Calling all Homeschool Students! Join us for a fun and educational day of learning at the Aquarium during one of our Homeschool Programs. The Oregon Coast Aquarium is a living classroom for all learners and offers a unique opportunity to discover the wildlife and ecosystems of the Oregon coast.
See below for details regarding our next two Homeschool Day date and events below.
Join us Thursday, November 5th for a fun and educational day of learning at the Aquarium! We will be hosting several Educational Programs (registration required) for homeschool students throughout the day as well as a variety of open-access activities (no pre-registration required).
Check back closer to the event for a finalized schedule! Program names and descriptions subject to change.
| Time | Program | Location |
|---|---|---|
|
10:00am – 5:00pm |
Welcome Table |
Lobby |
|
10:30am |
Animal Care 101* |
Classroom |
|
10:30am |
Plankton Investigation* |
Gleason |
|
10:30am |
Otter Feed |
Otter Habitat |
|
10:45am |
Storytime |
Rocky Coast |
|
11:00am |
Pinniped Feeding |
Pinniped Habitat |
|
11:15am |
Animal Care 101* |
Classroom |
|
11:15am |
Plankton Investigation* |
Gleason |
|
11:30am |
Pelican Presentation |
Pelican Stage |
|
12:00pm |
Ambassador Animal Presentation |
Amazon Basin Stage |
|
12:00pm |
Animal Care 101* |
Classroom |
|
12:00pm |
Plankton Investigation* |
Gleason |
|
1:00pm |
Otter Feed |
Otter Habitat |
|
1:30pm |
Ambassador Animal Presentation |
Amazon Basin Stage |
|
1:30pm |
So You Want To Be An Aquarist?* |
Classroom |
|
1:30pm |
Kelp Forest Hide & Seek* |
Gleason |
|
2:00pm |
Aviary Feeding |
Seabird Aviary |
|
2:15pm |
So You Want To Be An Aquarist?* |
Classroom |
|
2:15pm |
Kelp Forest Hide & Seek* |
Gleason |
|
2:30pm |
Pinniped Feeding |
Pinniped Habitat |
|
3:00pm |
Otter Feeding |
Otter Habitat |
|
3:00pm |
So You Want To Be An Aquarist?* |
Classroom |
|
3:00pm |
Kelp Forest Hide & Seek* |
Gleason |
*registration required
Spaces are limited.
Learn more about our available programs!
Three 30 minute sessions offered:
Open to all ages, recommended for Pre-K – 2nd grade
Join us for a fun and imaginative look at how we care for aquarium animals and other wildlife! Help us treat pretend “patients,” play a training game, and more!
Three 30 minute sessions offered:
Open to all ages, recommended for 3rd – 5th grade
Discover the world of plankton! Use scientific tools to collect microscopic life from the Yaquina Bay and examine the external structures of plankton.
Three 30 minute sessions offered:
Open to middle and high school students only.
Ever wonder what it’s like to work at an Aquarium? Get the inside scoop from a staff member! Learn about the skills and training required, get advice from our fish and invertebrate team, and try your hand at making seawater.
Three 30 minute sessions offered:
Open to all ages, recommended for K-5
What do otter pups, urchin and kelp have in common? Find out as we investigate one of our ocean’s most diverse habitats – a kelp forest! Study the similarities and differences between each incredible organism that call this place a home.
No problem!
Don’t want to register for a program? Drop by a keeper talk, animal cart, challenge yourself to become a Jr. Aquarist, or many other non-registration activities throughout the day.
Check out our full schedule of registration and non-registration events above, or check out our Plan Your Visit page for animal feed times and more!
Yes. General admission is required for all visitors and can be purchased online or at Admissions on arrival. For more details, please visit: aquarium.org/visit/hours/#tickets. There is no additional cost for the Educational Programs available just for Homeschool Day.
Yes! Homeschool families are eligible for the school group rate for admission. To be eligible, you must book your visit as a field trip through our Group Bookings Coordinator (groups@aquarium.org) at least 2 weeks before your visit. November is also the Northwest Attractions Alliance Reciprocal Membership month for the Oregon Coast Aquarium (aquarium.org/support/membership/membership-reciprocity/). For other discounts please visit our discounts page.
You can cancel through Eventbrite up to 24 hours before the event. We appreciate you taking the time to cancel so that other families can sign up as space becomes available. Aquarium admission tickets are good for a year from their date of purchase.
All Educational Programs are 30 minutes
Please arrive at your check-in location at least 5 minutes prior to the program’s start time. The check-in location can be found in each program’s description and in the full schedule of events.
To help us manage room capacity, each individual who will be in the room during the class must reserve a seat. This includes the student, guardian, and other siblings.
Yes. To help us manage room capacity, each individual who will be in the room during the class must reserve a seat. This includes the student, guardian, and other siblings.
While all of the Educational Programs will take place indoors, the Aquarium has both indoor and outdoor areas and activities like Feeding Talks and the Pelican Presentation take place outdoors. Animal Ambassador presentations and Marine Storytime are moved indoors on rainy days.
Yes! The Aquarium’s Moon Jelly Cafe and Coffee Shop will both be open on Homeschool Day! For hours and menus, please visit our dining page.
Not able to join us this March? Our next Homeschool day is March 4, 2027–check back closer to the event date for updates and to register!
Have you heard about our
Homeschool Discount?
Take advantage of our school group discount rate and use the field trip booking form for your next visit!
Since opening in 1992, the Oregon Coast Aquarium has been a premier attraction on Oregon’s central coast and an enduring advocate for the health of our ocean. For over three decades this 501(c)3 non-profit organization has supported marine wildlife and fostered environmental stewardship through its education programs, community partnerships, and rehabilitation efforts. Accredited by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums, the Oregon Coast Aquarium is consistently ranked as one of the top 10 aquariums in the U.S., providing visitors with opportunities to connect with 15,000 animals spanning 300 different species. The Oregon Coast Aquarium is located at 2820 S.E. Ferry Slip Rd., Newport, OR. Learn more about the Oregon Coast Aquarium and its vital work at aquarium.org, 541-867-3474. Follow us on Facebook or Twitter for the latest updates.
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