Logo
                       
  • PLAN YOUR VISIT
    • Tickets
    • Exhibits
    • Today at the Aquarium
    • Map
    • Groups
  • EXPERIENCES
    • Tours and Adventures
    • Free Programs
    • Special Events
    • Camps
  • PLAN YOUR EVENT
    • Birthdays & Sleepovers
    • Weddings
    • Private and Corporate
  • EDUCATION
    • Outreach
    • Teachers
    • Students
    • Field Trips
  • VOLUNTEER
    • Dive Volunteers
    • Teen Volunteer Program

  • Tickets & Reservations
  • Login
  • (0)
North Carolina Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores

Tickets & Reservations

TICKETS
Membership
Donations
Sip and Paint Night
Sea Glass Mosaic at the Aquarium
Indoor Programs
Outdoor Programs
Kids Summer Camps
School Groups
Outreach
Birthdays and Sleepovers
Scout Activities
Rent the Aquarium
Day Planner
Please Wait
{1}
##LOC[OK]##
{1}
##LOC[OK]## ##LOC[Cancel]##
{1}
##LOC[OK]## ##LOC[Cancel]##

Booking

Aquarium Scholars School Groups

Create a unique and exciting experience for your students or group, as you dive into the world of wonder and water with the Aquarium’s education programs. Journey from “North Carolina’s Mountains to the Sea” to be immersed in fun and learning with the
Aquarium’s most interesting animals.There are a variety of engaging learning opportunities for your group. Students can explore the Aquarium on a teacher-led tour, participate in a live animal program in the Big Rock Theater, research exhibits and species with interactive
scavenger hunts, or become scientists through hands-on classroom activities or outdoor field experiences.

PINE KNOLL SHORES

School Programs for PINE KNOLL SHORES near Atlantic Beach. Please check the location to make sure it is the Aquarium you intend to visit.

Teacher Led Tours

Aq Scholars NC Schools - Teacher-Led Tour

Welcome to the North Carolina Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores! Plan an unforgettable field trip to the Aquarium, 

where students dive into the world of wonder and water with a wide array of educational exhibits and programs.
Request

Education Programs

Aq Scholars Alligator Tales

Behind the toothy smile of this large wetland animal is a huge creature with armored skin and an incredible diet. Come see our live alligators that are uniquely adapted for survival.

$2 per student
Grades Pre-K-12, maximum 150
Request

Aq Scholars Jammin' Jellies

Float on in to discover the wonder of these misunderstood ocean drifters. The featured guest of this presentation is one of the Aquarium’s moon jellies. The discussion includes the life cycle and structure of this jammin’ jellyfish!

$2 per student
Grades 2-12, maximum 150
Request

Aq Scholars Sea Turtle Trails

Sea turtles are some of the oldest, most intriguing and fascinating reptiles on the planet. Explore the life history and adaptations of these threatened and endangered species.

$2 per student
Grades Pre-K-12, maximum 150
Request

Aq Scholars Slithering Serpents

Don’t be afraid! Come and learn the basics of these misunderstood creatures, and replace fear with fascination. A live snake tells the story of these amazing legless reptiles.

$2 per student
Grades Pre-K-12, maximum 150
Request

Aq Scholars Swamp Symphony

Educators help explore ectothermic friends by presenting live amphibians, life history facts, and the unique traits of a few of these important species.

$2 per student
Grades K-8, minimum 50
Request

Aq Scholars Wetland Wonders

Wetlands are muddy, murky and mysterious places. Come experience this mucky world and its slimy residents without leaving the Aquarium. 

$2 per student, Grades 3-8

Maximum 150, Program Length 45 minutes

 

Topics Covered: Movement, Physical Characteristics, Comparisons, Environmental Needs, Human Actions, Life Cycles, Variations, Energy Transfer, Environmental Changes, Ecosystems Biotic/Abiotic Factors, Stewardship, Competition, Water Quality, Climate Change, Human Impacts, Biodiversity, Depletion, Adaptations, Conservation, Natural Selection


Request

Special Activity Programs - Extra Fees Apply

Sch - Aquarium Scholars Shark Survivor - Outswim,

How do sharks survive challenges of nature and those presented by humans? The Aquarium's live shark displays provide an ideal living classroom for students to explore the challenges sharks face and how they have adapted to survive for more than 400 million years. Students tour shark exhibits to observe live shark behavior and adaptations, and touch models to discover sharks’ unique design.

Approximately 1.5 hours

Grades 1 and up, maximum 25 participants


Price: $6.00
Request

Sch- AQ Scholars InsideMollusks - Squid Dissection

What do squid, mussels and snails have in common? They’re all mollusks! Through scientific observations and squid dissection, students discover the special characteristics of the phylum Mollusca.

Approximately 1.5 hours

Grades 3 and up, maximum 25 participants


Price: $6.00
Request

Sch- Aquarium Scholars Wonderful Water

Introduce your group to the wonders of water! Students learn about the water cycle and the importance of clean water through hands-on water testing and animal explorations. Participants test the pH and salinity of several Aquarium exhibits to determine what types of wildlife survive in each environment.

Approximately 1.5 hours

Grades 3 and up, maximum 25 participants

 


Price: $6.00
Request

Sch- AQ Scholars Beachcomber's Biology

Take a hike down the beach to discover the importance of protecting this fragile habitat. Students learn the value of dune management and habitat protection as they discuss seashells, sea turtles and ocean waves.

Approximately 1 hour

Ages 8 and up, maximum 30 participants


Price: $5.00
Request

Sch - Aquarium Scholars Behind the Scenes Tour: At

Participants visit the Aquarium’s food preparation areas, animal holding areas and husbandry laboratories. The program features a spectacular view of the Living Shipwreck from above. Closed-toe shoes are required.

45 minutes

Ages 6 and up, maximum 15 participants


Price: $5.00
Request

Interpretive Animal Programs

Journey through North Carolina

Take a "journey" through the great state of North Carolina. Starting
with the mountains, explore the different habitats and ecosystems of the
state, eventually ending at the sea. Program includes live animals and
educational props from these habitats. Great for all ages. (1-1.5 hours) 

Can't have visitors come to your school? No problem, this program is also offered virtually via Zoom, Skype, or Teams!



LARGE GROUP PRESENTATION(S)
(61 to 150 participants)
$200 for the first offering of each large-group program
$100 for each repeated large-group program

MEDIUM GROUP PRESENTATION(S)
(31 to 60 participants)
$150 for the first offering of each medium-group program
$75 for each repeated medium-group program

SMALL GROUP PRESENTATION(S)
(30 or less participants)
$100 the first offering of each small-group program
$50 for each repeated small-group program
Request

Journey through North Carolina

Take a "journey" through the great state of North Carolina. Starting
with the mountains, explore the different habitats and ecosystems of the
state, eventually ending at the sea. Program includes live animals and
educational props from these habitats. Great for all ages. (1-1.5 hours) 

Can't have visitors come to your school? No problem, this program is also offered virtually via Zoom, Skype, or Teams!



LARGE GROUP PRESENTATION(S)
(61 to 150 participants)
$200 for the first offering of each large-group program
$100 for each repeated large-group program

MEDIUM GROUP PRESENTATION(S)
(31 to 60 participants)
$150 for the first offering of each medium-group program
$75 for each repeated medium-group program

SMALL GROUP PRESENTATION(S)
(30 or less participants)
$100 the first offering of each small-group program
$50 for each repeated small-group program
Request

Scaly Skins, No Fins

Have a close encounter with native reptiles of North Carolina’s land and sea. Learn about characteristics of this amazing group of slithering, sliding, swimming and crawling creatures. Discover where they live, what they eat and which ones may be hiding in your own backyard. See
and touch the scales and scutes of live turtles, snake and an alligator! Great for all ages.   (1 hour)

Can't have visitors come to your school? No problem, this program is also offered virtually via Zoom, Skype, or Teams!



LARGE GROUP PRESENTATION(S)
(61 to 150 participants)
$200 for the first offering of each large-group program
$100 for each repeated large-group program

MEDIUM GROUP PRESENTATION(S)
(31 to 60 participants)
$150 for the first offering of each medium-group program
$75 for each repeated medium-group program

SMALL GROUP PRESENTATION(S)
(30 or less participants)
$100 the first offering of each small-group program
$50 for each repeated small-group program
Request

Swamp Symphony

Explore the similarities and differences between reptiles and amphibians, and then examine the life cycles and adaptations of the two classifications. After an encounter with our ectothermic friends, transform your space into a swamp with interactive props and live frogs, toads and turtles. Grades: K–6 (1 hour)

Can't have visitors come to your school? No problem this program is also offered virtually via Zoom, Skype, or Teams! *Interactive props and noisemakers are not included in the virtual program*



LARGE GROUP PRESENTATION(S)
(61 to 150 participants)
$200 for the first offering of each large-group program
$100 for each repeated large-group program

MEDIUM GROUP PRESENTATION(S)
(31 to 60 participants)
$150 for the first offering of each medium-group program
$75 for each repeated medium-group program

SMALL GROUP PRESENTATION(S)
(30 or less participants)
$100 the first offering of each small-group program
$50 for each repeated small-group program
Request

Sea Turtle Trail

Sea turtles are some of the oldest, most intriguing and fascinating reptiles on the planet. Explore the life history and adaptations of these threatened and endangered species. Find out where hatchlings go during their time at sea, and what brings turtles back to the same North Carolina beaches where they hatched. See a loggerhead sea turtle, as well as examine sea turtle shells, skulls and other bones. Adaptable for all ages. (1 hour)

Can't have visitors come to your school? No problem, this program is also offered virtually via Zoom, Skype, or Teams!



LARGE GROUP PRESENTATION(S)
(61 to 150 participants)
$200 for the first offering of each large-group program
$100 for each repeated large-group program

MEDIUM GROUP PRESENTATION(S)
(31 to 60 participants)
$150 for the first offering of each medium-group program
$75 for each repeated medium-group program

SMALL GROUP PRESENTATION(S)
(30 or less participants)
$100 the first offering of each small-group program
$50 for each repeated small-group program
Request

Test Info

VISIT ALL FOUR NC AQUARIUM LOCATIONS

  • Roanoke Island
  • Pine Knoll Shores
  • Fort Fisher
  • Jennette's Pier

PINE KNOLL SHORES

Open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. From the mountains to the sea… Feel the spray of a mountain waterfall. Watch river otters play. Touch a stingray. Look a shark in the eye. Explore shipwrecks — without getting wet. See a rare white sea turtle. Thousands of aquatic animals take you on a journey from the state’s grand peaks to the open Atlantic, much as a raindrop makes its way to the ocean. See Plan Your Visit for more on these activities and other family fun at one of the coast’s most popular attractions.

Association of Zoos and Aquariums Logo Natural and Cultural Resources Logo
                       

MEMBERSHIP

Help support exciting new exhibits, fun educational experiences and vital conservation programs helping to save animals from extinction by joining the North Carolina Aquariums. Members receive a host of valuable benefits like free admission, but also take pride in supporting the Aquariums and their mission.

Become a Member Today

Sign up for E-News

About Us

Press Room

Employment

Contact Us

©   North Carolina Aquarium Society. All rights reserved.| Powered by Outbound Software