DENVER ATTRACTION FIELD GUIDE
Jawesome Sharks: A Denver Classroom That Lets Students Test Evolution in Real Time
A 45-minute, standards-aligned classroom program at the Downtown Aquarium where students probe shark adaptations through hands-on activities—book at least three weeks in advance to secure a field-trip slot.
Jawesome Sharks: A Denver Classroom That Lets Students Test Evolution in Real Time.
Jawesome Sharks is an education program run by the Downtown Aquarium’s Education and Group Sales team in Denver that turns the aquarium classroom into a working lab: students run through a series of hands-on activities that pit shark adaptations against competition and environmental change to illuminate natural selection and other core concepts in marine science.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
Hands-on experiments that teach natural selection
Learners participate in interactive simulations that test shark adaptations and demonstrate how competition for resources and environmental change drive survival, with content aligned to Colorado State Standards.
Built for secondary science classrooms
The program is designed for older students and ties directly to state standards, making it a practical extension of classroom curricula on evolution and adaptation.
Easy-to-book, structured school visit
Classroom programs must be reserved in advance and are scheduled in hour-long blocks to accommodate groups and curriculum goals, enabling predictable planning for teachers and chaperones.
What the day feels like
What the visit feels like
The experience condenses a lab-like inquiry into a focused session: students gather in the aquarium classroom, engage in guided, hands-on activities that simulate competition and environmental pressures, and emerge with concrete examples of adaptation and selection that reinforce classroom lessons.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who this program suits — and who should plan alternatives.
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
Classroom programs must be booked at least three weeks in advance; register and pay online or contact the School Group Sales Coordinator for invoice/check arrangements.
Name tags for students (including school and teacher contact), sack lunches kept on the bus or taken to outdoor picnic areas, and sensible clothing for indoor aquarium spaces; note there is no on-site storage for lunches, coats, or backpacks.
Plan to arrive at least 10 minutes before your scheduled classroom time to check in; the aquarium issues chaperone stickers that serve as tickets for the visit.
Register and pay online; if your school needs an invoice or to pay by check, call the School Group Sales Coordinator to arrange alternative payment methods.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
How long is the Jawesome Sharks program?
The classroom program runs for 45 minutes.
How far in advance do we need to book?
Classroom programs must be booked at least three weeks in advance.
What are the group-size rules?
School groups must have a minimum of 10 students (you will be charged for 10 if fewer attend); the classroom program’s maximum is 30 students per one-hour time slot—book an additional slot for larger groups.
What are the chaperone requirements?
The aquarium recommends a 1:5 adult-to-student ratio; a minimum of one chaperone is required for every ten students. Adults within the recommended ratio attend free. Only the 1:5 ratio of adults can attend the classroom session due to space limits.
How do payments and final headcounts work?
Register and pay online; at check-in the aquarium can charge or refund the card on file based on the final headcount. If you need an invoice or to pay by check, call the School Group Sales Coordinator to make arrangements.
Is there storage for lunches, backpacks, or strollers?
No. The Downtown Aquarium has no storage area for lunches, coats, or backpacks—keep lunches on the bus or use outdoor seating; siblings and strollers are not allowed in Classroom Programs.
What happens if the group is late?
If you are more than 10 minutes late for your classroom program, it will be cancelled and is non-refundable.
Who do we contact to arrange special payment or invoice options?
Call the School Group Sales Coordinator at 303-561-4444 to arrange an invoice or payment by check.