DENVER ATTRACTION FIELD GUIDE
Squid: Inside & Out — Up‑close squid dissection at Denver’s Downtown Aquarium
A 45‑minute classroom program for grades 6–12 that pairs hands‑on squid dissection with curriculum‑aligned instruction at the Downtown Aquarium.
Squid: Inside & Out — Up‑close squid dissection at Denver’s Downtown Aquarium.
Bring your school to the Downtown Aquarium for an in‑depth look at the world’s largest, fastest and most specialized invertebrate: the squid. This hands‑on classroom program has students working in partner teams to dissect a squid, explore its anatomy and meet Colorado state science standards while engaging directly with marine biology concepts.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
Hands‑on squid dissection
Students dissect squids in partner teams to examine internal and external anatomy, translating textbook concepts into tactile learning and teamwork.
Curriculum‑aligned science
The program is designed to meet Colorado state standards for middle and high school science, aligning the dissection and lessons with listed SC.MS and SC.HS learning goals.
Structured for school groups
Classroom capacity, chaperone requirements and a strict arrival policy shape the flow of the visit—plan your rosters and supervision to fit the aquarium’s group rules.
What the day feels like
What the program feels like
Short and focused, the 45‑minute classroom program moves quickly from introduction to hands‑on dissection and discussion. Students rotate through paired dissection work while instructors connect structures to function and broader marine biology themes, making the session both tactile and standards‑driven.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who this program suits—and who should plan differently.
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
The classroom program runs 45 minutes. Please arrive at least 10 minutes before your scheduled start; late arrivals beyond 10 minutes result in cancellation and are non‑refundable.
Chaperones should wear the provided 'Chaperone' sticker; students are recommended to wear name tags with school and contact info. Keep lunches in backpacks or on the bus and dress warmly for outdoor dining.
Due to classroom space limits, only one teacher plus up to five additional adults may attend the Classroom Program; additional adults can visit the aquarium while students are in class. There is no storage area for lunches, coats or backpacks.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
What is the minimum group size?
School groups must have a minimum of 10 students or you will be charged for a minimum of 10.
Is there a maximum group size for the classroom program?
The maximum group size for this classroom program is 40 students per hour time slot; if you have more students you will need to book an additional hour time slot.
What chaperone ratio is required?
A minimum of one chaperone for every 10 students is required; the aquarium recommends a 1:5 adult to student ratio and adults within that ratio are free.
What happens if our group is late?
If you are more than 10 minutes late for your classroom program, it will be cancelled and is non‑refundable.
Where should students keep their lunches and belongings?
The aquarium does not have storage for lunches, coats or backpacks; plan to keep lunches in backpacks or on the bus and eat on the grass next to the aquarium, or use extremely limited indoor space in poor weather.
Can additional adults attend the classroom session?
Due to space constraints, only one teacher and five other adults will be admitted to the Classroom Programs; additional adults are welcome to visit the aquarium while their students are in class.