Special education Online Discovery Lab
When
Tues.–Fri. during school year
9 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. PT
Length
Location
Grades
Fees
Give your class a virtual Aquarium experience. Take your students on a journey into ocean science with an Online Discovery Lab! Aquarium educators lead this 45-minute live interactive Zoom presentation focusing on a marine or conservation topic. Each program comes with a self-paced online course that can be assigned to students before or after the live session.
Group information
Minimum 15 students, maximum 96 students per live session
- One program per classroom may be reserved per school year.
- The lead teacher must participate in the entire session.
- Up to three classrooms from the same school can join a single session.
Requirements
At this time, we are unable to offer programs on online learning software other than Zoom. The class should be prepared to join an Aquarium Zoom link.
- The teacher will need a webcam, wifi and Zoom installed on their device. Webcam will need to be facing the class.
- The lead teacher will receive an email 2 weeks prior to their scheduled program with detailed instructions on how to participate.
Topics by grade level
Feathered Families
(Grades PreK-2)
Students explore how penguins care for their young and how people and birds are alike and different. Using video and images unique to the Monterey Bay Aquarium, students engage in empathy-building science conversations and interactive activities. Before or after the live session with an Aquarium educator, students are encouraged to complete bird-related lessons in our self-paced online course.
Next Generation Science Standards
- Science and Engineering Practices
- Constructing Explanations and Designing Solutions
- Disciplinary Core Ideas
- Supports LS1.B
- Crosscutting Concepts
- Patterns
Survival Strategies
(Grades 3-5)
In this program, students explore the body parts and behaviors that help rocky shore animals survive. Using video and images unique to Aquarium animals and exhibits, students engage in science conversations and interactive activities. Before or after the live session with an Aquarium educator, students are encouraged to complete related lessons in our self-paced online course.
Next Generation Science Standards
- Science and Engineering Practices
- Engaging in Argument from Evidence
- Disciplinary Core Ideas
- Supports LS4-C
- Crosscutting Concepts
- Structure and Function
Tips for Virtual Tide Talks
How to prepare
Zoom link delivery: Two weeks before your program, you'll receive an email containing your Zoom link.
Program day log-in: On the day of your program, please log in to Zoom 10 minutes early to ensure smooth connectivity. This allows time for any troubleshooting, and we can chat briefly before starting. You'll be sent to an online waiting room until your lab begins, but you will be able to test your camera, microphone and speakers from the waiting room. As the classroom teacher, you'll be granted co-host permissions for the duration of the program.
Presentation method: The recommended delivery method for this program is presenting to the whole class from the front of the room. When presenting from the front of the room, please position a webcam to face the class.
Additional participants: Please note that additional adults and siblings are not encouraged to participate.
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.