Educator account FAQs

To book a field trip, you must create an account and affiliate your schools in the My Schools portal. (see instructions under “How do I book a field trip?”) This is different from creating an account as a member or visitor to the Monterey Bay Aquarium. These accounts don’t use passwords. Instead, we use a secure login method often called a magic link. Each time you go to the login page, enter your email address and select “Log in”. Then, check your inbox and select the link we send you to securely access your account.

Within the My Schools portal you will be able to book field trips, review your current reservations, cancel any reservations that are more than two weeks away, and manage your school affiliation(s).

Having trouble accessing your account in the My Schools portal? Email us at schoolprograms@mbayaq.org. A member of our team will reach out to you within 72 hours, excluding holidays.

To book a field trip, you will start by logging in to the My Schools portal.

• Log in to the My Schools portal.
  • If you have not yet made an account, enter your first and last name and email address and then select “Create Account.”
  • If you have already made an account, select “Log in” and enter your email address.
• You will be sent a login link to the email address affiliated with your account.

Next, you will affiliate your school.

• Once you have logged in to the My Schools portal, you will see our field trip booker. Select “Add New School Affiliation” in the top right corner.
• Search for your school by name, address, or NCES number.
• Select your school from the drop down list and select “Save.”
• Your school will now be listed under “School Affiliations.”
  • If you’ve never visited before, it may take a few days for your school to be verified.
  • Don’t see your school? Email us at schoolprograms@mbayaq.org.

Finally, you will be able to select and book your field trip.

• In the My Schools portal, next to your school’s name, select “Book field trip.” You will be directed to our calendar.
• Enter the number of students you intend to bring and your group’s grade band to view availability. You can further filter the results by selecting your preferred dates and/or preferred field trip type.
• Available dates will appear as selectable boxes. If you cannot select a date, it has been fully booked. If a particular field trip type or time slot does not appear, it has been fully booked.
• Once you have chosen your trip type, progress to the next page and enter your information and progress until the form is completed.
• Your trip is not confirmed until you receive a confirmation email from us with your reservation details including order number. You will also be able to view and manage your field trip reservations on the “My Field Trips” tab within your My Schools portal. 

Follow these steps to log into your account:

• Log in to the My Schools portal.
  • If you have not yet made an account, enter your first and last name and email address and then select “Create Account.”
  • If you have already made an account, select “Log in” and enter your email address.
• You will be sent a login link to the email address affiliated with your account.

Educator accounts are separate from member accounts. If you already have a member account, you will still need to create an educator account via the My Schools portal. You will not be able to log in to your educator account via the membership portal.

Still unable to log in? Email us with the details of the issue at schoolprograms@mbayaq.org. A member of our team will reach out to you within 72 hours, excluding holidays. 

Due to high demand, field trip availability is limited. If you would like to reschedule your field trip program, follow these steps:

• Log in to the My Schools portal.
• Book a new program at your desired time/date.
• Cancel your previous reservation.
  • If your previous reservation is more than two weeks,  switch to the “My Field Trips” tab to review your orders and select the blue cancel button on the reservation you no longer need.
  • If your previous reservation is less than two weeks, please email schoolprograms@mbayaq.org or call 831.648.4800 with your reservation details: order number, date of the reservation, school name, and your name.

Due to program capacities, we may not be able to accommodate additional students beyond your reservation.

Please email schoolprograms@mbayaq.org or call 831.648.4800 with your reservation information (school name, teacher name, program title, program date, order number). A member of our team will reach out to you within 72 hours, excluding holidays.

Looking for information to help prepare for a field trip reservation? Visit the Plan your field trip page.

Have a different question? Check out our Kelp Desk by selecting the blue and white chat bubble in the lower right hand corner of your screen.

Still need help? Please email schoolprograms@mbayaq.org or call us at 831.648.4800 and leave a message. A member of our team will reach out to you within 72 hours, excluding holidays.