Back-to-Schooling September

As students and educators dive back into the classroom, Greater Cleveland Aquarium presents Back-To-Schooling September, September 1 – 30, 10am – 5pm. The annual celebration of education and educators features fun, school-themed experiences for learners of all ages as well as free Aquarium admission (and parking!) for educators. *

In addition to sharks and scuba Q&As, narrated habitat feedings and up-close animal encounters, Aquarium guests in September have the chance to:

• Discover which fish, reptiles, amphibians or birds were named “Best Dressed” or “Most Likely to Make a Splash” on a superlatives scavenger hunt,
• Earn a gold sea star sticker at our Discovery Carts for playing “Can You Make the Grade?”, an “Are you smarter than a 5th grader”-style trivia game of plant, animal and ecosystem dynamics.

Classroom educators visiting in September are eligible for the chance to win a Back-to-Schooling prize pack that includes a one-year Family-level Greater Cleveland Aquarium membership, valued at $130, and a $200 Gift Shop prize pack featuring books, a backpack, a coffee mug and more.

For educators unable to visit in person, the Aquarium’s Education department will run a FREE live, 60-minute virtual program/open house Tuesday, September 15, from 4:30-5:30pm. Our educator will walk you through the Aquarium as if you were on a guided tour. This session will provide an opportunity to ask questions about our programming and get a firsthand look at how a field trip could look and operate for your class. Registration is required.

 

Registration is also required for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s FREE, daylong professional development workshop for grades 6-12 educators, Saturday, September 26 from 8:30am – 4pm.  Held at the Aquarium, “Exploring the Deep Ocean with NOAA” focuses on the importance of ocean exploration and how tools and technologies enable expeditions in some of the most remote places on the planet. Participants receive a $100 stipend, and breakfast and lunch will be provided.

$19.95 (ages 13 and older), $13.95 (ages 2-12), Passholders and children younger than 2 are FREE

Classroom educators (pre-K – college) with proof of employment are FREE*

* FREE admission, FREE parking with validation and a special “sea” star of academia button to all classroom educators throughout September is a limited time offer that applies solely to the educator and does not cover family, friends or guests. It is not available online. To access free admission during Back-To-Schooling September, pre-K/elementary/middle/high school teachers and college professors must present proof of employment at the Ticket Counter on the day of their visit. 

Exploring the Deep Ocean with NOAA
Saturday, September 26 from 8:30am – 4pm

Educators for grades 6-12 who want to plumb the depths of aquatic knowledge even further can register for a FREE, daylong professional development workshop. Focused on why ocean exploration is important and how tools and technologies allow exploration of some of the most remote places on the planet, this workshop includes breakfast, lunch, a $100 classroom stipend and six (6) CEU hours for participants.