Participants make Eric Carle’s A House for Hermit Crab come to life with costumes, hand motions, and a tinge of acting. After helping hermit crab find his new home, participants meet the real animals from the story. We learn about the interesting characteristics of hermit crabs, sea stars, sea urchins, and sea snails by getting up close and personal with these live animals. Best for Pre-K through First Grade.

Classroom and Small Group Program (maximum of 30 students):
$100 for initial program
$50   for each repeat of same program same day

Large Group Program (31 to 150 students):
$200 for initial program
$100 for each repeat of same program same day

All animals speak - just in different ways. Discover the hidden world of some of North Carolina’s marine invertebrates in this live animal presentation. Participants will fine-tune their observation skills while exploring snails, crabs, sea stars, urchins, and other sea creatures. Best for grades three and up.

Classroom and Small Group Program (maximum of 30 students):
$100 for initial program
$50   for each repeat of same program same day

Large Group Program (31 to 150 students):
$200 for initial program
$100 for each repeat of same program same day

Take a closer look at treasures we find on North Carolina’s beaches. Educators bring a sampling of the marine invertebrates that make many of our beautiful shells. Next time you take a stroll on the beach, teach your companions all about the mermaid’s purses, shark teeth, seashells, and sand dollars you find!

Classroom and Small Group Program (maximum of 30 students):
$100 for initial program
$50   for each repeat of same program same day

Large Group Program (31 to 150 students):
$200 for initial program
$100 for each repeat of same program same day

What do sharks, seahorses, and eels have in common? They’re all fish! Fish come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Join us as we learn the characteristics of fish and uncover some of the facts and myths of these fantastic animals through interactive activities, props, and meeting a live seahorse.

Classroom and Small Group Program (maximum of 30 students):
$100 for initial program
$50   for each repeat of same program same day

Large Group Program (31 to 150 students):
$200 for initial program
$100 for each repeat of same program same day

Do you know what ocean animal is famous for its sting? See jellies up close and learn about one of the most numerous animals in our oceans. Find out about the important role they play in their ocean habitat. Participants, 2nd grade and up will explore the jelly life cycle through interactive activities and props. Pre-K and Kindergarten through First Grade participants will go on a Journey with a Jelly with our animated story to experience a day in the life of a jelly.

Classroom and Small Group Program (maximum of 30 students):
$100 for initial program
$50   for each repeat of same program same day

Large Group Program (31 to 150 students):
$200 for initial program
$100 for each repeat of same program same day

Sea Turtles need our help STAT! Participants discover some of the challenges that these protected species face by taking on the roles of sea turtle Veterinarians. Together we diagnose our sea turtle patients' injury or illness and we discuss the best treatment so that our patients can return to the sea. No live sea turtles are included in this presentation, though their land and freshwater turtle friends will visit to aid in understanding characteristics and adaptations that each type of turtle needs for life in its habitat.

Classroom and Small Group Program (maximum of 30 students):
$100 for initial program
$50   for each repeat of same program same day

Large Group Program (31 to 150 students):
$200 for initial program
$100 for each repeat of same program same day

Tadpole to toad, planula to medusa, hatchling to turtle! There are a multitude of life cycles happening around the Aquarium! We will share the life cycles of several Aquarium animals with your students and provide interactive activities and a chance to meet the animals up close.

Classroom and Small Group Program (maximum of 30 students):
$100 for initial program
$50   for each repeat of same program same day

Large Group Program (31 to 150 students):
$200 for initial program
$100 for each repeat of same program same day

Delve into ocean acidification, its causes, and its effects on many of the animals who call the ocean home. Students participate in lab demonstrations and interactive activities to learn why the ocean is becoming more acidic. They also meet many of the animals who will be impacted by this change in their environment. Best for grades 4 and up.

Classroom and Small Group Program (maximum of 30 students):
$100 for initial program
$50   for each repeat of same program same day

Large Group Program (31 to 150 students):
$200 for initial program
$100 for each repeat of same program same day

Where are the cures for cancer, Alzheimer’s disease and the common cold? In the ocean! Explore different medicines and the ocean animals that they come from, including meeting live examples of these animals. Your students will be fascinated to learn about the importance of maintaining ocean biodiversity in order to develop new medicines. Best for grades 6 and up.

Classroom and Small Group Program (maximum of 30 students):
$100 for initial program
$50   for each repeat of same program same day

Large Group Program (31 to 150 students):
$200 for initial program
$100 for each repeat of same program same day

Are they fish? Reptiles? What group of animals do these slimy critters belong to? Even though frogs, toads and salamanders are common residents of many local neighborhoods, most people know very little about them. Our live amphibians and activities will definitely leave you croaking for more!

Classroom and Small Group Program (maximum of 30 students):
$100 for initial program
$50   for each repeat of same program same day

Large Group Program (31 to 150 students):
$200 for initial program
$100 for each repeat of same program same day

Do you know your Nature Neighbors? Are you a good neighbor? Discover your wild neighbors of eastern North Carolina and identify which ones have celebrity status as official state symbols of North Carolina. You may even have a celebrity encounter when you meet a few of these native animals.

Classroom and Small Group Program (maximum of 30 students):
$100 for initial program
$50   for each repeat of same program same day

Large Group Program (31 to 150 students):
$200 for initial program
$100 for each repeat of same program same day

North Carolina's freshwater wetland habitats provide food, shelter, nurseries, and play space for native wildlife species. What happens when a wetland becomes unhealthy? How can we tell its unhealthy? Participants become Habitat Fixer-Uppers by taking action to diagnose and clean up wetland habitat while meeting some of the animal species that call the freshwater wetlands home and learning how wetlands are important to us too.

Classroom and Small Group Program (maximum of 30 students):
$100 for initial program
$50   for each repeat of same program same day

Large Group Program (31 to 150 students):
$200 for initial program
$100 for each repeat of same program same day

Reptiles have been around since dinosaurs walked the earth, and some of them have changed very little! Meet a few of these fascinating creatures and learn how they have adapted to survive so successfully.

Classroom and Small Group Program (maximum of 30 students):
$100 for initial program
$50   for each repeat of same program same day

Large Group Program (31 to 150 students):
$200 for initial program
$100 for each repeat of same program same day

Have you ever heard the song of the frog? Why do they sing? Meet a few native frog and toad species and try your hand at identifying them by their calls.

Classroom and Small Group Program (maximum of 30 students):
$100 for initial program
$50   for each repeat of same program same day

Large Group Program (31 to 150 students):
$200 for initial program
$100 for each repeat of same program same day

Is a turtle's shell its home? Help us answer this age old question as we examine the lives of North Carolina’s land, freshwater, and sea turtles. Learn about turtle behavior, feeding habits, anatomy, and find out what you can do to help protect these fascinating reptiles. Program includes live terrestrial and freshwater turtles.

Looking for a Sea Turtle Program?

You found it! We frequently present a modified version of “Turtle Time” which focuses on the lives of Sea Turtles, but still incorporates live turtles, though unfortunately we are not able to bring live sea turtles.

Classroom and Small Group Program (maximum of 30 students):
$100 for initial program
$50   for each repeat of same program same day

Large Group Program (31 to 150 students):
$200 for initial program
$100 for each repeat of same program same day

Hundreds of amazing plants and animals can be found in freshwater wetlands throughout North America. Meet some of our North Carolina wetland inhabitants. Discover how they are connected to one another and how we are connected to the wetlands to better understand why it is so important to protect this unique habitat. Program does include live wetland animals.

Classroom and Small Group Program (maximum of 30 students):
$100 for initial program
$50   for each repeat of same program same day

Large Group Program (31 to 150 students):
$200 for initial program
$100 for each repeat of same program same day

Get to know an ancient North Carolina native in this interactive live animal program on the American Alligator. You’ll be amazed as you learn about the numerous adaptations helping these giants survive.

Classroom and Small Group Program (maximum of 30 students):
$100 for initial program
$50   for each repeat of same program same day

Large Group Program (31 to 150 students):
$200 for initial program
$100 for each repeat of same program same day

Connect with an Aquarium Educator to get to know an ancient North Carolina native in this interactive live animal program on the American Alligator. You’ll be amazed as you learn about the numerous adaptations helping these giants survive.

$100 for initial program
$50   for each repeat of same program same day

Connect with an aquarium Educator to delve into ocean acidification, its causes, and its effects on many of the animals who call the ocean home. Students participate in lab demonstrations and interactive activities to learn why the ocean is becoming more acidic. They also meet many of the animals who will be impacted by this change in their environment. Best for grades 4 and up.

$100 for initial program
$50   for each repeat of same program same day

It's sticky. It's slippery. It's slime! Participants will learn about animals that make their own slime and discover just what it's good for. Then they will meet a couple of slimy aquarium animals up close and personal.

Classroom and Small Group Program (maximum of 30 students):
$100 for initial program
$50   for each repeat of same program same day

Large Group Program (31 to 150 students):
$200 for initial program
$100 for each repeat of same program same day

A sea urchin who loves to play dress-up? A turtle with a snorkel for a nose? Meet North Carolina natives whose costumes and acting skills help them survive in the wild. Let these freaky and sometimes creepy friends help you get ready for the spookiest night of the year.

Classroom and Small Group Program (maximum of 30 students):
$100 for initial program
$50   for each repeat of same program same day

Large Group Program (31 to 150 students):
$200 for initial program
$100 for each repeat of same program same day

Give the gift of education by sponsoring the Fort Fisher Aquarium outreach to visit your child’s classroom as a birthday gift or for any other special occasion. We’ll present a classroom animal program, but it will be sponsored by you as a gift to the entire class! Choose from a variety of topics to reflect the interests of your child and be sure to check with your child’s teacher before scheduling a date.

Classroom and Small Group Program (maximum of 30 students):
$100 for initial program
$50   for each repeat of same program same day

Large Group Program (31 to 150 students):
$200 for initial program
$100 for each repeat of same program same day

What would you need if you were going on a big adventure into the ocean? Every year, baby sea turtles hatch on North Carolina beaches and they start out on that great adventure. With their big eyes to see the sights and their strong turtle instincts, they navigate the ocean until its their time to return to the beach for nesting. Along the way, the moons of the sea help to guide them, but things aren't always what they seem. No live sea turtles are included in this presentation, though participants will get up close and personal with a sea turtle's favorite moon - a moon jelly.

Classroom and Small Group Program (maximum of 30 students):
$100 for initial program
$50   for each repeat of same program same day

Large Group Program (31 to 150 students):
$200 for initial program
$100 for each repeat of same program same day

Have the North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher come to your festival or fair. Participants will enjoy getting their picture taken with our giant inflatable spadefish or enjoy interacting with Aquarium educators. Interactive games, costumes, live animals and props introduce visitors to North Carolina’s natural world. Topics depend on your interests: sharks, reptiles, whales and dolphins, turtles, marine invertebrates- the possibilities are endless!

$250 for up to 4 hours
$75 each additional hour