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An educator holds a large red fish prop while speaking to a group of seated students who have their hands raised during an aquarium school program

Grades 3–5 Tide Talks

When

Tues.–Fri. during school year

Length

25 minutes

Location

Auditorium

Grades

3–5

Fees

Free

These 25-minute programs set the stage for a fun, focused visit! Enjoy the "inside stories" of the Monterey Bay Aquarium starting in the auditorium, where our educators use rich media to prepare your students and chaperones to explore the Aquarium and to provide them with a focus for their visit. Your group will continue to our exhibit areas where students and chaperones use an Aquarium-provided Exploration Booklet filled with activities designed to promote interesting conversations and focused observation at exhibits.

Program times and schedule

If you arrive after your designated arrival time, we may not be able to accommodate your students.

25 minutes + self-guided time

9:30 a.m. Program
9:15 a.m. arrival
9:30-9:55 a.m. program
11–11:30 a.m. lunch in Aquarium picnic area

10:15 a.m. Program
10 a.m. arrival
10:15–10:40 a.m. program
12:30–1 p.m. lunch in Aquarium picnic area

Group information

Minimum 60 students, maximum 140 students

  • A maximum of three consecutive grade levels, 3-5th grade, can be accommodated in one auditorium program.
  • Siblings not enrolled in the class with the reservation are not allowed to participate in the program.

Program topic

Sharks: The Real Story

Review the topic below to learn about the subject matter and Next Generation Science Standards for your program.

Sharks: are they frightening or fascinating? Begin your journey in the auditorium with an Aquarium educator who will give you the "real story" and share some behind-the-scenes footage of the Aquarium's work with sharks.

During this 25-minute introduction, we'll also look at the world's great diversity of sharks, learn about different sharks we exhibit here at the Aquarium, and hear about current shark research. By the time you leave, you'll be able to share a shark's "real story" with everyone back home.

Next Generation Science Standards

  • Science and Engineering Practices
    • Constructing Explanations and Designing Solutions
  • Disciplinary Core Ideas
    • Supports LS1.A
  • Crosscutting Concepts
    • Structure and Function

Booking your field trip

  • Select Book your field trip on our field trips webpage.
  • Create an account or log into an existing account.
  • Enter your group size and select your grade band to view our availability.
  • Select your preferred program and date from the listed options.
  • Complete the requested information and submit your booking.
  • Visit our Educator account FAQs for more specific information about booking.