You know which fish are the smartest? The ones that spend the most time in schools, of course!

To salute some of the (sea) stars of learning, we’re inviting all classroom educators to add a splash of fun to their return to academia with a FREE visit. During Back-to-Schooling September, pre-K – college educators are invited to enjoy a no-cost aquatic adventure. In addition to free admission and parking (with validation), teachers who visit in September are also eligible for 10% off any level Annual Pass AND will be entered for a chance to win a $100 Staples® gift card to help with student or office supplies.

After going nose-to-nose with native turtles, peering at poison dart frogs, marveling over moon jellies, spotting seadragons and standing under sandtiger sharks, visiting educators have the opportunity to check out an array of educational, curriculum-based program and fieldtrip options that can help energize students’ curiosity about the natural world.

FREE for classroom educators with valid ID.

This limited time offer applies solely to the educator and 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 front Ticket Counter the day of their visit.

Offer includes parking with ticket validation but does not cover family, friends or guests.

Haunted Harbor Yoga

Saturday, October 19, 8:30 – 9:30am

Spooky season can be relaxing! Open to all levels and ages 13+, this intimate class of 10 offers you the unique opportunity to strike a Vinyasa corpse pose in front of sharks, stingrays and a few skeletons. Enjoy a 60-minute session with yoga instructor Susan, who wants to help you connect with your mat, your body and your soul.

$25 general, $6 Passholders  

Registration includes same-day Greater Cleveland Aquarium admission and $5 from every ticket purchased benefits the conservation and education efforts of the Splash Fund.

Pumpkins & Piranhas

Thursday, October 24 (Passholder Night)

Friday, October 25 – Sunday, October 27 (All Welcome!)

Monday, October 28 (Sensory Friendly Experience)

Passholder Night (October 24, 5-8pm) – Annual Passholders can enjoy family friendly activities, entertainment, underwater jack-o-lanterns, costumed divers and all the other Pumpkins & Piranhas fun with others as familiar with the Aquarium as they are on this special night exclusively for Members!  Reminder: You MUST be logged into your Passholder account to register for discounted or free programs. Questions? Call 216.862.8803 x7717.

Pumpkins & Piranhas (October 25 – 27, 5-8pm) – Pint-sized superheroes, vampires, movie characters, ghosts, goblins and their caregivers are invited to explore Lake “Eerie” and the deep “BOO!” sea during Pumpkins & Piranhas. No child wants to pull a coat on over their costume, so we’re excited to offer a Halloween event that’s perfect for any weather.  The not-so-spooky bash features an activity booklet spotlighting misunderstood animals, underwater jack-o’-lanterns, costumed diver interactions, Halloween-themed décor and music, animal encounters, pop-up appearances by our friendly landshark mascot Finn and a rotating array of nightly entertainment that ranges from face painting to bubbles to fortune telling.

Sensory Night (October 28, 5-8pm) – A KultureCity Sensory Inclusive™ certified venue, the Aquarium is offering a sensory friendly Halloween experience with limited noise, softened lighting and adjusted activities to ensure a comfortable environment for those who could benefit from a reduction in external stimuli.

The evening still features entertainment, underwater jack-o-lanterns, diver interactions, Halloween-themed décor, an activity booklet and a treat bag for the youngsters as they exit.

5-8pm 

Last admission 7pm.

Adults & children are invited to attend Pumpkins & Piranhas in costume. If adults choose to don a disguise, we do ask they have a good field of vision and keep their outfits family friendly.

General Adult (13+) $19.95
General Child (2-12) $16.95
Under 2 FREE
Adult & Child Passholders $5

Capacity limited. Advance tickets strongly recommended to ensure entry.

The Aquarium’s Education team is hosting a separate online “Wild, Weird & Creepy Creatures” program (Wednesday, October 30, 4 – 4:30pm – $10 per screen, free for Passholders) exploring the salamander’s slimy skin, the octopus’s ability to color change and other unusual adaptations.

Educators of grades 6-12 are invited to join a NOAA Ocean Exploration facilitator Saturday, November 2, 8:30am – 4pm here at Greater Cleveland Aquarium for a full-day, in-person professional development workshop. Together we’ll dive into the diverse reasons for why it is important to explore the ocean and the variety of tools and technologies that drive how we conduct expeditions in some of the most remote places on the planet.

The fun-filled, full-day workshop includes:

• A brief introduction to NOAA Ocean Exploration and why and how we explore the ocean
• Several lessons and hands-on activities that support current science standards and classroom pedagogy to bring the excitement and mystery of deep-sea exploration alive for students
• Reflection and discussion with peer educators about how to implement these materials in the classroom
• A guided tour of additional free, online ocean education resources available from NOAA Ocean Exploration and the Deep Ocean Education Project website

This NOAA Ocean Exploration professional development for educators is offered in partnership with Greater Cleveland Aquarium and the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation.

Want to share with your colleagues? Download an Exploring the Deep Ocean with NOAA flyer to post at your school.

FREE for classroom educators grades 6-12

Space is limited. Registration is REQUIRED no later than 10/19/24.

Registered educators will receive a collection of classroom-ready resources to continue exploring the deep ocean with NOAA in their classrooms that includes student investigations, videos, fact sheets, and more. Additionally, educators that attend the full day, in-person workshop will receive a NOAA Ocean Exploration Certificate of Participation and a $100 stipend.

This professional development workshop is an updated version of previous Exploring the Deep Ocean with NOAA, Why Do We Explore, and How Do We Explore workshops.

We are offering active duty military, veterans and first responders* free admission and free parking (with validation at the Ticket Counter) November 8 – 11, 2024.

Eligible guests must present appropriate ID. Appreciation offer is only available in-person. Please do not purchase tickets online if you intend to take advantage of this offer. It cannot be combined with other discounts or offers.

*Eligible guests include active-duty military, veterans or reservists, physicians, nurses, police officers, sheriff/sheriff’s deputies, correctional officers, state troopers, federal law enforcement officers, career firefighters, volunteer firefighters, EMTs, paramedics and/or dispatchers with ID. (Does not apply to accompanying family members or guests.)

Sensory Hour

Saturday, December 7, 8:30 – 9:30am

We are opening an hour early exclusively for guests with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) and sensory processing differences to provide an opportunity exploring nearby lakes and faraway oceans in a comfortable and accepting environment. Not only will there be fewer guests but for that hour the Aquarium team also will limit the use of microphones, soften lighting and reduce noise to ensure a comfortable environment for all participants.

Greater Cleveland Aquarium is certified sensory inclusive by KultureCity, an internationally recognized organization that promotes an accommodating and positive experience for guests with sensory issues. KultureCity sensory bags outfitted with noise-canceling headphones, fidget tools and verbal cue cards are now available to borrow as needed on a first-come, first-served basis. Dedicated areas also have been identified for those who may require a quieter environment.

$19.95 (ages 13+), $13.95 (ages 2-12), Passholders, children younger than 2 and working caregivers FREE

We are offering active duty military, veterans and first responders* free admission and free parking (with validation at the Ticket Counter) August 30 – September 2, 2024.

Eligible guests must present appropriate ID. Appreciation offer is only available in-person. Please do not purchase tickets online if you intend to take advantage of this offer. It cannot be combined with other discounts or offers.

*Eligible guests include active-duty military, veterans or reservists, physicians, nurses, police officers, sheriff/sheriff’s deputies, correctional officers, state troopers, federal law enforcement officers, career firefighters, volunteer firefighters, EMTs, paramedics and/or dispatchers with ID. (Does not apply to accompanying family members or guests.)