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  • Roanoke Island
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    • Visit
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    • Explore
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    • Education
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      • Adopt an Animal
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  • North Carolina Aquarium on Roanoke Island

    Tickets & Reservations

    Membership
    Tickets
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    Indoor Programs
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    Booking

    School Groups

    Visiting the aquarium with your school is a great way to bring education alive. We offer many opportunities for your students to learn more about marine environments.

    We encourage visitors to secure their tickets online in advance, as sellouts do happen.  Admission tickets must be purchased online. Buy tickets here.

    Request a Visit

    If you are interested in bringing a school group to the North Carolina Aquarium at Roanoke Island, please submit a REQUEST FORM.

     

    The aquarium offers many exciting hands-on programs for a variety of ages, ranging from animal encounters and field experiences, to investigative labs and overnight adventures! Check out these more in-depth opportunities for your students. Additional fees apply.

     

    Behind-the-Scenes Tours

    Outdoor Field Programs

    Labs & Dissections

    Special Indoor Programs

    Overnight Programs

    NC State Science Standards Reference:

    K-2nd NC Essential Science Standards.pdf

    3rd-5th NC Essential Science Standards.pdf

    6th-8th NC Essential Science Standards.pdf

    Teacher Led Tours

    North Carolina Schools

    A teacher led tour allows your group to explore the aquarium at your own pace. Groups are scheduled to avoid overcrowding and to make sure your visit is a memorable one.
    Request

    Out-of-State Schools

    A teacher led tour allows your group to explore the aquarium at your own pace. Groups are scheduled to avoid overcrowding and to make sure your visit is a memorable one.
    Request

    Behind-the-Scenes Tours

    School Behind-the-Scenes Tour

    Accompany an Aquarium educator to sneak a peek behind the scenes of different areas in the Aquarium. Visitors will see the exhibits and all the systems that keep them working, from a side normally viewed by staff only.

    Duration:  1 hour
    Closed toe shoes are required.

    This program is limited to 8 participants per tour, with a maximum of 4 tours per day.

    Ages: 8 and up.  We request 1 adult for every 6 students.

    $15.30 per Person

    To schedule a Behind-the-Scenes Tour for your group, please contact the Special Activities Coordinator at 252-475-2327.

    Shark Exhibit Tour for Schools

    Take a short visit behind the 285,000-gallon Graveyard of the Atlantic Exhibit.  Peek into the dive locker, learn about an out-of-site acclimation holding area, and get an overhead view of the largest exhibit in the Aquarium.
    Duration:  45 minutes
    Closed toe shoes are required.

    This program is limited to 12 participants per tour, with a maximum of 4 tours per day.

    Ages: 8 and up.  We request 1 adult for every 6 students.

    $17 per Person

    To schedule a Shark Exhibit Tour for your group, please contact the Special Activities Coordinator at 252-475-2327.

    Outdoor Field Programs

    Beach Exploration

    Students will accompany aquarium staff for a hands-on, get wet learning experience on the shore. This program takes place at Coquina Beach in south Nags Head, and groups can meet aquarium staff on site. Students will collect animals in the surf zone (temperatures permitting), participate in a marine debris clean up, and focus on the physical and ecological characteristics of the beach. Topics may include waves, tides, sea turtles, sand dunes, beach vegetation, erosion, and others on request. All collected animals will be identified and released.

    Duration:  1.5 hours
    Closed toe water shoes are required.

    This activity is limited to 25 students per program, with a maximum of 2 programs per day.

    NCES:  3.E.2,  3.E.2.1, 3.L.2,  3.L.2.2,  4.L.1,  4.L.1.1,  4.L.1.3,  5.L.2,  5.L.2.1,  5.L.2.2
    Grades: 3rd and up.  We request 1 adult for every 6 students.

    $8 per Person

    To schedule a Beach Exploration program for your group, please contact the Special Activities Coordinator at 252-475-2327.

    Wetlands Walk

    Join aquarium staff for a fun-filled learning experience in this catch and release program in a nearby salt marsh. We will travel to Oregon Inlet with nets and buckets to search for and collect some of the many animals that inhabit the marsh! Learn about an estuary, the sound, tides, and about the dynamic ecosystem at the marsh. All collected animals will be identified and released back into the sound.

    Duration:  1.5 hours
    This program must be scheduled around low tide.

    Closed toe water shoes are required.

    This activity is limited to 25 students per program, with a maximum of 2 programs per day.

    NCES:  3.E.2,  3.E.2.1,  3.L.2.2,  4.L.1,  4.L.1.1,  4.L.1.3,  5.L.2,  5.L.2.1,  5.L.2.2
    Grades: 3rd and up.  We request 1 adult for every 6 students.

    $8 per Person

    To schedule a Wetlands Walk program for your group, please contact the Special Activities Coordinator at 252-475-2327.

    What's the Catch?

    Cast your line and learn the basics needed to catch your first fish! Assemble tackle, bait your hook, identify fish species, and practice catch-and-release techniques. Bring your patience as we try our luck fishing from our Soundside Pier.

    Duration:  1.5 hours

    Closed toe shoes are required.

    This activity is limited to 12 students per program, with a maximum of 4 programs per day.

    Grades: K and Up.
    We request 1 chaperone for every 6 students.

    $12.75 per Person

    To schedule a What's the Catch? program for your group, please contact the Special Activities Coordinator at 252-475-2327.

    Labs & Dissections

    Squid Dissection

    Students will investigate the external and internal anatomy of a squid in this introductory dissection. Taxonomy, mollusks, and by-catch will be additional topics discussed.

    Duration:  1.5 hours

    A minimum of 10 students (or the equivalent fee of $100) is needed to hold a class.

    This program is limited to 30 students, with a maximum of 3 programs per day.

    NCES:  4.L.1,  4.L.1.1,   5.L.2.  &  5.L.2.2
    For grades 4 and up.  We request 1 adult for every 10 students.

    $10 per Student
    No Charge for Teachers

    To schedule a Squid Dissection Program for your group, please contact the Special Activities Coordinator at 252-475-2327.

    Shark Dissection

    Students take an up-close look at a dogfish shark to investigate external and internal shark anatomy. An introduction includes the use of video, biofacts, and other mediums. Students will work in groups of four to dissect a shark specimen. Additional specimens can be provided at an additional cost.

    Duration:  2 hours.

    A minimum of 10 students (or the equivalent fee of $150) is needed to hold a class.

    This program is limited to 25 students, with a maximum of 2 programs per day.

    NCES:  4.L.1,  4.L.1.1,   5.L.2,  5.L.2.2  &  5.L.2.3
    For grades 6 and up.  We request 1 adult for every 10 students.

    $15 per Student
    No Charge for Teachers


    To schedule a Shark Dissection Program for your group, please contact the Special Activities Coordinator at 252-475-2327.

    Special Indoor Programs

    Aqua Tots

    Children and teachers are encouraged to take advantage of some toddler time in the Aquarium. Designed for ages 2-5, these exciting interactive sessions will encourage hands on learning through free play, stories, crafts, and open time in the Aquarium. We will look at a different animal topic or ocean theme during each class and incorporate shapes, colors, numbers and sounds.

    Duration:  45 minutes

    This program is limited to 12 students per program, with a maximum of 4 programs per day. 

    NCES:  K.L.1,  K.L.1.1,   1.L.1,  1.L.1.1,  1.L.1.3,   1.L.2.,  1.L.2.2,  2.L.1 & 2.L.1.1 (Depends on topic)


    Ages: 2-5.  We request 1 adult for every 5 students.

    $6.80 per Child
    Regular admission rates apply for School Staff & Parents

    To schedule an Aqua Tots Program for your group, please contact the Special Activities Coordinator at 252-475-2327.

    Choose Your Own Animal Adventure

    Want your students to learn more, but don't see what you are looking for?  Need some help with your curriculum or a state standard?  Our team of Aquarium educators can help you build your own program tailored specifically to your needs.  Select from a variety of topics including sharks, reptiles, mammals, invertebrates, fish, and more.  Each presentation can include live animals (when applicable), interactive exhibits, and a grade-level appropriate activity.

    Minimum of 10 participants.

    This program is limited to 120 participants (or determined by topic selection), with a maximum of 4 programs per day.

    NCES:  K.L.1.1, 1.L.1.1, 1.L.1.3, 1.L.2.2, 2.L.1.1 (Depends on Topic), & 4.L.1.1

    Grades: K-12.  We request 1 adult for every 6 students.

    Half-Hour Program:  $3 per Person

    One-Hour Program:  $5 per Person

    To schedule a Choose Your Own Animal Adventure Program for your group, please contact the Special Activities Coordinator at 252-475-2327.


    Gyotaku

    Students will learn some basics about fish and have an opportunity to be creative with their fish prints in this artistic program. The program opens with a lesson on fish anatomy and adaptations, and the history of Gyotaku. Students will then have time to design prints of their own and practice the Japanese art of fish printing. One T-shirt is provided for each participant, or students may bring their own t-shirt for an adjusted price. All other art materials are provided.

    Duration:  1.5 hours

    This program is limited to 15 students per program, with a maximum of 3 programs per day.

    NCES:  K.L.1,   K.L.1.1

    Grades: K and Up.  We request 1 adult for every 6 students.

    $16.15 per Participant, plus regular admission - All materials provided.
    $12 per Participant who provides their own shirt.
    No Charge for School Faculty

    To schedule a Gyotaku Program for your group, please contact the Special Activities Coordinator at 252-475-2327.


    Otter Enrichment Hour

    The river otters at the Aquarium love their snacks! Learn about otter behavior, biology, and the importance of enrichment. Students will design an enrichment object to be shared with these playful animals, and get to see the otters enjoy the newly designed "toys" filled with treats.
    Duration:  1.5 hours

    This activity is limited to 25 students per program, with a maximum of 1 program per day.

    Grades: K and Up.  We request 1 adult for every 6 students.

    $10 per Student
    No charge for Teachers

    To schedule an Otter Enrichment Hour Program for your group, please contact the Special Activities Coordinator at 252-475-2327.


    Overnight Programs

    Sleeping with the Sharks

    If you’re looking for a one-of-a-kind experience, join us at the North Carolina Aquarium on Roanoke Island for an overnight program that will have your group “swimming” with excitement for months! Groups can slumber in front of the 285,000-gallon Graveyard of the Atlantic exhibit, as sharks and other fish swim close by. This program is for private groups and includes two programs, Aquarium tour time, an evening snack, and a light breakfast for your enjoyment and education.

    Participants must be ages 6 and older.

    CHOOSE TWO OF THE FOLLOWING PROGRAMS:
    Turtles, Snakes, Sharks, Touch Pool Talk, Ocean Jeopardy, Night Hike, and Gyotaku (Fish Printing).

    $50.00 per Person
    $100 Deposit is required upon making your reservation.

    MINIMUM OF 15 PARTICIPANTS OR $750.00.


    For more details or to register for an Overnight, please contact our Special Activities Coordinator at
    (252)-475-2327.

    Roanoke Island
    Pine Knoll Shores
    Fort Fisher
    Jennette's Pier
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