Each year, Community Programs provides free outreach programs to more than 12,000 inner-city children and families at after-school programs, community centers, camps, libraries, boys and girls clubs and community and neighborhood events. Our visits, outreaches and events are available to organizations within Boston and Cambridge.

Community Visits

Free Aquarium admission is offered to many children from Boston community-based organizations. For more information or to schedule an Aquarium visit for your organization, please fill out the community program application form.


School groups are not eligible for free admission through this program. School groups can apply for free admission as part of the Aquarium's "Free to Learn" Free Admission Program.


Community Outreach

Aquarium staff and teen interns present hands-on traveling exhibits that allow children to observe, touch and learn about marine animals and habitats. Programs are built on solid scientific materials presented in a fun, interactive way to foster an interest in aquatic life and build environmental awareness.


For more information or to schedule an Aquarium visit or a community outreach program for your organization, please fill out the community program application form.


Community outreach programs only travel to schools for afterschool programs; see school programs for more information. Below are some popular community outreach programs.

Traveling Tidepool Outreach Program

Our popular traveling tidepool exhibit is our most effective off-site educational tool for groups in Boston and Cambridge. The program allows participants to handle and observe a wide range of live tidal pool animals from local waters.

Shark Cart Outreach Program

In this program, participants handle real shark jaws and skin, identify the biggest and smallest sharks and learn about the many special adaptations that make sharks efficient predators.

Penguin Outreach Program

This program teaches participants about penguin biology and behavior. Learn about the biggest and smallest species of penguins, where they live and how fast they can swim!

Booking a Tidepool Outreach for Your Special Event

For organizations within Boston and Cambridge:
Our Tidepool Open House may be able to visit your festival or event. For more information or to see if your organization is eligible, please visit the community program application form.

For organizations outside Boston and Cambridge:
The Tidepool Open House program is also available to organizations outside Boston and Cambridge as a fee-based program. The program can last from two to five hours, depending on your event. For more details or pricing information, please contact communityprograms@neaq.org.

Questions? Contact Community Programs at 617-973-0281 or communityprograms@neaq.org.