CITY CENTER ATTRACTION FIELD GUIDE
Behind the Glass: A 45‑Minute Home‑School Classroom at Downtown Aquarium
A focused, educator-led program for home-school students ages 11–18 that pairs a behind-the-scenes classroom lesson and animal ambassador visits with a self-guided exhibit tour.
Behind the Glass: A 45‑Minute Home‑School Classroom at Downtown Aquarium.
Set in the Downtown Aquarium in City Center, this Home School Day classroom program places students aged 11–18 inside the operational world of a living aquarium: a 45-minute, educator-led session that combines behind-the-scenes science—water chemistry, filtration and animal care—with visits from animal ambassadors and admission to the exhibits for a self-guided tour.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
Behind-the-Scenes at the Waterline
Students learn the chemistry and technology that keep a million gallons of water habitable: the nitrogen cycle and the three types of filtration used in the Aquarium’s water cycle are explained by expert educators in a 45-minute classroom session.
Animal Ambassadors and Live Encounters
The program includes visits from animal ambassadors, giving students an up-close chance to observe and engage with aquatic life while learning about conservation, adaptation, food webs, habitats, locomotion and defense.
Self-Guided Exhibit Access
Classroom programs include admission for the student and a self-guided tour of the Aquarium exhibits at no extra fee, letting learners explore displays on their own after the educator-led session.
What the day feels like
What It Feels Like
The program moves deliberately: an educator-led, 45-minute classroom lesson pulls back the curtain on aquarium operations and ecology, animal ambassadors arrive to illustrate the topics, and students then flow into a self-guided tour of the exhibits—an efficient blend of instruction, live demonstration and independent exploration.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who gets the most from this program — and who should look elsewhere.
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
Pack weather-appropriate outerwear and any required materials; dress warmly—the program recommends planning to eat lunches outdoors on the adjacent grass in fair weather.
Lunches must be kept outside; the Aquarium does not have storage for lunches, coats or backpacks. In poor weather, extremely limited indoor space may be available.
If you plan to dine at the Aquarium restaurant, call ahead for reservations.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
How long is the classroom program?
The classroom program runs for 45 minutes.
What ages can attend the Home School Day classroom?
The class is for students ages 11–18 (grades 6–12); younger siblings and adults are not permitted in the classroom due to space constraints.
How much does the student program cost?
The student rate for ages 11–18 is $9.50; student class price includes admission to the exhibits.
Can adults attend the classroom with students?
No. Adults must purchase a separate self-guided tour ticket for admission; the classroom is limited to students ages 11–18.
How do I register and pay?
Pre-registration is required; register online and submit payment to reserve your spot. Tickets purchased the day of the event at the Ticket Office will be full price—no discounted payment at the door.
Are there limits on how many programs a child can attend?
Yes. There is a registration maximum of two programs per child.
Where can we eat lunch and is there storage?
Plan to keep lunches outside; food may be enjoyed on the grass next to the Aquarium. The Aquarium does not have storage for lunches, coats or backpacks.