Free Open House for Teachers at The Maritime Aquarium on February 24

Teachers are invited to preview educational opportunities in free Open House at The Maritime Aquarium on February 24

Educators are invited to a free after-hours open house on Wed., Feb. 24 to learn how The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk’s programs and resources ¬¬– including its unique new research vessel – will enhance lessons to their students.

The event, called “Fish School,” runs from 4 to 7 p.m. Purpose of the free evening is to show teachers the many ways they can connect their students and curricula with the Aquarium’s unique educational programs, which help to fulfill state, Common Core and Next Generation Science standards.

“Our goal is for the Aquarium to be an extension of every classroom in the entire region,” said Tom Naiman, the Aquarium’s director of education. “We consider teachers and students to be our priority audience, and our catalog of brand-new programs is designed to support and extend the school curriculum.”

Naiman added that educators of every variety are invited, such as those who present educational content at libraries, community centers and other resources apart from schools.

The most exciting new Aquarium asset is the research vessel Spirit of the Sound™. The $2.7 million, 64-foot catamaran is the country’s only research vessel with a hybrid-electric propulsion system, making it bigger, quieter and greener than the Aquarium’s former diesel-powered trawler. The new boat is equipped with a larger touch tank and larger classroom space, a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) for viewing the sea floor, microscopes connected to a large TV monitor, and other assets for teaching marine science out on Long Island Sound.

“Our Marine Life Study Cruises for grades 3 and up are experiential learning at its best,” Naiman said. “And this spring we’ll be introducing new programs on Oceanography and Environmental Science for high school students on the new vessel as well.”


During “Fish School,” educators can tour R/V Spirit of the Sound and also sample some of The Maritime Aquarium’s most popular educational programs, from microscope discoveries to squid dissections.

IMAX® movies can be incorporated into classroom lessons through educational guides created by the films’ producers. On Feb. 24, teachers can preview two films in Connecticut’s largest IMAX Theater. Showing on the six-story screen will be “Flight of the Butterflies” at 5 p.m. and the just-released “National Parks Adventure” at 6 p.m. (“National Parks Adventure” is available to school groups at the Aquarium beginning Feb. 12, but won’t open to the public until Memorial Day Weekend.)

Also on-hand for the evening will be the Aquarium’s new president, Dr. Brian Davis, who – prior to coming to Norwalk in December 2014 – was vice president of education and training at The Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta.

Admission, a light dinner and parking are all free for “Fish School.” However, space is limited and advance registration is required. (As this is a professional event, for educators only, no children or spouses, please.)

Register now at reservations@maritimeaquarium.org or call (203) 852-0700, ext. 2206.

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Submitted by Southbury, CT

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