The New England Aquarium is committed to providing interactive and informative programming for students in homeschool programs.
Please check out our offerings below and thank you for choosing us for your next homeschool field trip.
Homeschool Days
On Mondays between September 13 and December 20, 2021, the New England Aquarium invites homeschool families to take advantage of special pricing during a visit to the Aquarium.
RATES AND RESERVATIONS
Homeschool families can buy tickets in advance or at the Aquarium’s Box Office at the MA school rate of admission ($10.00 for children enrolled in K-12 and $19.00 for adults). When you make your reservation at least one business day in advance via telephone, you are eligible to receive one free chaperone ticket per homeschool family.
Homeschool Field Trip days will be available to book on September 7, 2021. To book your tickets, please call Reservations at 617-973-5206.
Contact groupsales@neaq.org for more information.
Fall 2021 Homeschool Virtual Animal Encounters
Penguins, marine mammals, and Caribbean species come alive during the Fall 2021 Homeschool Virtual Animal Encounters at the New England Aquarium!
On Thursdays, September 16, 2021, October 21, 2021, November 18, 2021, and December 16, 2021, the New England Aquarium invites families who homeschool their children to attend and experience special virtual programming.
RATES AND RESERVATIONS
Individual Program Session Pricing: $25.00 per family per session.
Member Program Session Pricing: $22.50 per family per session.
To book your tickets, please call Reservations at 617-973-5206.
September 16, 2021 at 11:00 am: Penguin Encounter
Learn what it takes to care for a colony of over 70 penguins! Our penguin experts will share some remarkable facts about penguins and the excellent care they receive, and how you can take action to protect these incredible animals.
October 21, 2021 at 11:00 am: Giant Ocean Tank Encounter
Explore what it takes to care for the Aquarium’s largest exhibit! Go behind-the-scenes with an aquarist to meet the Caribbean species who live in this 200,000-gallon habitat, and the diving and other equipment we use to maintain it. We’ll also share what you can do to conserve delicate reef ecosystems around the world!
November 18, 2021 at 12:00 pm: Sea Lion or Fur Seal Encounter
Join our marine mammal trainers in the New Balance Foundation Marine Mammal Center for a training session with a California sea lion or northern fur seal. Learn about how we train, why we train, and what you can do to protect the ocean environment for these amazing animals.
December 16, 2021 at 11:00 am: Harbor Seal Encounter
Engage with a marine mammal trainer as they conduct a training session with an Atlantic Harbor Seal, located outside on the Front Plaza. Learn about how we train, why we train, and what you can do to protect the ocean environment for these amazing animals.
Activities for Homeschoolers
Below, find activities to help you explore the Aquarium more deeply. These activities encourage content learning and improve science skills as well as support math and literacy development. You can choose to focus on ecology, ethology, or zoology, or focus on the skills practiced. Pick a focus area to guide your own experience through the Aquarium. Aquarium educators will be available to help you work on these investigations. Each activity includes a list of recommended materials to bring with you. A pencil and clipboard are always recommended.
Aquarium Activities
Topics and Skills
Skills
Observation
Data and
MeasurementCommunication and
LiteracyEcology
(study of ecosystems)
Visit the Giant Ocean Tank (GOT)
Ethology
(study of
animal behavior)Zoology
(study of
animal life)
Fish mouths
Bony Fish (Bony Fish Guide, GOT Fishes Guide)
Rescue Blog*Get at-home extensions for our Simons Theatre movies.
*iNaturalist is a great free resource for identifying organisms you find in the field (you can even try your hand at helping others identify their finds!). Works on computer or mobile device.