K-12 Programs
Aquarium of the Bay, a division of BayEcotarium, provides immersive K-12 programs that allow students to discover the amazing world of San Francisco Bay through hands-on exploration experiences.
Our aquarium educator-led programs support the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) and include developmentally appropriate, and accessible STEM and conservation education activities.
Schools located in the nine Bay Area Counties can select either free K-12 self-guided tours or fee-based programs. For the 2023-2024 school year, our fee-based programs are only offered on certain days and receive a partial scholarship based on Title-1 status. All programs require a reservation, must be booked a minimum of three weeks in advance, and are only available on specific days and times each week. Our programs are very popular and book quickly, so be sure you don’t delay!
Email [email protected] if you have any questions. No bookings will be made over the phone or through email.
For the 2023-2024 School Year:
- Reservations for all field trip programs open on September 1, 2023.
Bay Academy Programs
eLearning Modules
Bay Academy eLearning modules are interactive online tools to help students learn about Climate Resilience and Ocean Conservation. This program is geared to meet Next Generation Science Standards for students in grades 7-12.
The Bioacoustics Program focuses on marine animal communication and behavior in relation to complex ecosystems within the Bay.
The Environmental Justice program focuses on the Hunter’s Point / Bayview area in San Francisco and the story of the effects of radioactive waste on the community. It also ties in similar instances of pollution sites and their connection to systemic inequality around the United States.
Aquarium Self-Guided Tours (K-12)
For groups that only have a limited time to visit Aquarium of the Bay, these tours are flexible and give your group an awe-inspiring look at life in San Francisco Bay.
Program Fee: Free for K-12 school groups from the nine Bay Area Counties (San Francisco, Marin, Sonoma, Napa, Solano, Contra Costa, Alameda, Santa Clara, and San Mateo).
Program Length: Approximately 1 hour
Days Offered: Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays (depending on availability)
Time Offered: Every 20 minutes between 11 am and 3:00 pm.
Number of Participants: Limit of 35 children and 10 adult chaperones per tour. Note: one (1) adult chaperone to five (5) students is gifted free admission. Every additional chaperone must pay for entrance. Groups larger than 45 participants will be split into smaller groups and tour start times will be scheduled in adjacent time slots or the closest available time slots.
Late Arrivals: Groups that arrive late will only be permitted entrance based on availability. If no time slots remain for the day, your group must reschedule.
Please Note:
- Aquarium of the Bay self-guided tours are FREE ONLY for Bay Area K-12 school groups.
- For non-Bay Area schools, youth, and after-school programs, please contact the Group Sales Department at [email protected] or 415-623-5326
Aquarium Classroom Programs (K-8)
Aquarium Classroom Programs offer your students a classroom experience by the Bay. These programs are coupled with a self-guided tour of Aquarium of the Bay to extend your students’ learning experience.
Program Length: 2.5 hours (includes self-guided Aquarium tour)
Days Offered: Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays
Times Offered: 10:15am-12:30pm
Number of Participants: Limit of 35 students and 10 adult chaperones per program.
Please Note: Must register 4 weeks in advance.
3D Print Lab (9-12)
Register today for our brand-new 3D Print Lab. Students learn the basics of 3D printing and the impacts of plastic pollution in this hands-on program..
Project WATERS (K-12)
Project WATERS (Watershed and Trout Education for Regional Stewardship) is an exciting program where teachers and students engage in amazing educational experiences in order to gain a greater appreciation and understanding of local aquatic ecosystems. The core of this program is participation in the California Department of Fish and Wildlife Trout in the Classroom program, in which classes host and raise young rainbow trout in their classroom. Teachers and students participating in the programs will also venture outside and receive special in-classroom lessons from our education team as part of this unique program.
Project WATERS is ONLY available for classes in San Francisco.
For more information or to apply to participate in Project WATERS for the 2023-2024 school year, please contact the Education Department at:
- 415.623.5342
- [email protected]
Aquarium of the Bay Exploration Tours
Explore Aquarium of the Bay’s exhibits and delve into the practices of science on these thematic guided tours.
Program Length: 1.5 hours
Days Offered: Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays
Times Offered: 10:15am, 11:30am
Number of Participants: Limit of 35 students and 10 adult chaperones per program.
Please Note: Exploration Tour programs are also available on afternoons and weekends. Call 415-623-5376 to inquire and learn more.
Discover the Bay Hybrid Ferry Programs
Led by an team of Aquarium Educators, this program provides an immersive learning experience of San Francisco Bay from on-board the Alcatraz Cruises Hybrid Ferry. Hands-on activities focus on Bay ecology, use of scientific instruments, and innovative energy saving technologies. These programs can be coupled with an optional self-guided tour of Aquarium of the Bay to extend your students’ learning experience.
Program Dates: On hiatus
Times Offered: 9:50am – 2:15pm (Aquarium self-guided tour is included)
Number of Participants: Limit of 45 total students and adult chaperones.
Please Note: This program is only available for 4th – 8th grade students. Maritime Mandatory requirement of 1 adult: 7 students ratio.
Project WATERS
Project WATERS (Watershed and Trout Education for Regional Stewardship) is an exciting program, where teachers and students engage in amazing educational experiences throughout the school year in order to gain a greater appreciation and understanding of local aquatic ecosystems. The core of this program is participation in the California Department of Fish and Wildlife Trout in the Classroom program, in which classes host young rainbow trout in their classroom. Teachers and students participating in the programs will also get outside and receive special in-classroom lessons as part of this unique program.
Project WATERS is only available for classes in San Francisco.
Special thanks to NOAA’s National Marine Sanctuaries for supporting Project WATERS for the 2017-2018 school year.
For more information or to apply to participate in Project WATERS for the 2017-2018 school year, please contact School, Youth, and Community Programs Manager, Maia Kolbeck, at 415-623-5305 or [email protected].
BayMobile: Bringing the Bay Your Way
The BayMobile is on hiatus.
BayMobile: Bringing the Bay Your Way
The BayMobile will return in Spring 2019. Check back later for further details.
