Virtual Resources
Learn, laugh and explore with zoos and aquariums online
As the world is spending more time inside social distancing, it is now more important than ever to use new ways to stay connected with nature and learning. The following Alliance member organizations have created innovative online field trips and educational resources that allow people to meet animals and virtually explore zoos, aquariums and marine life parks while staying safe at home.
Like everyone else, you and your families are taking precautions and practicing "social distancing". You’re working or studying from home and maybe helping your children with their school work. At this time of year, countless schools would have been visiting their local aquariums, dolphin facilities, and zoos for in person field trips and other experiential education.
While you can't make those trips in person now, Alliance member organizations are bringing the visits to you. Several of our members are offering live presentations via social media platforms, creating innovative, online field trips, presenting great distance learning programs and providing other educational resources.
You can virtually visit and explore zoos, aquariums, and marine life parks while remaining safe at home!
Check out the offerings of these accredited Alliance members:
Aquarium Poema del Mar
- Cost: Free
- Details: Daily video/photo updates of animal care, Fun Facts, Unique Visitor Experience, LIVE sessions in Stories
- Links: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter
- Social Media Campaign #AtHomeWithPoemaDelMar
Brookfield Zoo
- Cost: Free
- Details: Daily Facebook Live broadcasts
- Links: Bring the Zoo to You
Coral World Ocean Park
- Cost: Free Facebook Live, Distance Learning Programs available for a fee
- Details: Facebook Live broadcasts M/W/F each week
- Virtual Encounters: Celebrate special occasions with Dolphins or Sea Lions
- Links: www.coralworldvi.com; Facebook; Instagram; YouTube
Dolphin Discovery
- Cost: Free
- Details: Free Virtual Field Trips, Facebook and Instagram live broadcasts
- Links: Facebook, Instagram
Dolphin Quest (Bermuda)
- Cost: Distance Learning/Virtual Field Trips available for a fee
- Details: Virtual Field trips offered Monday - Friday, September-April
- Links: Education Resources, Virtual Education, Website, Facebook, Instagram , YouTube
Dolphin Research Center
- Cost: Free for Facebook Live. Distance Learning Programs available for a fee. We also offer a range of fun activities, coloring pages, information and more for free on our website.
- Details: Facebook Live broadcasts, 1 p.m. eastern time on Wednesdays; Distance Learning easily scheduled.
- Links: Facebook Live from the Lagoons, Distance Learning Programs, DRC website for Fun & Games
Georgia Aquarium
- Cost: Free
- Details: Facebook Live broadcasts, webcams and other distance learning resources
- Links: At-Home Learning; Animal Guide; Webcams; Georgia Aquarium YouTube Channel; Facebook Live
- Resources for educators and parents:
- Field Trip Fridays - Georgia Aquarium teams up with other Atlanta organizations to bring you fun and educational content.
- Field Guide – Engage your students through exploration and active learning by using the background information and guided learning questions.
-
Aquarium Love Stories Animals are the heart of Georgia Aquarium. Go behind the scenes with the remarkable teams who care for these animals every day.
-
Deep Sea Learning – The Education team shares real life scenarios that help students learn about the sea and its many creatures. Accompanying study guides reinforce information sharedin the video as well as provide instructions for the associated activity. New sessions released on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
- STEAM Forward – Our video series highlights the variety of STEAM careers within our organization, featuring behind-the-scenes experts, and corresponding curricular material.
- Lesson Plans – Plans and guides for grades K-12.
- Web Resources – A listing of federal, state and nonprofit organizations with information, lesson plans and activities related to aquatic subjects.
Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park
- Cost: Free Educational Facebook and YouTube videos/Virtual Adventure available for a fee
- Details: Virtual Field Trip Adventures offered Monday-Friday Labor Day through February
- Links: Gulfarium Virtual Field Trip Adventures, Facebook, YouTube
Lisbon Zoo
- Cost: Free
- Details: Encounters with the Zoo Biologists for families through Zoom; online camp activities for children from ages 3 to 16 years old; ZOO@Home for schools; video lessons for all grades, according to the school curricula and recognized by the Portuguese Education Minister; Educational resources for teachers and students.
- Links: www.zoo.pt; https://www.zoo.pt/pt/educar/zoo-em-casa/, https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtRQsozvlnEFt3rm8-Sx9Qw
Loro Parque – Animal Embassy
- Cost: Free
- Details: Daily video/photo updates of animal care at Loro Parque – Animal Embassy Enhanced Visitor Experience, Virtual Tours, 360º Immersion Videos, Ambient Videos with Animal Sounds, “Moment for Yourself” Videos, Fun Activities for Children (to do at home)
- Links: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter
- Social Media Campaign #AtHomeWithLoroParque (in three languages)
Marineland Dolphin Adventure
- Cost: Free Facebook virtual activities, Distance Learning field trips for a fee
- Details: Virtual Tours and Do-At-Home Activities
- Links: Facebook, Virtual Field Trips
Minnesota Zoo
- Cost: Free
- Details: Learning Corner – educational resources for teachers and families, Virtual Farm Babies – celebrate the springtime tradition of Farm Babies from your very own home (starting April 13)
- Links: Learning Corner, Virtual Farm Babies
Mississippi Aquarium
- Cost: Fee is based on program type
- Details: Quality and engaging virtual field trips aligned with Mississippi's state standards
- Links: Virtual Field Trips
Mystic Aquarium
- Cost: Free
- Details: Daily on Weekdays - Facebook or YouTube Live broadcasts; Live Animal Exhibit Webcams; Ocean Ambassadors; 9 playlists to choose from on YouTube Channel including Aquarium Rehab, Story Time, 60 Seconds of Science, and Ocean Ambassador's Conservation for All; and online educational resources
- Links: Facebook Live, YouTube Channel, Animal Webcams, Ocean Ambassadors, and Fun & Learning online educational resources
- Costs: Vary
- Details: Virtual Conservation Education Programs; After School Virtual Enrichment; Virtual Encounters with belugas, African penguins, Steller sea lions, or Northern fur seals/harbor seals/and a spotted seal; Virtual Paint With programs that include the mailed paining with belugas, African penguins, seals, rays or a reptile
- Links: Virtual Conservation Education & After School Programs; Virtual Encounters & Paint With Programs
National Marine Mammal Foundation (NMMF)
- Cost: Free
- Details: Educational Worksheets, Activities, and Videos
- Links: Online Learning
Ocean Connections
- Cost: Free Facebook Live sessions, TikTok Lives, and Virtual Field Trips
- Details: Facebook Live broadcasts TikTok Lives and Virtual Field Trips
- Links: Facebook Live, TikTok, Virtual Field Trip,
Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium
- Cost: Free Facebook Live sessions, Free Educational YouTube videos
- Details: Facebook Live broadcasts and educational YouTube videos
- Links: Educational YouTube Videos, Facebook Live
SeaLife Park
- Cost: Free
- Details: “Bring the Park To You” virtual series on social media and educational resources
- Links: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Educational Resources, Educational Videos
SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment
- Cost: Free
- Details: Standards-aligned Teacher Guides, Classroom Activities, and Saving a Species videos
- Links: Teacher Guides, Classroom Activities, Saving a Species videos, SeaWorld Orlando Education, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay Education
Theater of the Sea
- Cost: Free
- Details: Daily Animal Trainer Videos
- Links: Facebook
Vancouver Aquarium
- Cost: Free.
- Details: Live cameras to monitor animal habitats, online learning portals
- Links: Live Cams, Online Ocean learning portal
Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center
- Cost: Range
- Details: Virtual Programs for educators, at-home learning resources, fun science activities and games for families, entertaining educational videos, and more!
Links:
- Virtual Programs - We offer a variety of programs for schools and educators to bring science learning right to you, virtually. We also offer special age-appropriate virtual programs for Toddlers.
- At-Home Learning - Our education team has created an extensive supply of science lessons and activities for all grade levels, free for families to enjoy.
- Social Media - Stay connected with the latest uploads of educational videos and announcements on Instagram and Facebook and browse our YouTube channel for all of our virtual tours, recorded feeding and training sessions, and fun science experiments offered by our education team.