroom.

Thursday, January 14, 2010
9:30am – 12:30pm
Cost: $20
Whether your students are in preschool or high school, bringing environmental conservation directly into your classroom will benefit not only your school but also help develop a sense of responsibility in your students.  Aquarium staff will help you choose an environmental theme to focus on in your class and give you tips on how to weave conservation throughout your curriculum.

Saturday, March 13, 2010
9:30am - 1:30pm
Cost: $30; Appropriate for teachers Grade 6 - Adult
This thrilling class provides firsthand experience in uncovering the mystery of a marine mammal stranding.  Teachers will have the opportunity to be hands on during a necropsy, an animal autopsy, of a local stranded marine mammal.  This workshop will review marine mammal internal and external anatomy, the basics of pathology and information on marine mammal strandings.  Join us for this unique immersive learning experience!

Thursday, April 8, 2010
9:30am – 12:30pm
Cost: $20; Appropriate for teachers Pre-K - Grade 5
Let us help you unleash your creativity and discover ways to intertwine the marine world into everyday classroom learning.  Observe, draw, count, create and read your way around the Aquarium under the direction of our experienced education staff.  From fish printing to puppetry to field guide work, you will be amazed at how many interdisciplinary activities and approaches we have developed to engage your students in science.

Curriculum-embedded performance tasks are examples of teaching and learning activities that engage students in using inquiry process skills to deepen their understanding of concepts described in the science framework.  Mystic Aquarium & Institute for Exploration workshops combine a discussion of inquiry and the learning cycle model, including analysis of materials and completing the tasks.  Workshops also discuss how to make the tasks work in your classroom and how to weave them into your current curriculum.  Workshops can be held at the Aquarium or at your school.  Please contact MaryEllen at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or call 860.572.5955 ext.156 for additional information.

January-May 2010 Weekly evening seminar
Cost for Educators: $350
Enhance your knowledge of marine mammals.  In this weekly seminar, visiting scientists will discuss the natural history, evolution, anatomy, physiology, husbandry, cognition, behavior and conservation of these magnificent creatures.  Our expert speakers offer a wealth of knowledge you won’t find anywhere else!  Register by December 22, 2009.

Looking for additional information or resources related to a marine science topic you are teaching?  Contact 860-572-5955 ext 201 with requests for information, or to make an appointment to visit our reference library.