Teacher Resources

Let the Oregon Coast Aquarium help you integrate Ocean Literacy into your classroom!

Teacher Open Houses 

Fieldtrips are a ton of fun but can be challenging too! Let us show you how the Aquarium’s Education Programs can help you meet your classroom needs. Present your educator badge at the Aquarium on these days and receive FREE admission! Grade appropriate materials and handouts will be available to guide you through exhibits. Tour our classroom and discover what standard-specific labs we have to offer student groups. Door prizes and behind the scene tours will also fill these days of fun! Educators will receive free admission; family members will pay normal admission rates. If you are not able to make these days, sign up to receive Aquarium Education email newsletters; or find us on Twitter and Facebook, too! 
Upcoming Open Houses:
  • No open houses are currently scheduled.  Please check back again.

Curriculum:  

All of our education materials have been aligned with the Oregon Department of Education and the national education common curriculum goals and are designed to help students meet and exceed standards in several disciplines. These activities are designed to extend your trip to the Aquarium but can also be used as stand alone lessons. Some lessons are available for download in Spanish.

Self Guided Visit Materials

Lab Program Materials

K – 3rd grade

Fins, Beaks and Flippers
Sea Cycles · (Spanish version)
Tidepool Talk · (Spanish version)
What’s for Lunch · (Spanish version)

4th – 5th grade

Awesome Adaptations
Fins, Flippers and Flukes · (Spanish version)
Feeding Frenzy · (Spanish version)
Forest Beneath the Sea

6th – 8th grade

Conservation Can’t Wait
Ocean Commotion · (Spanish version)

9th – 12th grade

Phantastic Phyla
Life Without Light

Mixed Ages

It’s a Rough Life · (Spanish version)


Outreach Program Materials

K - 2nd grade

Tales of Whales
Flippers, Fur and Fun
No Bones About 'Em
Shark Shenanigans

3rd - 5th grade

What About Whales?
From Tubefeet to Tentacles
Dressed for Success
Sense-sational Sharks

Marine Science Kits

Our education staff has developed loan kits for teachers to use in their classrooms. Topics include: sharks, whales, rocky shore invertebrates or seals, sea lions and sea otters. These kits are designed to support the Aquarium's statewide outreach efforts. Each kit includes books, videos, touchable items such as real shark jaws and whale tooth models, plush animal models and a booklet of information and activities for the K-5 classroom. Kits are available form select Educational Service Districts (ESD's) throughout the state. Schools served by the following ESD's can check out a loan kit at no charge.

  • Lane Education Service District
  • Malheur Education Service District
  • South Coast Education Service District
  • Northwest Regional Education Service District
  • Southern Oregon Education Service District
  • Douglas Education Service District
  • Lincoln County Education Service District (through the Aquarium directly)

Please contact your local ESD to have one sent to your school. For more information regarding our marine science kits, please call (541) 867-3474 or send us an e-mail at education@aquarium.org.

Ask the Educators

You have questions about the content of our classes or have general questions about marine science, please feel free to send us an e-mail at education@aquarium.org. To schedule a visit or program contact our group coordinator at 541-867-3474.

Other good websites to visit with reliable marine science information: