Families can help feed breakfast to the animals, while budding marine biologists dive into the worlds of turtles, sharks and intertidal creatures, through fun public programs available in September at The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk.
The animal interactions begin on Tues., Sept. 15 with the first session in a weekly mommy-and-me-type series, “Seal Pups,” for ages 3 & 4.
On Sat., Sept. 19, focused single-session explorations are available to kids ages 3 & 4 (“A House for Hermit Crab” from 11 to 11:45 a.m.) and ages 5 to 7 (“Turtle Town” from 1 to 2 p.m.).
On Sat., Sept. 26, “Feeding Time,” from 8 to 10 a.m., gives families a chance to eat breakfast at the popular Connecticut attraction and then join the animal-husbandry staff as it serves finned and flippered creatures their first meals of the day. And later in the day, from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., kids age 8 to 10 can participate in “Shark Safari.”
A resource for marine education to regional school groups, The Maritime Aquarium is expanding its educational reach to also fulfill the interests of individuals.
Here are the public program details:
“Seal Pups” is five-part series meeting from 2 to 2:45 p.m. on Tuesdays from Sept. 15 to Oct. 13. Preschoolers (ages 3 & 4) participate with a parent or caregiver. They get a weekly up-close meeting with a live animal, a story that relates to the week’s topic and other activities inspired by marine animals. Cost is $125 for a child and caregiver; $110 for members. Each additional child, $100 (with same caregiver); $90 for members. Maximum 4 children per caregiver.
“A House for Hermit Crab” on Sept. 19 uses the popular Eric Carle story in connecting preschoolers (ages 3 & 4) with a variety of live crabs and mollusks. They examine how the creatures look and feel and classify them according to size, shape, movement styles and other attributes that promote early-childhood science skills. Cost: $25 per child; $20 for members. Each child must be accompanied by an adult. “A House for Hermit Crab” is available again on Sun., Oct. 25.
“Turtle Town” on Sept. 19 invites young herpetologists (ages 5 to 7) to compare turtles of land and sea to discover how the creatures are adapted to their different lifestyles. They examine the look and feel of real turtle shells, learn how baby sea turtles get to the ocean and, best of all, meet and touch a live terrapin. Cost is $25 per child ($20 for members). This is a “drop-off” program; parents or care-givers do not participate. “Turtle Town” will be presented again on Sun., Oct. 25.
In the “Feeding Time” program on Sept. 26, families enjoy a light breakfast in the Aquarium’s Cascade Café and then – prior to the Aquarium’s opening for the day – join the marine biologists on key stops of their morning rounds. Participants take a turn feeding the diamondback terrapins, horseshoe crabs and rays, and attend a private feeding of the seals. Best of all, they go behind-the-scenes to watch the feeding of the Aquarium’s large sharks. Cost is $50 per adult and $25 per child 12 & under ($45 & $20 for Aquarium members). Children must be age 5 or older. Another “Feeding Time” is planned for Sun., Oct. 18.
During “Shark Safari!” on Sept. 26, young adventurers (ages 8 to 10) examine real shark jaws, skin and other artifacts, and learn how superb adaptations have allowed sharks to survive for millions of years. They get a true feel for sharks during a young shark’s classroom visit; go to the “Ocean Beyond the Sound” exhibit for a close look at the Aquarium’s large sand tiger sharks; and meet more sharks and their cousins, the rays, at the Aquarium’s Shark & Ray Touch Pool. Cost is $25 per child ($20 for members). This is a “drop-off” program; parents or caregivers do not participate. Another “Shark Safari!” is planned for Sun., Oct. 18.
Aquarium admission is included for all registered program participants.
Advance registration is required for all public programs. Call (203) 852-0700, ext. 2206, or register online at www.maritimeaquarium.org under the “Fun & Learning” tab.