The National Aquarium in Baltimore, Maryland may seem like an obvious choice for a science field trip… and it is, which is totally okay! Located in the Inner Harbor of Baltimore, the National Aquarium is an excellently designed location, filled to the brim with learning opportunities in the realm of biology and environmental science!
The layout and design of the National Aquarium is beautifully done. The Pavilions are set-up in such a way that there is a designated path for visitors to follow… making it nearly impossible to miss anything in the aquarium! This is great because each floor not only houses different types of sea creatures but also focuses on different topics from creatures native to Maryland to survival skills out at sea. The entire aquarium has just about every imaginable marine related topic built in… but that doesn’t mean learning stops there!
While at the aquarium…
Take advantage of the topics presented! The tanks on each floor are positioned to correspond with whatever topic is the floor’s focus. Try and make connections from the animals to the displays on the walls. Use this to foreshadow conversations that could occur back in the classroom and get kids thinking!
Back in the classroom…
Because the topics in the aquarium are so nicely displayed it isn’t too difficult to lead discussion back in the classrooms. Topics ranged from survival skills, to habitats, to pollution and connections are easily made to everyday life.
- For younger kids: Focus on habitats. How were the habitats different for certain creatures? Why? What basic needs could be found in each habitat (food, shelter, etc.)? Then connect to the students’ lives. What is your habitat like? What basic needs can you find in your habitat?
- For older kids: Talk about adaptation and survival skills. What do creatures do to adapt to their surrounding (from coral reef to open ocean)? Then connect back to students’ lives. What do you do to adapt to your surrounding (when it gets cold, dark, when you sense danger, etc.)?
- For even older kids: This is a great chance to talk about conservation. In what ways do we, as humans, affect marine life? Talk about current events (oil spills, etc.) and connect back to students’ lives. What can you do in your life to help marine creatures?
The connections are already set up so well at the aquarium… so it’s not difficult to point them out back in the classroom!
In a nutshell, the National Aquarium is overflowing with science. And because the museum is designed in such a way that you are almost guaranteed to see everything… you’re almost guaranteed to find something to discuss back in the classroom! As always, remember to take advantage of the museum while you are there and then make connections to life back in the classroom…it’s the best way to keep your head above water!
